Our flagship degree program, the M.Litt., is a 72-hour, comprehensive Master’s degree. Of course, we also offer the traditional M.Div. with Greek and Hebrew studies, as well as several slightly trimmed down degrees (the M.A.T.S., Foundations, and Essentials). What do they have in common? All Tennent degrees require immersion in the Tennent Core, and deep engagement with the Old and New Testament, Historical Theology, and Applied Theology. All Tennent graduates are required to participate in our international Theological Field Education, and attend at least 8 weeks of stateside residencies. Here’s a brief overview of our degrees at a glance:
The Master of Letters (M.Litt.)—72 Hours
Most seminaries offer a standard Master of Divinity degree; you may be wondering why we began with a different degree. First, we want students to know up front that the education and experience you’ll receive at Tennent is unique, and the degree title hints at those differences. Moreover, at some universities, the M.Litt. is a research-based degree, while others offer it as a taught program. In our model, both aspects of learning are incorporated.
The Master of Letters is a well-regarded degree with a rich history, generally conferred in British universities in the theological disciplines. We hope to continue in that same tradition. Most importantly, the Master of Letters designation conveys our aim: that every student at Tennent would gain a mastery of the written Word and the great texts of classic Christian literature.
M.Litt. students complete a significant (40,000 word) thesis in a topic of their choice.
M.Litt. concentration options include:
Master of Letters in Old Testament
Master of Letters in New Testament
Master of Letters in Applied Theology
Master of Letters in Historical Theology
The Master of Biblical and Theological Foundations—54 hours
The Foundations degree, while quite similar to our Master of Letters program, only requires 54 credit-hours for graduation. Though students in the Master of Biblical and Theological Foundations program complete all sixteen courses in the Tennent core, as well as the field practicum, they are not required to complete a thesis or the biblical languages sequence. This allows for a slightly lighter load, generally 12 hours per term. This degree is most suitable for those who want to broaden their theological foundation, desire to serve in general ministry leadership roles (lay or vocational), have an earned undergraduate degree, and want to pursue advanced theological education without the thesis or language requirements.
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.)—60 hours
Students in our M.A.T.S. program will receive a pared-down, 60-hour degree. Each semester, M.A.T.S. students will select one course (not in their area of concentration) to audit. They will complete all other classes in full, but for the audited course, they will be exempt from readings and other assignments. At the residency, all students (regardless of degree track) will attend class in all four subject areas, and so will receive live instruction in every core discipline during each term.
Each student in our M.A.T.S. track is held to the same standard of excellence and rigor as students in our M.Litt. or M.Div. track. The only difference, then, is the number of credit hours. This might be an ideal setup for students who desire a comprehensive, integrated theological education but simply don’t have the bandwidth to keep up with the M.Litt. We would encourage M.A.T.S. students to peruse the book list for any classes audited and save them for future reading and interaction once the program is over.
M.A.T.S. options include:
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Old Testament Thesis Track
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Old Testament Language Track
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: New Testament Thesis Track
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: New Testament Language Track
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Applied Theology Track
Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Historical Theology Track
The Master of Theological Essentials—42 hours
The Essentials degree is built on the M.A.T.S model, but requires only 42 credit-hours for graduation. Like the M.A.T.S., the Essentials degree allows students to audit one course per term. Unlike the M.A.T.S., Master of Theological Essentials students are not required to complete a thesis or the biblical languages sequence. This allows for an even lighter load. This degree is most suitable for those who want to learn the basis of Christian thought, be better equipped to serve in general ministry roles (lay or vocational), have an earned undergraduate degree, and want to pursue advanced theological education without the thesis or language requirements.
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.)—90 hours
Most theological students are familiar with the M.Div. degree, which for many years has been the typical American pastor’s educational path. At Tennent, M.Div. students complete the same classes as M.Litt. students, but complete one additional term of coursework as well. This also makes it possible for M.Div. students to study both Greek and Hebrew during their time at Tennent.
This 90-hour degree equips all students through extensive language study, without a thesis requirement. All M.Div. students will take four terms of either Greek or Hebrew, and no fewer than two terms of the other. It is most suitable for those students who aspire to ministry leadership in the local church, would like the broadest base of training to that end, and would prefer original language study to theological/biblical research and writing.
M.Div. options include:
Master of Divinity: Hebrew Emphasis
Master of Divinity: Greek Emphasis
For all three degree programs, our academic aims remain the same.
Academic Aims
Upon graduation, students will:
Have grown in love for God, his Word, and his Church as gracious, humble, wise leaders formed in the image of Christ, obediently proclaiming his glory in the gospel in prayerful dependence upon the Spirit.
Have developed a love for the Word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments, including a thorough literary and theological understanding of how each book contributes to the canon of Scripture, the ability to do careful exegetical work that engages the original languages and historical context, the hermeneutical acumen to interpret Scripture faithfully in light of Christian doctrine, and the critical wisdom to apply Scripture to their own lives as well as the lives of others.
Have developed a love for orthodoxy, including a firm grasp of the most crucial theological and historical developments in the church, the ability to clearly formulate central doctrines from an evangelical and reformed perspective without sacrificing depth or nuance in theological articulation, and an irenic commitment to intellectual humility that serves their tradition faithfully.
Have developed a love for the Church and her global mission, including a vision for servant leadership, multiplying discipleship, and expository preaching, the ability to discern the climate and communicate the gospel in our cultural moment, and the commitment to serve as a Christ-like shepherd.
Have grown in love of learning by honing graduate-level skills in advanced research, writing, and critical thinking while developing specialized expertise in an area of concentration, either through the completion of a 40,000 word master’s thesis or through advanced studies in biblical languages.