Advanced postgraduate degree
MTh
An elite, research-intensive online theological degree for graduates pursuing advanced specialization, original scholarship, and doctoral preparation.
Academic level
Advanced postgraduate degree
Program length
1 year full-time
Total credits
30 credits · 10 courses
Graduation standard
Minimum 3.30 GPA
Program vision
The Master of Theology (MTh) at Karlstadt Theological Seminary is designed for graduates who desire advanced specialization beyond the Master of Divinity or Master of Theological Studies.
Students enter a community of scholars committed to intellectual rigor, ecclesial fidelity, spiritual maturity, and global Christian engagement. The degree develops advanced competency in research, theological construction, scholarly writing, academic teaching, and ecclesial leadership.
Grounded in the great traditions of Christian scholarship and attentive to contemporary theological questions, the MTh forms scholars capable of making original contributions to theology and church life.
Program at a glance
Core curriculum
6 credits
Theology specialization
18 credits
Practical theology electives
6 credits
Program total
30 credits
Curriculum
Two advanced seminars establish exegetical and hermeneutical competence at a research level.
BIB 701
3 creditsAdvanced Hebrew exegesis, canonical interpretation, biblical theology, Ancient Near Eastern contexts, and contemporary scholarly debate. Includes a publishable exegetical paper on a selected Old Testament text.
BIB 702
3 creditsAdvanced Greek exegesis and historical-critical engagement with New Testament theology, Gospel studies, Pauline theology, Johannine literature, Second Temple Judaism, canon formation, and contemporary hermeneutics. Includes a doctoral-style research paper.
Advanced seminars
Students complete six advanced seminars for 18 credits in theological method, doctrine, ethics, and global Christianity.
THEO 801
3 creditsA study of revelation, authority, theology and philosophy, faith and reason, theological epistemology, and constructive methodology through major Christian theologians.
THEO 802
3 creditsAdvanced engagement with political, liberation, postcolonial, Black, feminist, and public theologies, including the theological question of liberation.
THEO 803
3 creditsHistorical development of Christian doctrine from the early church through patristic, medieval, Reformation, modern, and contemporary theology.
THEO 804
3 creditsAn advanced seminar in Nicene theology, Chalcedonian Christology, contemporary Christological debates, Trinitarian theology, the Holy Spirit, and ecumenical perspectives.
THEO 805
3 creditsChristian theology in relation to human rights, economic ethics, bioethics, environmental ethics, justice and peace, and culture.
THEO 806
3 creditsChristianity as a global movement through African, Asian, Latin American, and Indigenous theologies, global Pentecostalism, and mission theology.
Applied formation
Students select two courses for six credits.
PRA 821
Spiritual disciplines, mysticism, holiness traditions, and formation for leadership.
PRA 822
Just War tradition, pacifism, reconciliation, and Christian witness in conflict.
PRA 823
Theological preaching, narrative preaching, prophetic proclamation, and public communication.
PRA 824
Advanced pastoral care, spiritual direction, trauma-informed ministry, and pastoral ethics.
PRA 825
Organizational leadership, strategic planning, change management, and ecclesial administration.
PRA 826
American religious history, revivalism, political theology, and cultural engagement.
Graduate capabilities
Upon successful completion of the MTh, graduates will be able to:
Doctoral pathway
Students intending doctoral study are strongly encouraged to select the Thesis Option, replacing one or two electives with advanced research work.
RES 890 · 3 credits
Research design, literature review, methodological framework, doctoral preparation, and academic presentation.
RES 899 · 3–6 credits
An original 25,000–40,000-word thesis under faculty supervision with original argument, extensive scholarly engagement, and oral defense before a faculty committee.
All MTh graduates demonstrate competency in advanced academic research, theological scholarship, and scholarly writing through the Karlstadt Scholars Colloquium.
Scholarly database research, bibliographic construction, literature analysis, and research design.
Primary source analysis, historical research, comparative theology, and critical evaluation.
Journal articles, book reviews, conference papers, and doctoral proposals.
A non-credit requirement featuring faculty lectures, research presentations, visiting scholar seminars, doctoral preparation workshops, and publication development sessions.
Structured for PhD, ThD, DPhil, and related doctoral programs.
Each student works closely with a faculty mentor in a selected field of specialization.
Direct interaction with primary theological texts from the Church Fathers through contemporary theologians.
World Christianity and intercultural theological dialogue shape the program's scope.
Guidance toward conference presentations and peer-reviewed publication.
Academic rigor joins spiritual formation, ecclesial service, and Christian leadership.
Graduation requires completion of 30 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.30, demonstrated advanced research competence, participation in the Karlstadt Scholars Colloquium, and either a comprehensive examination or approved MTh thesis.
Explore admissionsRigorous scholarship for the church and the world.