Master of Theology

120 Credit-Hours

Fully Online

Flexible Payment Plans

Are You Equipped to Articulate and Defend What the Bible Actually Says?

If you aren’t equipped to go to the source and dig into the Greek and Hebrew for yourself, will you ever truly feel confident in what you are teaching and holding to be true?

Let us assure you of a few things right now. First, the Bible is true: God’s word is inerrant and perfectly true. Second, you certainly are not alone. Most people wrestle with these questions in ministry. Third, Southern Evangelical Seminary — and the Master of Theology program in particular — can give you the foundation you are looking for today.

There are many good options for seminary training that could equip you for teaching and ministry, but the Master of Theology degree program is one of the best investments you could make. It is rigorous; gets far beyond the basics in theology and linguistic studies, and offers you the broadest foundation for further study. If you are considering an academic career or teaching in some capacity at a Bible College or University, the Th.M. degree often carries more weight than other programs, including many Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degrees.

Read below for the details of this flexible program, and download your FREE ebook to see how such training relates to real-world Gospel issues.

Become a Biblical Scholar

The Th.M. is uniquely helpful for those called to teaching or a pastoral ministry role. Many of our Th.M. students are currently serving in just such a role. Others see teaching and/or Biblical research as something they aspire to in the future. In either case, you will be hard-pressed to find a better, more robust, or thorough foundation than the Master of Theology. In particular, its emphasis on instruction in the Biblical languages and hermeneutics will give you a strong skill set for interpretation and teaching.

Preparation for the Future

The groundwork this degree establishes would make your focus and studies in a future Ph.D. program even more fruitful and tailored to different ministry and career opportunities. Of course, the Th.M., like all of the programs at SES, offers you the opportunity to study and establish a confident framework of philosophy and apologetics. In addition, it will prepare you to understand our culture’s various rejections of the gospel and how to defend our faith in Christ in the face of misunderstanding, hostility, and persecution.

This seminary level degree prepares you for academic research and ministry and can lead to future doctoral study. It is ideal for those preparing for Teaching or Pastoral Ministry.

Your Academic Experience at SES

We aren’t catching up with the distance learning trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you'll enjoy a flexible, compelling, connected, environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in.

Collaborate with your peers through our integrated approach

Interact with professors during many live-streamed classes

Conduct research in one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created

(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)

Learn more about the remarkable digital campus experience at SES that will help you thrive as a student and be equipped with the technology tools you’ll need in ministry.

In the Master of Theology Program, You Will:

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

Download Your FREE eBook Today!

"In our day and age, the watershed issue is believing the message of the Bible. There are many movements and ideologies fighting to eclipse the biblical message and the foundations of true truth that undergird the authority and inerrancy of the Bible. Southern Evangelical Seminary has uniquely fought this battle by standing for the total truthfulness of Scripture in an age compromised by skepticism, agnosticism, postmodernism, social justice, critical race theory, and any other ‘ism’ that raises itself up against the knowledge of God."

Bill Roach

SES ALUM

Courses of Interest in the Th.M. Program

Advanced Greek Exegesis

Delve into the original Greek of select New Testament texts equipped to apply your knowledge of syntax and grammar and produce your own translation.

Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis

Sharpen your command of Biblical Hebrew’s sentence structure, nuances of meaning, and contemporary conventions that reveal the original writers’ intent.

Hermeneutics

This class will synthesize other interpretive and research skills you have cultivated to equip you for a confident approach to understanding and teaching the Bible.

