The Master of Arts in Theological Studies program fosters development of theological understanding as part of educational, professional, and spiritual growth. The MATS is a general academic degree, designed to give balanced exposure to the theological disciplines while allowing students to focus on an area of interest. It may be desirable for persons not seeking ordination but wishing to work in a church setting and for those already ordained but needing further academic work in theological studies. It is also appropriate for those who wish to enhance their understanding of theological perspectives and religious practices for their own growth or to relate to another professional field.

The program allows for concentration in some field of study to a greater extent than the M.Div. requirements generally permit. For example, lay persons who work in church settings in non-ordained or volunteer positions may use the program to develop their understanding of the Church by concentrating in a field such as biblical studies, history of religion, theology, or the history and theory of worship and homiletics. International students may create an inter-disciplinary emphasis on Asian Theological Studies, Spirituality, Missiology, or Pastoral Counseling.

At San Francisco Theological Seminary, the faculty and their disciplines are organized into three curricular areas:

Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies requires a total of 16 semester courses (48 units). Nine of the courses are to be distributed evenly among the three major disciplinary areas of the SFTS M.Div. curriculum to provide breadth of theological understanding. One course is an integrating seminar or special reading course designed to prepare MATS candidates for the qualifying exam or final paper. The remaining six courses may be used to provide depth in areas of the student's interest, for example, a concentration in theology or spirituality, or to experience a diversity of forms of theological inquiry. Courses in the field of Functional Theology (e.g., field education courses) are not allowed as fulfillment of the degree requirement.

As a general academic degree, the MATS program requires candidates to synthesize their learning from various disciplines in a final qualifying examination and/or paper. Those who complete the program in English may take an essay exam set by the faculty on topics from biblical studies, historical and systematic theology, spirituality, and religion and the social behavioral sciences. A substantial paper written under the guidance of the faculty advisor may be substituted for the essay exam. Those who take the degree in a language other than English write a thesis that is the culmination of the student's advanced work in his or her area of concentration. The 50 to 70 page thesis may be written in the student's native language, but if not in English must be accompanied by a 5 to 10-page summary in English. The writing of the thesis is supervised and directed by SFTS regular or adjunct faculty. In some cases two additional advanced level courses may be substituted for the thesis.

The required units of core courses and electives are to be distributed among various disciplines. For a complete listing of the courses and electives, please check the links below:

Transfer Credit
Students with a baccalaureate degree who have done graduate studies in theology at an accredited institution of higher education with at least a 3.0 (B) average may transfer or apply up to 8 courses (24 semester units) toward the MATS degree requirements. International students having more than one year of graduate course work in theology may fulfill the requirements for the MATS in one year of study plus a comprehensive examination and/or thesis.

Students in the MATS program are not eligible for financial aid and rank with GTU MA students in priority for housing.