Mar 06, 2026

Academic Catalog - Fall 2025

Master of Theological Studies, MTS

The Master of Theological Studies is a basic seminary program of study and research for international students in a cross-cultural setting who are participating in an approved Global Theological Initiative cohort and have already completed an initial undergraduate degree in theological studies or another approved field as determined by the Program Coordinator and the Registrar. The purpose of the program is to train God called men and women to be leaders within various international Christian ministries.

For Global Theological Initiative partnerships, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary also offers the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) to Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree plan that provides an expedited pathway of study from the MTS to the DMin, allowing for 12 credit hours of overlap.

Admission Requirements

This degree is available to international students and workers in a cross-cultural setting who are participating in an approved Global Theological Initiative cohort and have a B.Th., an equivalent degree, or Bachelors Degree in another approved field as determined by the Program Coordinator and the Registrar. Transcript or documentation of all post-secondary coursework must be provided. All other requirements for international student admission to the Seminary must be met.

Program Design

The MTS at Southeastern is a general theological studies program permitting some academic specialization for international students. The curriculum is designed to expose the student to a broad range of theological disciplines and then guide the student to the focused study of a specific theological discipline via a concentration of elective courses and a final research thesis project. This degree normally requires two academic years of full-time study.

Transcripts that do not show satisfactory completion of an appropriate range of courses (based on the MDiv core requirements at Southeastern) may lead the Registrar to require remedial work without reducing the course requirements for this program. At least half of the 48 hours required must be under the direct supervision and tutelage of Southeastern’s faculty.

A Supervisory Professor will be selected for each student. Biblical and theological requirements are supplemented by electives in several areas of possible specialization. These electives should be chosen in consultation with the Supervisory Professor. The research project is approximately 75 pages, directed and approved by the Supervisory Professor in consultation with the Program Coordinator. Students should complete their research project by the end of their final semester of class work or no later than three months after completion of their final class.

Degree Requirements

I. Master of Theological Studies Core - 27 Hours

SEM 5000 - Introduction to Seminary Education 0 credit hour(s).
BTI 5100 - Hermeneutics 3 credit hour(s).
EVA 5150 - Disciplemaking: Personal Evangelism and Discipleship 3 credit hour(s).
HIS 5130 - Baptist History: Identity, Heritage, and Polity 3 credit hour(s).
MIS 5100 - Christian Missions: Principles and Practice 3 credit hour(s).
PRS 6100 - Bible Exposition I: Hermeneutics and Preparation 3 credit hour(s).
THE 6110 - Christian Theology I 3 credit hour(s).
THE 6120 - Christian Theology II 3 credit hour(s).
ETH 5100 - Introduction to Christian Ethics 3 credit hour(s).
OR
PHI 5100 - Christian Philosophy: Worldview, Western Thought, and Apologetics 3 credit hour(s).
BTI 6600 - Old Testament Theology 3 credit hour(s).
OR
BTI 6700 - New Testament Theology 3 credit hour(s).

II. Specialty Selectives - 18 Hours

At least two elective courses must be taken in the specific field that will be addressed in the research project. Students lacking the equivalent undergraduate courses in Bible are required to take

OTS 5110 - Old Testament Introduction and Interpretation I: Pentateuch and Former Prophets

,
OTS 5120 - Old Testament Introduction and Interpretation II: Latter Prophets and Writings
,
NTS 5110 - New Testament Introduction and Interpretation I: Jesus and the Gospels
, and
NTS 5120 - New Testament Introduction and Interpretation II: Acts, Epistles, and Revelation
as selectives for the completion of this degree.

III. M.T.S. Research Thesis Project - 3 Hours

IND 7521 - M.T.S. Research Project 3 credit hour(s).

Note:

The students will be assigned a thesis supervisor. The thesis project must address a significant topic and must conform to the latest edition of the provided Thesis Handbook, the Turabian style manual, and must contain a substantial bibliography. The project must be presented to the Supervisory Professor for grading at least 2 weeks prior to the anticipated date of SEBTS graduation.

Students who do not complete this course in one semester will be required to enroll in IND 7501 - MTS Continuous Enrollment in each successive semester until the requirements for this course are completed.