ATS degree programs have three designations: Graduate Diploma, Master of Arts, and Master of Divinity. For each degree, students must choose one of seven possible focus areas: Biblical Studies, Christian Education, Counseling, Intercultural and Urban Studies, Pastoral Studies, Theology, and Transformational and Urban Leadership.
Graduate Diploma (G.Dip.) programs are designed for students who find it best to pursue a shorter program of study. All coursework is at the graduate level and the credits may be transferred to the Master of Arts or Master of Divinity programs if the student decides to go further on in their studies. Graduate Diploma programs may be completed in one to two years.
Master of Arts (M.A.) can either be an academic (Thesis Track) or a professional (Non-Thesis Track) program. Those who complete the program should be able to:
- Integrate the Christian faith in the practice of their chosen profession.
- Model a life showing an internally formed biblical holiness.
- Interpret the Bible adequately and apply biblical insights to effect holistic transformation within their spheres of influence.
- Demonstrate competencies in their chosen profession.
The Master of Arts program consists of 57 credit units of core, focus, and elective courses, with Writing Academic Papers and Introduction to the Bible as prerequisites; these prerequisites may be validated for exemption. A comprehensive exam maybe required depending on the focus area chosen.
Units earned under the MA program may be credited towards the Master of Divinity degree.
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a professional degree program designed to prepare students for a variety of ministries. Each M.Div. degree contains 20 core courses (60 units), 8 to 11 focus courses (24 to 33 units), and up to 2 elective courses (0-6 units) depending on the focus area, for a total of 30 courses (90 units). Writing Academic Papers and Introduction to the Bible are pre-requisites to the program. These pre-requisites may be validated for exemption.
A student who does not hold a Bachelor’s Degree may qualify for graduate or masters level programs as a diploma student. ATS is sensitive to the call of God upon the lives of mature men and women who do not posses the academic qualifications for graduate study at the Seminary. Upon successful completion of their selected degree program, they will be awarded a diploma in the particular focus area of study rather than a master’s degree: Diploma for the one-year program, Diploma of Arts for the two-year program, and a Diploma of Divinity for the three-year program. Diploma graduates who present evidence of obtaining a bachelor’s degree within five years of completing their program at the Seminary are eligible to exchange their diploma for the specific ATS master’s degree for which they are now qualified.
SUMMARY OF DEGREE PROGRAM DESIGNATIONS
| PROGRAM | MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENT | NUMBER OF UNITS | MAJOR REQUIREMENT |
| Graduate Diploma | Bachelor’s Degree | 27-33 units | Comprehensive Examination depending on Program of Study |
| Master of Arts (Academic/ Thesis Track) | Bachelor’s Degree | 60 units Transformational Urban Leadership: 45 units | Thesis (required) Comprehensive Examination depending on the Program of Study |
| Master of Arts (Professional/ Non-Thesis Track) | Bachelor’s Degree | 57 units Transformational Urban Leadership: 45 units | Capstone Project and Comprehensive Examination depending on the Program of Study |
| Master of Divinity (Thesis Track) | Bachelor’s Degree | 90 units | Thesis (6 units) Comprehensive Examination depending on the Program of Study |
| Master of Divinity (Non-Thesis Track) | Bachelor’s Degree | 90 units | 1-year program |
| OTHER PROGRAMS | (*see Admissions page for other requirements) | NUMBER OF UNITS | NUMBER OF YEARS |
| Diploma | No academic documents required | 27-30 units | 1 year program |
| Diploma of Arts | No academic documents required | 57 units | 2-year program |
| Diploma of Divinity | No academic documents required | 90 units | 3-year program |
Residential Programs
ATS programs are designed to provide biblical, theological, and ministerial foundations for ministry. Our holistic programs see to the formation of students personally, professionally, and spiritually. The emphasis on praxis helps students integrate theory and practice. Regular programs are ‘ladderized’, which give students the option to begin with the Graduate Diploma and eventually build it […]
Read More
FULLY ONLINE AND HYBRID PROGRAMS
GO DEEPER. GO ONLINE. Be equipped for your vocation wherever you may be. Learn from the same professors who teach at our campus without being uprooted. ATS provides Christian workers like you access to quality theological education through two (2) fully online programs and one (1) hybrid program.
Read More
Doctoral Studies
Read More
Strategic Leader Development Center (SLDC)
SLDC aims to provide professional programs to equip leaders in the Church and the workplace. It prepares the leader in knowledge, skills, character, and competencies in their chosen fields such as non-profit management, pastoral work, resource development, and entrepreneurial leadership. ATS SLDC also offers short-term courses and seminars for leaders who want to update, upgrade […]
Read More