Asbury Theological Seminary’s 60-hour Master of Arts [Theological Studies] applies Christian theology to contemporary issues, life and ministry through your study of church history, doctrine, ethics, philosophy and systematic theology. This theology degree prepares you in the practical Christian disciplines needed for teaching in congregations, para-church organizations, Christian institutions or for pursuing a postgraduate degree.
Upon completing your degree you’ll demonstrate a fresh understanding of the essential content, historical development and philosophical and ethical dimensions of Christian theology. Your theological degree won’t be theory only. You’ll be able to apply those concepts to contemporary issues in Christian life and ministry.
Study online. Stay on mission with our new hybrid course offerings that allow you to study on campus or online.
Complete this 60-hour degree in three years with online classes and three, one-week campus visits. World-renowned scholars integrate theology, history, sociology, ethics and leadership into your coursework that’s designed specifically for your ministry context. Through campus-visits and online courses, you will gain a community of life-long friendships and practical skills to be a creative and innovative ministry leader without uprooting yourself or your family.
As you complete your degree, you’ll be able to
- Cultivate holy love of God and neighbor through both knowledge and practice in the Christian disciplines of service and grace.
- Understand the essential content, historical development, and philosophical and ethical dimensions of Christian theology.
- Understand the scriptural basis, historical development, and contemporary relevance of the Wesleyan theological perspective.
- Relate Christian theology, history, philosophy, and ethics to contemporary issues and Christian ministry.
*Refer to the Academic Catalog for the exact wording of Program Learning Outcomes.
Advanced Standing
Save time and money with our advanced standing program. Here’s how it works.
If you received a religion major or minor from an accredited college or university, you can receive a maximum of 12 credits toward a Master of Arts degree.
*Transcripts evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Admissions Requirements
- Application Form
- Accredited baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools where at least 12 hours of coursework was completed
- Personal History Essay – 1050-1500 words (350-500 words per question)
- Share your testimony starting with how you met Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to seminary at this season in your life. Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in seminary.
- What draws you to your desired major/area of study? What is your intended outcome upon degree completion? Why is that career or ministry choice meaningful to you?
- Discuss a local, national, and/or international issue and why you are passionate about it.
- Optional: If your GPA is not a good indication of your academic ability, please explain.
- Four references (references cannot be related to applicant)
- Four references, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administrator reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.
- $50 Nonrefundable Application Fee
- For applicants whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 (79 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5
- Background check (completed by the Admissions Office)
- A personal interview may be required upon request by the Admissions Committee
Learn more about what other graduates of Asbury Seminary are doing.
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Stephanie de OliveiraMissions Pastor, Calvario City Church, Orlando.
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Heather HillAdministrative Pastor at Mosaic.
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Deanna LynnOrthopedic Specialist
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Ricardo GomezArea Director for Latin America with the Free Methodist Church.
Executive Director for Impact Latin America. -
Nate HinzmanCorps Officer at The Salvation Army East Main Worship & Service Center, Columbus, Ohio.
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Jonathan FitzgeraldSalvation Army Captain & Education Officer for the Caribbean Territorial Training College, Jamaica.
Aesthetics and Applied Arts—For those interested in focusing their learning on the transcendental of beauty – equipping students with the knowledge and skills to bring their artistic gifts into worship.
Anglican Studies—Become a leader within the Anglican Tradition by deepening your understanding of Anglican ministry, worship and spirituality.
Ethics and Social Responsibility—For those interested in focusing their learning on the moral principles that bind us together as Christians – looking to explore the areas of social holiness and justice.
Philosophy & Apologetics—Concentrate your study in church history, doctrine, ethics, philosophy and systematic theology to develop analytical viewpoints from the Wesleyan theological perspective.
Spiritual Formation—Educate and equip yourself to answer your call to ministry through a focused study of scripture, theology, tradition and practices within the Wesleyan tradition.
Theology and Wesleyan Studies—For those interested in focusing their learning on Wesleyanism – its roots, growth, and holy love approach to Christian life.
