The Master of Theological Studies program provides courses of study in the several theological disciplines necessary for persons interested in subsequently pursuing: teaching vocations in religious studies at secondary and some postsecondary schools, doctoral study in the broad field of religion, diaconal ministries in certain denominational traditions, work in social justice oriented non-profit organizations, and other religiously informed leadership positions. This program can also serve persons interested in enhancement of their own religious faith and understanding. Based on particular students’ vocational aims they may choose either the General MTS Plan of Study or the Concentration MTS Plan of Study as described below.
The degree requires a minimum of 48 semester hours, which will normally be completed in four semesters of full-time studies. The degree must be completed within five years from the term of matriculation. The program consists of three parts: Required Common Courses, Focus/Concentration, and Electives, as described below. Students may take up to 9 hours of graduate-level work in other Vanderbilt University departments and may count these hours toward requirements for graduation (courses cross-registered with Divinity do not count against these hours). It is possible that some students will matriculate with previous work in one or more required curriculum subjects. Students may opt to waive individual courses, provided they have taken comparable course work in the area at the undergraduate level. They may choose to transfer courses (up to 12 hours), provided they have taken them at the graduate level at a school accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).
If a waiver is granted for a course in the required core curriculum, the student, upon consultation with one’s academic adviser, may fulfill the requirement by taking an upper-level course in the particular discipline. Waivers and transfer work must be approved by the associate dean.
Upon matriculation, a student’s advisor will be the instructor of the First Semester Orientation Course. If the student chooses the concentration option, the student will be assigned a concentration advising team.
OPTION 1: The MTS General Plan of Study
Required Common Courses
The required Common Courses for the General Plan of Study are designed to be broad introductions to several areas of theological study. This part of the program totals 21 semester hours. Students must take the following courses:
1) 5000. First Semester Orientation Course [3] P/F
2) 6500. Hebrew Bible. [3] This course is taken in the first year of study.
3) 6600. New Testament. [3] This course is taken in the first year of study.
4) An approved course in Historical Studies [3] (Designated in YES)
5) An approved course in Theological Studies [3] (Designated in YES)
5) An approved course in Ethics and Society [3] (Designated in YES)
6) An approved course in Religion, Psychology, and Culture. [3] (Designated in YES)
Focus
Focus Statement
By August 1 of their second year, M.T.S. students must provide a “Focus Statement” to their adviser and the associate dean for academic affairs a statement about the focus of their studies as it relates to their vocation. Students are expected to incorporate into their focus statement the course work taken in their first year as well as the course work they plan to take in their final year.
Focus Capstone
- M.T.S. Project/Thesis Option [3]
- M.T.S. Portfolio Option (Non-Thesis/Project Option)
Electives
Students will select their 27 hours of electives (or 24 hours if a student chooses the project/thesis option) in conjunction with their goals for their program of study and in discussion with their adviser. The electives should be incorporated into the student’s statement of program focus.
OPTION 2: The MTS Concentration Plan of Study
Required Common Courses
The Required Common Courses for the Concentration Plan of Study provide an essential starting point for all further theological study in the School. This part of the program totals 9 semester hours. All Option 2 students must take the following three courses:
1) 5000. First Semester Orientation Course [3] P/F
2) 6500. Hebrew Bible. [3] This course is taken in the first year of study.
3) 6600. New Testament. [3] This course is taken in the first year of study.
Concentration
Upon satisfactory completion of the First Semester Orientation Course, the Master of Theological Studies program requires students to select a concentration based on vocational interests. Students may elect to choose an additional concentration should their schedule permit.
Concentrations aim to prepare students to be service oriented for religious leadership that is contextually focused; socially engaged, spiritually formed; and culturally literate. In other words, as a crucial component to the curriculum, concentrations contribute to students’ development of a disposition toward religious leadership that is transformative.
Description of Concentrations:
Concentrations are comprised of 12 credit hours including a praxis course or experience (e.g. archival research, ethnography, interfaith dialogue) to be determined in consultation with the concentration faculty advisors.
Concentrations embody five Divinity School curricular values:
- Vocationally Relevant - Students are provided an opportunity to engage their vocational interests and sense of call, develop religious leadership capacities and deepen the knowledge needed to critically, thoughtfully, and creatively engage their vocational aim.
- Integrative of theory and praxis with the aim of preparing students for transformative leadership in faith communities and the broader society.
- Interdisciplinary - Concentrations are comprised of courses selected from across the curriculum. The interdisciplinary foci of the concentration strengthen students’ capacity to make the connection between disciplines in the curriculum.
- Intersectional in content and analysis. The intersectional nature of the concentrations help students become cognizant of the social factors that shape experience in society. Students learn critical social analysis and religious reflection that informs transformative responses in the embodiment of vocation.
- Infused with the VDS commitments which provide a linchpin between the curriculum and our communal life.
Current concentrations include:
- Black Religion and Culture Studies
- Global Christianities and Interreligious Encounter
- Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies
- Prison and Carceral Studies
- Religion and Economic Justice
- Religion and the Arts
- Religion, Gender, and Sexuality
- Spirituality and Social Activism
Students in the Concentration option select their remaining 24 credit hours in conjunction with their goals for their program of study and in discussion with their concentration advising team.
M.T.S. Project/Thesis
Students in the Concentration Option complete a program project or thesis as directed by a faculty member. Students must identify their first reader/director for the project/thesis before they register for the 3 hours of project/thesis. The project/thesis will be a 30–50 page research project giving evidence of original investigation in the area of their Concentration(s). When students have completed more than one Concentration, they may choose which one to focus on, or with their advising teams’ consent write a thesis that bridges the Concentrations’ subject matter.