Beeson Divinity School Master of Theology

Is This Program for Me?

This degree is designed for those who desire more advanced study for ministry or more preparation for a research doctoral degree. It is for those students who want to sharpen their skills in biblical exegesis, historical theology and/or preaching and pastoral care; to grow in spiritual maturity; and to develop competence in research and writing, preparing some for doctoral work.

Why Earn Your ThM at Beeson?

As with Beeson’s MDiv and PhD programs, the emphasis in the ThM is on theology in the service of the church and the kingdom of God.

Students are not required to specialize in one field of study. The program is flexible, allowing some students to use it to prepare for doctoral research and allowing others to enhance their learning and skills in a variety of subjects related to the service of the Lord and His church. Each student will be assisted in developing their program of study by a member of the Beeson faculty.

Program Design

The program requires the successful completion of 30 credit hours, consisting of advanced master’s-level courses and/or PhD seminars (24 credit hours) and capstone research papers or a thesis (6 credit hours). Students may be given transfer credit for up to six (6) credit hours of advanced master’s level coursework completed in previous graduate theological studies.

Courses and seminars are delivered in a mix of modular and residential formats, depending on a student’s specific program of study. At least two courses, whether regular or guided research, must be “writing courses” in which a student writes major research papers under the guidance of their instructors. Students may satisfy the capstone research requirement either by writing these two papers or by writing a single thesis on a specialized topic under the supervision of a regular member of the Beeson faculty.

Master's Program Application Process

Admission Requirements

Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, and Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Candidates for the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS), Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) and non-degree programs must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate Christian character and commitment to ministry.

Master of Theology

Candidates for the Master of Theology (ThM) must possess a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited school whose standards are similar to those of Beeson Divinity School and demonstrate Christian character and commitment to ministry. Additionally, ThM candidates should have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all previous graduate coursework and demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew or Greek, as appropriate to research interest.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

There are two application cycles for the MDiv, MATS, MACC and ThM.

Fall Entry Term

Priority Deadline: February 1*
Final Deadline: June 1

Spring Entry Term

Priority Deadline: September 1*
Final Deadline: December 1

*Persons who complete an application by the priority deadline for the respective entry term will be considered first for admission and scholarship. Admission and scholarship decision letters are sent within one month of each priority deadline to those who complete an application by the deadline.

Those who apply after the priority deadline but before the final deadline will receive admission and scholarship decision letters on a rolling basis, typically within one month of completing the application.

Application Requirements

All items on this checklist must be received by the application deadline. Further instruction is given on the online application.

Online Application Form
Essay(s)*
- - Personal Faith and Vocation Essay (required for all degree programs)
  - Apostles' Creed Essay (MDiv applicants applying for tier one scholarships only)
  - Academic Writing Sample (ThM applicants only)
*See the online application for full essay prompts.
Recommendations
- Academic Recommendation (to be completed by a college- or graduate-level instructor)
- Character Recommendation (to be completed by a pastor, church member, campus minister, mentor or employer who can speak to your Christian character and calling to ministry; cannot be a family member or friend)
- Church Endorsement (to be completed by your senior pastor or a full-time church elder or minister; cannot be a family member).
Admission Interview
- MDiv and MATS applicants are responsible for scheduling an interview with the admission staff prior to the application deadline. In-person interviews on Samford's campus are preferred, but Zoom interviews are acceptable. Schedule your interview through the application portal.
- MACC and ThM candidates will not schedule an interview during the application process. Final candidates will be invited to interview later.
Official Transcript(s): Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended since high school graduation are required. Please see the application portal for instructions about how to send the transcripts.
$35 Nonrefundable Application Fee: This fee is to be paid by credit card when submitting an online application. The fee is waived for graduates of Samford University and students who attend a Preview Day or an official campus visit.