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| Early | ||
| 3 | MS501 | Missional Formation (must be taken in initial 21 hrs at ATS) |
| 3 | CH501 | Church History—One |
| 3 | CH502 | Church History—Two [PRQ: CH501] |
| 3 | CS601 | Christian Ethics |
| 3 | TH501 | Basic Christian Doctrine |
| 3 | NT520 | New Testament Introduction |
| 3 | OT520 | Old Testament Introduction |
| Final | ||
| 3 | CD605 | Gospel Catechesis |
| 3 | TH601 | Theology of John Wesley |
| 3 | NT(IBS)510/511 | NT(IBS)510 Matthew -or- NT(IBS)511 Mark |
| 3 | Choose one:
TH610 |
TH 610 Triune Theism -or- TH620 Doctrine/Work of Christ -or- TH630 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit |
| 9 | General Elective Courses (choose any) | |
| 18 | Specialization Required/Elective Courses (see below) | |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Aesthetics and Applied Arts
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | CS645/TH625 | Theological Aesthetics |
| 3 | WO621 | Songwriting and Theology |
| 3 | CA650 | Tutorial in Christian Arts (visual arts project w/analysis) |
| 3 | CH/CS/PH/SF/TH | Elective: Theological Studies |
| 6 | Elective Any combination of Independent Study in CA; WO615/TH515 or WO615/CH651; three credits of Seminary Singers, Choir, Voice or Instrument; CS654 (must opt to write work of fiction); CS/SF644; PH655 |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Anglican Studies Specialization
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | CH610 or PH501 | English Reformation or Philosophy or Christian Religion |
| 3 | TH615 | Anglican History & Polity |
| 3 | TH701 | Contemporary Theology |
| 3 | WO620 | Worship, Prayer, Community in Anglican Tradition |
| 6 | CH of SF Elective (Choose 2) | CH610, CH/SF615, Ch701, CH720, SF502, SF625 |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Ethics and Social Responsibility
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | CS615 | English Reformation |
| 3 | CS638 or CS652 | Ethics of Community OR Ethics of Hospitality and Contemporary Challenges |
| 3 | CS/TH631 OR CS650 OR MS626 | Public Theology OR Political Theology & Ethics OR Public Theology for Global Development |
| 3 | CS elective OR MS626 | Any CS elective course or Public Theology for Global Development |
| 6 | CH/CS/PH/SF/TH | Elective: Theological Studies |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Philosophy & Apologetics Specialization
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | PH501 | Philosophy of Christian Religion |
| 3 | PH600 | Suffering, Tragedy & Christian Faith |
| 3 | PH605 | Science & Christian Faith |
| 3 | PH610 or CS/TH631 | Christian Apologetics or Public Theology: Engaging the World |
| 3 | Choose one of the following: | PH610, PH615, PH701, PH705, CS/TH631, CH/SF720 |
| 3 | STF Elective | Choose one: CH, CS, PH, SF or TH (600-700 level) |
Master of Arts [T.S.] Spiritual Formation Specialization
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | SF503 | Life of Prayer |
| 3 | SF502 | Spiritual Life of Christian Leader |
| 3 | SF625 | Theology and Spiritual Formation |
| 3 | SF/TH Elective | Choose one: SF501-799; TH620; or TH630 |
| 3 | STF Elective | Choose one from following nomenclatures: CH, SC, PH, SF or TH Course |
| 3 | CH/SF720 | Readings in Christian Spirituality |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Theology and History Specialization
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | PH501 | Philosophy of Christian Religion |
| 3 | TH 701 | Contemporary Theology |
| 12 | TH Electives | Choose 4 from these nomenclatures: CH/SC/PH/TH |
Master of Arts [Theological Studies] Theology and Wesleyan Studies Specialization
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | CH605 or equivalent | Methodist History and Polity or equivalent with Wesleyan focus |
| 3 | CH660 or MS690 | History of the Holiness Movement or Evangelism in the Wesleyan Spirit |
| 3 | TH 701 | Contemporary Theology |
| 3 | TH | Elective: Theology |
| 6 | Ch/CS/PH/SF/TH | Elective: Theological Studies |
Asbury Seminary is committed to providing you with a quality theological education and practical skills for a lifetime. We offer more than 400 scholarships annually to help you graduate with minimal debt.
Cost of Attendance
| Degree | Total Credits | Cost |
| Master of Arts | 60 credits | $712/credit hour |
| Total | $42,720 |
| Academic Year 2021-2022 | All Campuses Fall/Spring | All Campuses Summer |
| Technology Fee | $225 per semester | $110 per semester |
| Graduation Fee | $200 one-time fee | $200 one-time fee |
| Student Services Fee | $160 per semester | $80 per semester |
Scholarships
Institutional scholarships are available through Asbury Theological Seminary. Scholarships are highly competitive and priority consideration is given to those who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Asbury Financial Aid Application, and who have been admitted by the Admissions Office by March 1.
Recipients of scholarships must represent strong promise for Christian ministry and demonstrate a financial need.
Some of the scholarships include:
- Mary Whetstone and Walter J. Knabe Scholarship – average award $10,700
- Windgate Scholarship – average award $10,000
- J.C. McPheeters Scholarship – average award $7,000
- Timothy C. Tennent Church Planting and Cross-Cultural Missionary Service Scholarship – average award $4,500
- Leo H. Naughton Scholarship – average award $3,200
- Asbury Deans Scholarship – average award $1,500
Save Time! Save Money!
Combine your Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, or Master of Theological Studies with a doctoral-level Master of Theology (Th.M) degree, and save up to 15 credit hours! This option is designed for those planning to pursue a Ph.D. or for those seeking a deeper educational background to serve in the church or marketplace.
This dual track option allows you to:
- Share up to 15 hours between degrees, reducing your overall time and cost to complete the degrees.
- Prepare for the rigor of the Ph.D. program and strengthen your CV. Classes are taught at a Ph.D. level.
- Gain a more extensive knowledge-base for marketplace or church ministry.
- Work one-on-one with a faculty mentor.
- Shorten the admissions process if you’re already a current student.