Full Course Listing

PREREQUISITE COURSE – 3 hours Pass/Fail

SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)

APOLOGETICS – 18 hours

AP501 Intro to Christian Apologetics or APe (3)
AP503 Logic (3)
AP511 Christian Apologetic Systems (3)
AP512 Ethics (3)
AP518 Resurrection of Jesus (3)
APe Elective (3)

PHILOSOPHY – 6 hours

PH501 Classical Philosophy (3)
PH601 Philosophy of Religion (3)

BIBLICAL LANGUAGES – 21 hours

GK501 Greek Grammar 1 (3)
GK502 Greek Grammar 2 (3)
GK503 Greek Syntax & Exegesis (3)
GK504 Advanced Greek Exegesis (3)
HB501 Biblical Hebrew 1 (3)
HB502 Biblical Hebrew 2 (3)
HB503 Hebrew Syntax & Exegesis (3)

BIBLICAL STUDIES – 18 hours

OT501 Old Testament Survey 1: Genesis–Esther (3)
OT502 Old Testament Survey 2: Job–Malachi (3)
OT703 Old Testament Hebrew Book Study (3)
NT501 New Testament Survey 1: Gospels & Acts (3)
NT502 New Testament Survey 2: Epistles & Rev. (3)
NT703 New Testament Greek Book Study (3)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – 6 hours

CE501 Educational Program of the Church (3)
CE502 Discipleship (3)

HISTORICAL THEOLOGY – 9 hours

HT501 Historical Theology: A Survey (3)
HT502 Church History 1: Beginning – 1500 (3)
HT503 Church History 2: 1500 – Present (3)

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM – 9 hours

ME507 History of Missions & World Christianity (3)
ME508 Biblical Theology & Principles of Missions (3)
ME510 Culture & Worldview (3)

PASTORAL THEOLOGY – 12 hours

PT501 Homiletics (3)
PT502 Pastoral Care (3)
PT503 Biblical Counseling (3)
PT507 Expository Preaching (3)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY – 15 hours

ST501 Prolegomena & Bibliology (3)
ST502 Theology Proper & Creation (3)
ST503 Hamartiology & Soteriology (3)
ST504 Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, & Eschatology (3)
ST505 Hermeneutics (3)
ST511 Advanced Hermeneutics (3)

THESIS OR MINISTRY PROJECT – 3 hours

TH501–3 Thesis Research or
MP501–3 Ministry Project (3)

FIELD EXPERIENCE – 0 hours

FE501 Field Experience 1 (0)
FE502 Field Experience 2 (0)

GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

Have earned a bachelors degree from an institution
accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, the United
States Department of Education, or the equivalent (as assessed by SES)
GPA of 2.5 or above for their undergraduate program

PROVISIONAL GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, he may be granted a Provisional Admission. This requires
that the student maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on the first semester of work at SES in order to be granted full admission.

A Valuable Degree with Exceptionally Affordable Tuition

Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.

As a result, we're delighted to tell you that you'll have a very difficult time finding a better tuition rate than what we offer at SES: $475 per credit hour.

^$475

per credit hour

Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.

LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER ON YOUR TUITION

Financial Aid & Discounts

Why Should You Seriously Consider Studying at SES?

You almost certainly have at least some basic — and perhaps even advanced — knowledge of Christian apologetics. Many new students at SES have studied books like Tactics by Gregory Koukl, Lewis' Mere Christianity, or I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by SES alum Frank Turek and SES co-founder Norman Geisler. These are all very helpful resources, but perhaps you have reached that point in your self-guided research where you hit a wall or find yourself out of your depth.

Apologetics, theology, and even Bible study will never reach their potential without being grounded in sound philosophy. It's not a matter of whether you're doing philosophy. It's a matter of whether you're doing it well or poorly. You can be a good philosopher without being a good apologist or theologian, but it does not work the other way around! Giving you the philosophical foundation you need for both theology and apologetics is just one of the ways that a degree or certificate from SES will serve you well.

Built for Your Calling

Whether you are pursuing full-time vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, this program is designed to provide a path for your success.

Full-Time Ministry

Christians are called to be salt and light in our world, and leaders should be equipped to confidently engage the ideas shaping today’s culture. Apologetics training is essential for breaking down barriers and effectively leading others. As you pursue God’s calling on your life through ministry, a seminary education will maximize your impact.

Personal Ministry

If your personal study hasn’t yielded the growth you’re looking for, formal training can equip you to answer hard questions and present the truth in love. Being grounded in apologetics prepares you to be fruitful in all aspects of your personal ministry. Our apologetics program offers structured training you need to share the faith and defend truth in everyday life.

Ready to Apply Now?

Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.