Master of Theological Studies
Program Overview
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is designed for those who desire deep theological formation rooted in Scripture and shaped for thoughtful service in the Church and the world. This program offers focused, academically rigorous study of the Bible, theology, and the life of the Church, without the full pastoral‑practice emphasis of the Master of Divinity.
Through sustained engagement with Scripture and the theological tradition of the Church, the MTS helps you grow in clarity, discernment, and theological understanding. The program is especially well suited for those seeking advanced theological grounding for teaching, further academic study, ministry support roles, or informed leadership and service within the local church.
The 60‑credit‑hour Master of Theological Studies emphasizes careful reading of Scripture, disciplined theological reflection, and thoughtful engagement with the Church’s history and contemporary challenges.
The Master of Theological Studies is an academic and formational degree focused on deepening theological understanding and biblical literacy. It does not include the same level of pastoral‑practice training as the MDiv, but offers substantial theological depth for teaching, further academic study, or informed service within the Church.
The MTS is also available to take fully online.
Online Study Environment
The MTS – Online is intentionally designed to support theological formation at a distance. As a student, you will learn within a structured online environment that encourages disciplined study, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful engagement.
The program is:
- Theologically robust – offering comprehensive study of Scripture and theology at the graduate level
- Christ‑centered – taught by pastor‑scholars whose teaching and lives are shaped by the gospel and the service of the Church
- Interactive – fostering engagement with faculty and fellow students through guided discussion and collaborative learning
- Flexible – allowing full‑time or part‑time study, with courses offered fully online and, where appropriate, in combination with on‑campus learning
This structure allows you to pursue graduate‑level theological education while remaining faithful to current ministry, vocational, and family commitments.
Program Objectives
Over the course of the Master of Theological Studies, you will:
- Develop a deep and integrated understanding of biblical doctrine and the meaning and significance of Scripture.
- Gain advanced knowledge of the Old Testament and New Testament through sustained exegetical study.
- Engage thoughtfully with systematic and biblical theology within the life and tradition of the Church.
- Grow in awareness of contemporary moral, cultural, and ethical questions from a biblical perspective.
- Develop a broader understanding of the history of the Church and its theological development.
- Strengthen skills for theological research, critical analysis, and academic writing.
- Cultivate habits of careful thinking and faithful reflection that serve the Church with clarity and wisdom.
Curriculum Overview
| Course code | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 MTS Required Courses (all courses required) | 39 | |
| BNT500 | New Testament Introduction & Theology | 3 |
| BNT520 | Synoptic Gospels | 3 |
| BOT500 | Old Testament Introduction & Theology | 3 |
| BOT520 | Pentateuch | 3 |
| ICS505 | Essentials of Global Mission | 3 |
| LAN550 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
| RES700 | Summative Project | 3 |
| THH520 | Church History I | 3 |
| THH530 | Church History II | 3 |
| THS501 | Theological Foundations I | 3 |
| THS502 | Theological Foundations II | 3 |
| THS522 | Theology of Church & Ministry | 3 |
| THS530 | Moral Theology | 3 |
| Number Needed | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MTS Either/Or Elective (choose 1 course) | 3 |
| 6 | MTS Electives (choose 6 courses) | 18 |
Program Outcomes
Further education:
- Pursue advanced graduate study in theology or related disciplines.
- Continue into doctoral programs such as a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Theology.
- Prepare for further academic or professional theological training, subject to program requirements.
Career pathways:
- Serve in teaching or educational roles within churches, Christian schools, or ministry contexts
- Serve in ministry support, research, or theological resource roles
- Serve as a lay leader with advanced theological training within the local church
- Serve in parachurch, nonprofit, or mission organizations where theological depth and discernment are essential
"The Heritage MTS degree offers a depth-introduction to the key theological disciplines, with flexibility that allows students to pursue their unique passions. With this breadth and depth, graduates will possess the tools for a lifetime of digging deeper in God's Word and its application to life today."
Dr. Ian VaillancourtProfessor of Old Testament and Hebrew; Director of Distance Learning
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Master of Divinity or the Master of Theological Studies degree programs must have a minimum AGPA of 2.3 (C+) in their bachelor’s degree.
Applicants who do not meet these standards or are mature students may apply to the Graduate Certificate of Theological Studies program. Students who successfully complete the certificate may be eligible to enter a master’s degree program.
Mature Students
Mature applicants 28 years of age and over, who do not possess an undergraduate degree, may apply for either the M.Div. or M.T.S. in either one of two ways:
- Apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate of Theological Studies – Track to Degree program. Upon completion of this 30 credit hour program with an AGPA of 2.50 or above, and upon approval of the seminary faculty, the student may enter either the M.Div. or the M.T.S. Courses completed in the GCTS will be used in the new degree program.
