An MTS, or Master of Theological Studies, is a graduate degree focused on the academic study of theology, religion, and ethics. Unlike the more well-known Master of Divinity (MDiv), which prepares students for ordained ministry, the MTS is designed for people who want a deep intellectual engagement with religious traditions without necessarily planning to lead a congregation. It typically takes two years of full-time study and requires around 48 credit hours.
What You Study in an MTS Program
MTS programs blend core foundational courses with a focused concentration area. Common concentrations include biblical studies, history of Christianity, systematic theology, moral theology and Christian ethics, liturgical studies, and world religions. At most schools, roughly a third of your credits go toward your chosen concentration, another third toward coursework outside that concentration (ensuring breadth across disciplines), and the remaining credits toward area-specific requirements set by your program.
Language study is a significant component at many schools. Programs often require competence in at least one modern research language and may expect familiarity with primary source languages like biblical Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, depending on your concentration. A student focusing on biblical studies, for example, would likely need working proficiency in ancient Greek or Hebrew to engage directly with original texts.
Most MTS programs do not include the practical ministry training (preaching, pastoral counseling, field placements) that defines the MDiv. The emphasis stays on reading, writing, research, and scholarly analysis. Some programs culminate in a thesis or capstone project, while others allow you to finish with coursework alone.
How It Differs From an MDiv
The Master of Divinity is the standard professional degree for people pursuing ordination and congregational leadership. It runs three to four years, covers a broader curriculum that includes both academic theology and practical skills like preaching, worship leadership, church administration, and supervised field education. Many denominations require an MDiv for ordination.
The MTS is shorter, more academically oriented, and more flexible. It suits students who want to study theology seriously but are not heading toward pastoral ministry. You might choose an MTS if you’re interested in doctoral work, want theological grounding for a career in nonprofit leadership or education, or simply want to deepen your understanding of religious thought for personal or professional reasons. If ordination is your goal, the MDiv is almost certainly the degree you need.
Who Pursues an MTS
MTS students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are recent college graduates with degrees in philosophy, history, or religious studies who want advanced training before applying to PhD programs. Others are mid-career professionals, such as teachers, social workers, journalists, or nonprofit staff, who see theological education as a way to add depth to work they’re already doing. Still others are people of faith who want rigorous academic engagement with their tradition without entering clergy life.
You do not need an undergraduate degree in religion or theology to apply. Most programs accept students from any academic background, though strong writing skills and some familiarity with the humanities help. Typical application materials include transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and sometimes a writing sample.
Career Paths After an MTS
The MTS opens doors in several directions, though the career path is less prescribed than it is for MDiv graduates heading into parish ministry.
- Further academic study: The MTS can serve as a stepping stone to a PhD in theology, religious studies, or a related field. Programs value the research training and language skills an MTS provides.
- Education: Graduates teach religious studies at private schools, work as religious education directors, or move into higher education administration. Religious studies teachers at the K-12 level earn around $48,000.
- Chaplaincy: Hospital, military, hospice, and university chaplains provide spiritual care across diverse settings. Chaplains earn approximately $50,000 on average, though some roles require additional clinical training or denominational endorsement.
- Nonprofit and humanitarian work: Theological training pairs naturally with organizations focused on social justice, refugee services, disaster relief, and community development. Humanitarian aid workers earn around $75,000, while international social workers average about $57,000.
- Writing and research: Some graduates become writers, archivists, or historians, working with religious texts, institutional records, or cultural analysis. Archivists average around $60,000, and historians around $80,000.
- Counseling and social services: With additional licensure or certification, MTS graduates work in grief counseling, family therapy, or bereavement coordination. Bereavement coordinators earn roughly $59,000.
One important note: the MTS alone does not qualify you for ordination in most denominations, and it does not, by itself, provide licensure for clinical counseling. If either of those is your goal, you’ll need additional credentials.
Program Length and Cost Considerations
A full-time MTS program takes two years and typically requires 48 credit hours. Part-time options are available at many schools, stretching the timeline to three or four years. Tuition varies widely depending on the institution. Some university-affiliated divinity schools carry tuition comparable to other graduate programs at that university, while freestanding seminaries may be less expensive.
Financial aid is worth investigating carefully. Many theological schools offer generous merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, or denominational funding that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Some schools cover a substantial portion of tuition for admitted students. Assistantships that pair a tuition discount with part-time work in a department or library are also common in this field.
Choosing the Right Program
When comparing MTS programs, pay attention to the concentration areas offered, since they vary meaningfully from school to school. A program strong in biblical studies may have limited offerings in ethics or world religions, and vice versa. If you’re considering doctoral work afterward, look at where graduates have been accepted and whether the program includes thesis options and language training that PhD programs expect.
Accreditation matters too. Programs accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) meet recognized standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, and institutional resources. An ATS-accredited degree carries more weight if you later apply to doctoral programs or seek employment at institutions that care about credential quality. Class size, faculty accessibility, and the school’s broader university resources (libraries, cross-registration with other departments) are also practical factors that shape the day-to-day experience of a two-year program.