New Theological Studies Degree: Strengthening the Church

Strengthening the local church is the goal of a new online Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Cedarville University. Offered through the school of biblical and theological studies, the ministry-focused, 36-hour program offers four concentrations — ministry, worship and theology, biblical leadership, and biblical counseling — and emphasizes practical ministry training alongside a robust Bible and theology core.  

The 15-hour core is made up of five classes: Old Testament Overview, New Testament Overview, Systematic Theology 1 and 2 and Introduction to Biblical Theology. The remaining 21 coursework hours let the student focus on their ministry interest.

“The Master of Theological Studies program is part of our overall mission at Cedarville University,” said Dr. Michael McKay, assistant professor of biblical theology. “Through these new programs, we are striving to transform lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority, and this program will help in the transformational process.”  

The structure of the program allows students great flexibility in their pursuit of graduate-level ministry preparation from Cedarville University. Students can choose the degree program that best matches their career and ministry goals. The four tracks include:  

MINISTRY  
This general ministry track offers traditional and partnering pathways that equip graduates with practical ministry training and skills. The traditional pathway is completed fully online through Cedarville, while the partnering pathway provides the option for 9 of the 36 hours to be completed through an approved partner while the remaining credits are taken online.  

WORSHIP AND THEOLOGY
The worship and theology track equips graduates with worship and leadership skills for use in local church and parachurch settings. This program is delivered in partnership with Cedarville’s Department of Music and Worship. Some courses offered in the program include Biblical Foundations of Worship, Contemporary Worship Leadership and Current Practices in Worship Technology.  

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP  
The biblical leadership track, offered in collaboration with the Robert W. Plaster School of Business at Cedarville, equips students to lead and serve with excellence in an organizational or church setting. Some courses offered in this track include Biblical Leadership, Project Management and Management and Leadership of Organizations.  

BIBLICAL COUNSELING  
All new as part of the MTS, the biblical counseling track is tailored toward local church ministry, and the primary goal is to prepare graduates to use a biblical methodology and skills to minister to the needs of individuals and families within the church. Courses in this track include Biblical Care and Counseling, Interpersonal and Crisis Counseling and Counseling Methods and Theology.  

Along with offering the new MTS degree, four graduate certificates are also available to serve individuals who desire specialized training but are not ready to pursue or do not need a full master’s degree. The 12-credit certificates (four courses) are available in leadership and worship leadership, with new certificates in biblical counseling and biblical and theological studies pending external approvals.  

The school of biblical and theological studies also offers an affordable, residential Master of Divinity program that prepares leaders for local church and global ministry. Students complete the program through a traditional 79-hour pathway, an accelerated B.A.+M.Div. five-year option or a two-year advanced M.Div. that recognizes prior undergraduate Bible coursework.

 “We are striving to strengthen the local church through our programs — whether you choose the residential M.Div. or one of the new online ministry options,” said Dr. Trent Rogers, dean of the school of biblical and theological studies. “We want to equip our graduates to be producers within the local church, not just consumers. It is our hope that through our programs, students will fall deeper in love with Jesus as they study his Word and receive outstanding ministry preparation.”