Designed especially for lay leaders and others seeking a deeper understanding of their faith, the MATS helps students increase their knowledge of the Bible and bring an informed Christian perspective to a variety of callings both inside and outside the church. The program culminates in a Capstone project that integrates the many levels of classroom learning with practical, real-life application. The degree may be pursued through several options: on-campus full- or part-time study (day or evening), or through our new fully online option.
See the MATS Degree Plan.
MATS Evening Program
The Seminary now offers an MATS Evening Program for those desiring to pursue the degree part-time through evening classes. Discounts are available for groups of three or more taking classes for credit. This is an excellent way for local churches or other ministries to train leaders, or for anyone to grow in understanding and living out their faith.
Fully Online MATS Option
In addition, students may now pursue the MATS fully online. This newly revised and accredited version of the MATS is the same degree program offered on campus, but allows students to take all required classes part-time online. Thus, the program is ideal for those who are unable to leave current jobs or ministry settings to move to St. Louis, as no on-campus residency is necessary for this option. (NOTE: The online option will take longer than the usual two years for full-time, on-campus study.)
The online program offers:
- The same content taught by the same professors as our on-campus courses.
- The flexibility to move through the full program at your own pace while completing individual courses according to established schedules.
- Opportunities for regular interaction with professors and fellow students in an online learning community through discussion forums, video conferencing, and group projects.
- The possibility of applying a limited number of credit hours toward a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.
See the MATS Online Degree Plan.
| Category | Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
Applied Theology (4 credits) | Christian Formation & Calling | AT310 | 3 |
| MA Capstone | AT499 | 1 | |
Church History (3 credits) | Ancient & Medieval Church History | CH310 OR Reformation & Modern Church History | CH320 OR The Story of Christianity | CH200 | 3 |
Contemporary Culture (3 credits) | Foundations for Apologetics & Outreach | 3 |
New Testament (3 credits) | NT History & Theology | NT500 | 3 |
Old Testament (3 credits) | OT History & Theology | OT500 | 3 |
Biblical & Systematic Theology (15 credits) | Covenant Theology | ST300 | 3 |
| God & Humanity: Foundations of Counseling | ST310 | 3 | |
| Christ & Salvation | ST330 | 3 | |
| Spirit, Church & Last Things | ST350 | 3 | |
| Christian Ethics | ST360 | 3 | |
World Mission (3 credits) | God’s World Mission | WM310 | 3 |
Electives‡ (20 credits) | 12 = Bible and systematic theology (OT, NT, CH, ST) 8 = unrestricted | 20 |
| TOTAL DEGREE HOURS | 54 | |
Bible Content Exam
Entering students must attempt to pass the Bible Content Exam prior to their first class; prior to graduation all students must pass the Bible Content Exam.
Summary of Degree Requirements
Bible Exam
Curriculum Hours: 54 (34 core hours; 12 Bible & systematics elective hours; 8 unrestricted hours)
‡ 12 elective hours must be in Bible (courses with the OT or NT prefix) & systematic theology (courses with the CH or ST prefix), with at least 3 hours of OT, 3 hourss of NT, and 3 hours of ST. 8 elective hours are unrestricted. Electives may be taken in any term.
See a list of our Course Offerings for 2019-2020.
See a full list of all our Course Descriptions.