Master of Arts in Theological Studies

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) program is designed to serve as an intermediate degree for further graduate programs in biblical and theological studies. It is also designed to provide advanced biblical and theological training for ministers who want to enhance their ministry in specialized areas such as teaching and church related writing.

All courses are offered seated, online and virtual. 

Degree Components and Requirements

The MATS is a two-year program of study requiring 48 credits. However, applicants with a strong undergraduate program in religion may petition for Advanced Standing in the program, which could allow them to complete the program with 39 credits or approximately four semesters of study. (See MATS Advanced Standing below).

For courses successfully completed as an undergraduate, a student may substitute an advanced course. (See the Master of Divinity degree in this Catalog for examples.)

In addition to the general requirements for graduation, graduation requirements for the MATS program also include a supervised seminar-quality research paper (in BNT/BOT/MHT/PCS/THE 646). 

4+1 Theological Studies Program

AGTS has an accelerated MATS program in conjunction with Evangel University. Students earn a BA/BS at Evangel University in four years and finish the MATS degree in one more year (27 credits, 9 each fall, spring, and summer semesters). Students must enroll in one of the University's Department of Theology and Global Church Ministries programs, the College of Online Learning Church Ministries program, or complete a Pre-seminary minor. In their undergraduate program, students complete 12 hours of seminary courses. (See the College of Arts and Sciences Theology and Global Church Ministries section of this Catalog for more information.) 

Advanced Standing

Students who have earned a significant number of credits in religious studies from approved colleges and universities may request exemption from certain required courses in the MATS degree program, thus granting them Advanced Standing. Life experience does not qualify for Advanced Standing.

The following rules apply:

1. Advanced Standing cannot exceed nine credits.
2. Advanced Standing is considered for undergraduate courses with satisfactory parallel content, provided the equivalent collegiate courses are double the credit value of the Seminary's courses. A minimum grade of Bis required, and the student must demonstrate competency in subject matter by presentation of an Advanced Standing Portfolio for each course for which Advanced Standing is desired. A fee of $50 per course is charged for each portfolio that is evaluated whether or not the Advanced Standing is granted.
3. Advanced Standing must be requested prior to enrollment but no later than the end of the student's first semester of study at AGTS. Requests should be submitted to the Assistant Registrar for Online and Graduate Studies.
4. Partial course Advanced Standing cannot be granted.
5. If the student later takes a course where Advanced Standing has been granted, the Advanced Standing would be nullified.
6. Advanced Standing may be granted for courses listed in the categories "Mission of God and World Christianity" and "Bible and Theology."
7. In an area where a student demonstrates competency, but the criteria preclude Advanced Standing, a substitute course may be allowed if approved by the faculty advisor and Dean.
8. All AGTS master programs must be completed within a 10-year time limit, which includes any undergraduate courses used for Advanced Standing and any graduate courses transferred in from other schools.

MATS Assessment-Based Credit Equivalency

For those who cannot fit within the 10-year window for Advanced Standing, there is the option for an Assessment-based Credit Equivalency.

AGTS permits up to 9 credits assessment­ based credit equivalency in the MAIS, MATS and MLM programs (for students whose undergraduate credits were acquired more than 8 years prior to starting an AGTS degree) for three BTH core classes:

• BNT 530
• BOT 530
• THE elective/ THE 531 or THE 532

To fulfill this, the student will take an exam in the topic with a written component and a short oral (via online) follow-up exam with a professor in the topical area, which is graded on a pass/fail scale. A fee of $100 for each core class examination will be charged to the student's account, regardless of whether or not the Advanced Standing is granted.