- Demonstrate undergraduate degree equivalency. Students who have completed approximately 101 credit hours of studies at the post-secondary level from an accredited institution, or a variety of accredited institutions, may apply directly to the M.Div. or M.T.S. based on degree equivalency. Such applications will be reviewed by the Academic Dean of the seminary. The 101 undergraduate credit hours should consist of a broad variety of interdisciplinary studies as well as courses which required an adequate amount of academic research and writing. The Registrar may require the student to supply course syllabi in order for the Academic Dean to determine undergraduate degree equivalency.
Mature applicants must write a research essay as part of their application to help discern the prospective student’s fit for graduate-level theological education: how well can s/he read, comprehend, analyze, and argue a thesis. The applicant’s essay will be graded by a member of the seminary faculty to make this assessment. This research essay must be submitted as part the application process. An application will not be complete nor processed until this essay has been submitted.
Transfer Students
Students desiring to transfer into Heritage Theological Seminary from another seminary must arrange for a complete, official transcript to be sent from each post-secondary school previously attended. These transcripts must be sent directly to the Assistant Registrar – Seminary, Heritage Theological Seminary, 175 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, N3C 3T2.
Transfer students must have received an honourable dismissal from all other schools and may receive transfer credits from other recognized institutions for equivalent courses in their chosen program provided that they have earned a “C” grade or above. All transfer credits are subject to the discretion of the Registrar in consultation with the Academic Dean.
In order to be eligible to graduate from Heritage Seminary, transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Heritage Seminary, or one-half of the degree, whichever is less.
Advanced Standing
Heritage Seminary considers awarding Advanced Standing to students who have attained an undergraduate degree in Bible, Theology, Religious Education, or Religious Studies (e.g., B.Th., B.R.E., B.R.S.). Advanced Standing means that a student is given credit for previous academic work and is not required to take some of the prescribed courses for a degree. Several factors are weighed when considering whether or not an applicant is eligible for Advanced Standing. These include number of hours completed at the undergraduate level, AGPA, grades in individual courses, and the program to which a student has applied. Please refer to the Seminary Catalogue for more information.
To resume studies, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 1-800-465-1961 for more information.
International Students
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR 2026-2027:
Heritage College & Seminary has been informed that due to the cap on international study permits that has been instituted by the Government of Canada, study permits will not be granted to international students applying to Heritage College for the 2026-2027 academic year. Students may study from their home country via distance learning (synchronous or asynchronous online).
This information will be reassessed and updated for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Students from the United States of America
Applicants from the U.S.A. must meet the general admissions standards as explained above. Also, American students must have a valid study permit, which can be obtained at a port of entry or at the nearest Canadian Consulate. A student will need an acceptance letter and evidence of sufficient funds/financial support to obtain a study permit. This permit must be presented prior to enrollment. Proof of English language proficiency is not required for American citizens. Applicants should complete the International Student Application. After acceptance, applicants from the U.S.A. must apply for a study permit. To obtain more information on Canadian Immigration policies and procedures, see the Canadian government website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html.
Students from All Other Countries
Students are advised to apply at least nine months before their planned enrollment date to allow time for processing, acquiring permits and visas, etc. Students are admitted on the basis of graduation from a recognized college, university, or Bible/theological school. Applicants are responsible to provide documentation that verifies the level of their post-secondary training.
Transcripts: Official transcripts must be sent from all schools previously attended. Transcripts that are not written in English must be translated and notarized by an official translating company and sent directly to Heritage. International applicants must also provide a credential evaluation report from World Educational Services (WES) Canada. Applicants must request a “WES ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation Report” and choose Heritage College & Seminary as the recipient.
English Language Requirements: Proof of English Language proficiency is normally required from all international students with the exception of citizens from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and countries of the West Indies (except Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia).
Heritage accepts the following language proficiency tests:
1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Students must achieve a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, and a minimum score of 20 on each of the four sections. Tests can be booked at https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/. Heritage’s institutional code is: 1498.
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Students must achieve a minimum overall band score of 6.0 (6.0 in each band) on the IELTS Academic. Tests can be booked at https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/book-a-test.
3. The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- Students must achieve a minimum level of 7 on the CELPIP-General. Tests can be booked at https://www.celpip.ca/.
Study Permit and Visa: International students must obtain a valid study permit, and in some cases a visa, to study in Canada. To obtain a permit and, if necessary, a visa, international students must apply through Canadian Immigration officials in their home country or online at Immigration Canada’s official website. Students cannot begin their studies until the necessary immigration documents have been approved. To obtain more information on Canadian Immigration policies and procedures, see the Canadian government’s official website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigrationrefugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html.
It is strongly recommended that all applicants have a local support network (welcoming church, local agency, relatives, or other significant persons). This will contribute to the strength of an application.
International students are only accepted for fall term registration. Students will not be enrolled in studies unless the funds required for the first term of studies have been paid (tuition, emergency health insurance for one year, and if applicable, residence costs).
For step-by-step instructions for International Students, see the International Students page.
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