Master of Arts (Theology)
Critical Dates and Deadlines
February 1
Priority Scholarship Deadline
May 1
Application deadline for Internationally-based students
August 15
Application deadline for US-based students
CTU’s MA (Theology) degree offers two designs: the Major/Minor Design and the Multidisciplinary Design. In the Major/Minor design, students select a major and pair it with a different minor, choosing either a thesis or non-thesis option; students who pursue the thesis option complete required language study. The Multidisciplinary design offers broad theological exposure through coursework across key areas including Scripture, Systematic Theology, Liturgy, Ethics, Spirituality, and Interreligious Studies.
Both designs include a Research Skills course and a Comprehensive Examination.
Majors are offered in:
- Biblical Studies (General, Old Testament, or New Testament)
- Ethics
- Intercultural Studies and Ministry
- Interreligious Studies
- Liturgy
- Spirituality
- Systematic Theology
- World Mission
Minors may be taken in the one of the areas above or in Pastoral Ministry. The minor must be different from the major.
The student who successfully completes the Master of Arts (Theology) program:
- Demonstrates proficiency in engaging in academic study and research for general educational purposes
- Demonstrates survey knowledge of diverse theological disciplines
- Evidences progress toward a coherent and personally integrated theological vision within the context of a communitarian spiritual formation
- Demonstrates summative and integrative knowledge at the end of the academic program through the successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
- Demonstrates focused knowledge in a specific discipline or interdisciplinary knowledge
- (For a student who chooses the thesis option): Acquires and applies skills, including languages, required for the pursuit of doctoral studies
Admission to the MA (Theology) requires the following:
- Fulfillment of the general admission requirements, including a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or the educational equivalent.
- The completion of 9 semester hours of undergraduate level courses in Religious Studies or Theology.
To fulfill this prerequisite, the GPA of undergraduate work must generally be at least 3.0; that of graduate work must be at least 3.5. If an applicant’s GPA is below these standards, he or she may be admitted on probation.
The prerequisite can be fulfilled through foundational courses taken at CTU.
In addition to their course work, spiritual formation is required for all lay students who are pursuing a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity Degree. This formation helps them to integrate their theological coursework into their daily lives. Members of religious communities have formation provided by that community. For more information about formation programs for lay students at CTU, click HERE.
