MTS-PT Handbook

MTS (48 hours)

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is a two-year graduate degree designed to give students an opportunity to acquire focused knowledge in a specific theological discipline. The distinctive approach and contributions of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in the area of Pentecostal theology broadly defined have had a global impact within the tradition and beyond including the development of distinctive approaches to a variety of theological disciplines. Such approaches are brought to bear in this program of study in an intentional way, offering candidates for this degree the opportunity to study and research a specific theological discipline within a constructive Pentecostal context that fosters personal formation and holistic integration.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation the student will be able to:

1. Rightly divide (interpret/discern) the Word of God by means of a Pentecostal approach to Scripture that utilizes critical appropriation of spiritual and academic resources.
2. Practice and foster community of faith relationships.
3. Reflect critically upon one’s story in light of the Christian story in order to form the individual and the community.
4. Practice personal and corporate spiritual disciplines (including prayer, fasting, Bible study, waiting upon God, and personal worship) supportive of Pentecostal spirituality.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of specific aspects of Pentecostal belief and practice.

Pentecostal Theology Concentration

The Pentecostal Theology concentration in the Master of Theological Studies degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to acquire advanced integrative knowledge and skills in Christian theology, with particular focus on constructive theology in the Pentecostal tradition and understanding of the history of Wesleyan-Pentecostal theology and spirituality. A distinctive Wesleyan-Pentecostal hermeneutics is brought to bear in this degree program, offering candidates for this degree the opportunity to study, research, and construct within the Pentecostal tradition but with a view toward addressing the broader issues of the Christian church and the world in various global contexts.

Concentration Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a coherent understanding of the history of the Christian theological tradition in the light of Wesleyan-Pentecostal theology and spirituality.
2. Demonstrate theological knowledge and skills necessary for reading, constructing, and teaching theology in response to issues facing the church and the world in diverse contexts.
3. Interpret Scripture according to a Wesleyan-Pentecostal hermeneutical paradigm.
4. Appreciate and articulate the need for theology to remain rooted in, and in service of, the formational beliefs and practices of the community of faith.
5. Reflect critically on one's own story and the story of one's faith community in the light of biblical narrative and the church's history.

Concentration Requirements

Candidates for the MTS with the concentration in Pentecostal Theology must complete 48 hours of prescribed coursework. This includes the successful completion of 9 hours of Biblical Studies Core, 16 hours of History & Theology Core, 7 hours of Pentecostal Formation, and 16 hours of electives either in theology or interdisciplinary as approved by the Concentration Coordinator. The candidate will produce a final project in the MTS Capstone Course.

Additional Program Information

• The MTS-PT Program has two meetings per semester to help you walk through the program. It is required that you attend each meeting. For distance students these meetings are live streamed via Zoom.
• Please review the course sequences for full-time and part-time study. This will also help you plan your semesters.
• The Capstone project is a requirement for you to graduate. You will also find a form explaining the MTS-PT Capstone here.

Society of Pentecostal Studies

It is strongly recommended that all MTS-PT students join the Society of Pentecostal Studies (SPS) with the goal to presenting their best paper of their academic career at the annual SPS meeting. For more information about the Society of Pentecostal Studies, click here. For applying for membership, see the membership page here. There are discounted membership rates for students. Full Membership is $87 per year. Student membership is $47 per year. There are also scholarships available for minority and female students to attend the SPS conference. Visit the following link and view the “Ithiel Travel Award Guidelines:” http://sps-usa.org/meetings/annual-meeting.

All levels of membership at the SPS receive four issues of Pneuma (a Pentecostal scholarly journal), the “Pneuma” monthly e-newsletter, and a copy of the annual conference program. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31, regardless of the time of application. The issues of Pneuma will be of help to your scholarly work at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary.

Those who apply for membership prior to and through September will receive that year's issues of Pneuma. Applications received after September will apply to the following year. All levels of membership are eligible to present papers at the annual conference.

As your MTS-PT degree is considered an academic degree, participation in SPS is highly recommended, if not required. Students in SPS will be able to network with other individuals at higher learning institutions as well as collaborate or learn about scholarly work in the Academy. Students can learn about resources available to them in institutions of higher learning, such as but not limited to future PhD work in the area of Theology or Church History. You can view more information on past SPS meetings here.