Supplement your MDiv or MA Theo Studies with focused study in a particular area of interest, deepening your understanding and preparing yourself for doctoral studies.
The Master of Theology Is ...
Personal: Engage in high-level, seminar-style classes with small cohorts of like-minded students. Receive one-on-one guidance from world-class Christian thinkers.
In-depth: Go deep with a topic or question that you want to study more closely.
Flexible: Choose whether to complete a thesis, focusing more time on a single research project, or spend more time in the classroom with the major paper track.
Students who take this program typically ...
- want to study a specific theological question related to their vocation or personal life;
- are interested in pursuing a PhD;
- are pastors who want to build on their education or reflect theologically on a particular issue that is relevant to their ministry; or
- are preparing for a role where an advanced degree is of benefit.
Application Requirements
The ThM is the highest academic degree awarded by Regent College. In order to be admitted to the ThM program, you must have an MDiv or a master's degree in theological studies equivalent to Regent's MA in Theo Studies. You must also have completed that graduate program with a GPA of at least 3.3.
For required documents and to learn more about the application process, visit our Admission Requirements page.
Program Structure
Credit Hours | Completion Time | Program Costs | Distance Education |
---|---|---|---|
24 |
Minimum 1 year, if all requirements are satisfied (see Additional Requirements below). Part-time: 5 years max |
The tuition for the 2023–2024 academic year is $520 per onsite credit hour and $540 per online credit hour. The total tuition for the ThM program is $12,480 (24 credit hours at $520 per onsite credit hour). This amount will be higher if you are required to complete more than 24 credit hours. For a breakdown of associated fees and costs of living, view our sample budget. To help you offset the costs of graduate education, we offer scholarships, financial aid, and work opportunities on campus. |
When completing the ThM degree, you can take up to 6 credits of courses through Online Courses. |
Program Requirements
In order to graduate from the program, you must complete 24 credits with a GPA of 3.3 (B+) or better.
Depending on your objectives, you can choose a thesis track or a non-thesis track with additional electives. The requirements for both tracks are as follows:
THESIS TRACK* | CREDIT HOURS |
---|---|
Readings in Modern Protestant Thought Seminar (INDS 726)** | 3 |
Seminar in the same area as your thesis | 3 |
Thesis | 12 |
Electives |
6 |
Total | 24 |
|
|
MAJOR PAPER TRACK | CREDIT HOURS |
---|---|
Readings in Modern Protestant Thought Seminar (INDS 726)** | 3 |
Seminar in the same area as your major paper | 3 |
Seminar in any discipline |
3 |
Major paper | 3 |
Electives |
12 |
Total | 24 |
|
|
Additional Requirements
Our ThM program requires deep and focused theological engagement. We require every ThM student to complete a particular list of courses either before or during their ThM in order to ensure that they are equipped to give adequate consideration to their subject matter. Some courses are required for all ThM students, while others are necessary only for those studying in a particular area.
Requirements applying to all ThM students:
We expect that all ThM students will have a theological background equivalent to Regent's MDiv program. If you have not completed the following courses in a previous program, you will be required to complete them as part of your ThM program:
- Old Testament Foundations (BIBL 501) and New Testament Foundations (BIBL 502)
- Biblical Exegesis & Interpretation (BIBL 503)
- History of Christianity Foundations (HIST 501) and History of Christianity: Reformation to Modern (HIST 502)
- Theology I (THEO 601) and Theology II (THEO 602)
- Biblical Languages: a minimum of 6 credit hours in one biblical language. This means at least 6 credit hours of either Hebrew (chosen from LANG 510, LANG 511, LANG 610, LANG 611, LANG 721); or Greek (chosen from LANG 550, LANG 551, LANG 650, LANG 651, LANG 720). Three credits of each language are not sufficient to satisfy this requirements. Please note that Language Perspectives (LANG 500) may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Students may also satisfy part or all of the language requirement by writing a proficiency exam in Introductory Greek or Introductory Hebrew. There is a $100, non-refundable fee per exam. The exams are graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must register by August 1 for the Fall term or by December 1 for the Winter term. A $25 drop fee applies if the student cancels the exam after these deadlines. The exam will take place in the week before the semester begins. For more information, download the Language Proficiency Exam Application and contact [email protected].
Subject-specific requirements:
You are welcome to pursue any field of study covered by our course offerings, as long as we have the faculty resources to give you the supervision you need. You are welcome to discuss potential research topics with members of faculty before applying to the ThM program.
Depending on your intended area of study and your academic record, the College may require additional courses in order to provide you with a better foundation to build on. For example, if you wish to write a thesis or a major paper in any of the following areas, you will be expected to have taken the courses indicated below or their equivalent. If you have not completed the following courses in a previous program, you will need to complete them as part of your ThM program:
Missions or World Christianity
- Introduction to World Christianity (WRLD 501)
- Missional Church (APPL 581)
Old Testament
- Hebrew (12 credits LANG 510, LANG 511, LANG 610, LANG 611)
- Biblical Hermeneutics & Criticism (BIBL 600)
- Advanced Old Testament Exegesis (BIBL 701)
New Testament
- Greek (12 credits LANG 550, LANG 551, LANG 650, LANG 651)
- Biblical Hermeneutics & Criticism (BIBL 600)
- Advanced New Testament Exegesis (BIBL 702)
Biblical Languages
- Hebrew (12 credits LANG 510, LANG 511, LANG 610, LANG 611)
- Greek (12 credits LANG 550, LANG 551, LANG 650, LANG 651)
- Advanced Greek Readings (LANG 720) or Advanced Hebrew Readings (LANG 721)
Spiritual Theology
Doctrinal Theology
- History of Christian Doctrine (THEO 608)
Christianity and the Arts
- Christian Imagination (ARTS 501)
- Vocation of the Artist Seminar (ARTS 701)
Notes on the Requirements
* A minimum graduate-level GPA of 3.5 is required to write a thesis.
**A different ThM seminar may be offered from time to time.
The Major Paper will involve a 7,500–10,000 word essay and will be supervised by a full-time faculty member in the appropriate discipline.
While the College cannot guarantee thesis supervision if you were admitted to the ThM with less than a 3.5 GPA in your previous graduate studies, you may be permitted to write a thesis under the following conditions: (i) you achieve at least a 3.5 GPA in at least 9 credit hours taken at Regent College, and (ii) you secure the agreement of a member of faculty to supervise your thesis.