The Master of Arts in Theological Studies exposes students to key questions and concerns in the fields of biblical studies, theology and practical ministry. Drawing from our specific focus on the Bible, graduates of the MATS program at HCU can responsibly bring the ancient texts of Christian Scripture into dialogue with historical, theological, and contemporary concerns.
Ministry in a multifaceted world requires multifaceted preparation. The embedded certificate allows you to receive the theological and biblical preparation you need for a sustained ministry, together with focused training to equip you for the ministry to which God has called you.
Our faculty and students represent a range of evangelical traditions and denominations. We welcome anyone who would wish to study with us.
Advantages and Opportunities of a Masters in Theological Studies
Through close interaction with experienced faculty in small, seminar-style classes, students in the MATS program will be challenged to grow intellectually and spiritually as servant leaders. One of the greatest strengths of our program is the personal interaction with faculty. Our MATS classes are capped at 15 students each, which allows us to get to know you personally. In addition, rather than always lecturing and merely giving you all the right answers, our classes are primarily seminar-style. We read texts together and discuss them in community, allowing us all to learn from the diverse ministry experiences of those in the classroom. This not only encourages a deeper engagement with texts and ideas, but for those looking toward future study, it prepares for the type of discussion in PhD seminars.
Most students preparing for ministry pursue some type of graduate degree. The Master of Divinity (MDiv) has been the standard degree as it provides the most well-rounded and robust training for ministry. We offer a 75-hour MDiv, but for students who wish to pursue a more academically focused and shorter degree, our 40-hour MATS gives the core foundation desired by churches, while also providing flexibility in course selection. We offer the majority of our classes in the evening, in classes that meet one night per week, so you can easily wrap your studies around your work commitments.
The majority of our students are pursuing a vocation of church ministry, and our ecclesially engaged faculty are well-suited to help you in your preparation. Besides the variety of past church ministry experiences that we bring, many of our faculty currently serve as pastors and interim pastors. At the same time, some of you might be considering a PhD. Many of our faculty, some with degrees from world-class research universities, are engaged in research and publishing. Students from our programs have advanced to complete additional graduate work, including MAs and PhDs, at Yale University, Duke University, Manchester University, and the University of St Andrews. The option to write a thesis is especially helpful for those looking in this direction.