Master of ­Theological Studies­

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program is designed for students with a first degree and some professional experience. It offers students continuing education in the field of theology to broaden their horizon and deepen their knowledge in a selected area of emphasis. The major modules cover Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Mission Studies, and Church Growth. Students can choose one of the following specializations: Adventist Studies or Mission Studies.

 

Is the MTS program for you?

The MTS program at Friedensau Adventist University is just the right program for you if you want to...

  • enter an academic program especially designed for students looking for European university education
  • upgrade your education with a church and state-accredited, research-oriented postgraduate degree
  • prepare for a professional career in a leadership position within the Christian church or in contemporary society
  • study Seventh-day Adventism—its history, teachings, world view, and changing role in the contemporary world—within the context of European culture, history, and theology
  • study Christian or Adventist mission—including its history and theology, mission theory and practice—within the context of religious studies, world religions, and global Christianity
  • become a well-trained pastor, teacher, church administrator, cross-cultural worker, or leader in development cooperation
  • pursue an academic career in fields such as Adventist Studies, Inter-Church Relations, Denominational History, or Mission Studies
  • qualify for doctoral work (thesis research)

Application period

For the summer semester:

Applicants who need visa:
April 1 to August 31

Applicants who do not need visa:
December 1 to February 28

For the winter semester:

Applicants who need visa:
December 1 to March 31

Applicants who do not need visa:
March 1 to July 31

Beginning of the program

Winter semester
Summer semester

term dates:

Winter term: October – February
Summer term: March – September

Length of the program

Full-time studies: 2 years / 4 semesters

Study options

Full-time studies

Part-time studies available upon request

Degree

Master of Theological Studies
(120 credits)

Language

English

Tuition

Financial Bulletin

apply now

Overview of all grants

Akkreditiert

­Adventist ­Studies

The Adventist Studies specialization encompasses advanced studies of the history and theology of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It leads students to a better comprehension of the development, self-understanding, and societal role of the denomination and enables them to work in leading functions in the church, in inter-church relations, in research settings and in academia.

Friedensau is about the cross-cultural flair and the scholarly pledge that helped me through much-appreciated reflections on Adventist Studies.

Sully Sanon (Haiti), MTS Graduate

After a twelve-year career as an electronic engineer and earning a BA in Theology, I joined the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Friedensau. During this exciting journey, I have experienced God in new ways which enhanced my relationship with Him. I also developed a better understanding of the Adventist church and the challenges we are facing in today’s world. The MTS also prepared me to pursue doctoral studies in Europe.

Eudritch Jean (Haiti), MTS Graduate

Adventist Studies? Why should we look back into the history of Adventism?

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church has existed for more than 150 years, and it is our privilege to explore how a tiny band of American believers has developed into one of the most widespread Protestant denominations. As we do so together, we want to learn for our contemporary ministry, discuss the challenges ahead, and contribute to global conversations in Adventism.

We invite you not only to be our student, but to be our colleague in understanding God's ways with the Adventist denomination in the past and present and to be a fellow researcher in the fascinating history of the movement to which we belong."

Stefan Höschele, PhD (University of Malawi), Professor of Systematic Theology and Adventist Studies; Vice Dean, School of Theology

Icon PlusContent

The program consists of 10 modules with 10 credits each (including an Electives or Research module and a Research Methods module), plus the Master's Thesis with 20 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits. At least four research papers (5,000 words) are required. The research-oriented Master's Thesis (20,000 words) is written during the final year of study. A regular module consists of three to four courses plus a research paper or an examination. Each semester, 2 of the 8 major modules plus electives / research / thesis module are offered, requiring 4 semesters or 2 years of full-time studies (in residence).

In Adventist Studies, the following modules are offered:

  • MAS 01 Issues in Church History
  • MAS 02 Biblical Studies I
  • MAS 03 Biblical Studies II
  • MAS 04 Church and Society
  • MAS 05 History of Seventh-day Adventists
  • MAS 06 Adventist Theology in Context
  • MAS 07 Religious Studies
  • MAS 08 Theological Studies
  • MAS 09 Research Methods
  • MEL 10 Electives or Research Module
  • MEL 11 Electives or Research Module
  • MEL 12 Electives or Research Module
  • MAS 13 Master’s Thesis

For more details, see the MTS Module Handbook

We would like to answer your questions!

If you want to apply for this program, please contact:

Prof. Stefan Höschele

Ph.D. (University of Malawi)
Professor for Systematic Theology and Adventist Studies
Vice Dean, School of Theology
Director of the Institute for Adventist Studies

Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-121
Email:

An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau

Irina Heinz

Head | Admissions Office and International Office

Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-134
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:

An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau

­Mission­ Studies

The Mission Studies specialization focuses on ministry post-Christian societies, the history and theology of Christian mission, on intercultural relations, and on the relationship to people of other religious faiths. The goal is to develop a thoroughly reflected theological understanding of Christian mission and ministry. Students will gain advanced competencies and skills that are relevant for serving in countries where Christianity is not the traditional religion or cultural background or where the influence of the Christian faith waned.

The MTS program enlarged my vision and equipped me with the necessary tools for doing mission in an increasingly secularized world.

Vladimir Krumov (Bulgaria), MTS Graduate

Ten years into my ministry as a pastor, I decided to join the Mission Studies program at Friedensau. God's great call made me reconsider how we do ministry in the challenging climate of my country. The Czech Republic is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and religious affiliations are disappearing fast. I am now learning to find new ways for proclaiming the gospel, planting new churches and reviving existing ones in a post-Christian environment.

Tomáš Dymáček (Czech Republic)

Study mission?

Is mission not something we simply have to do?

"Mission Studies is a discipline that has existed for about five generations, and we want to contribute our share to understanding how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can cross cultural divides today, how our witness can reach people in secular societies, how the Kingdom of God can become a tangible reality in the midst of the plural world in which we are placed.
We invite you not only to be our student, but to be our colleague in finding avenues to reach the world with the good news and to be a fellow researcher in the most important activity—communicating about God."

Prof. Stefan Höschele, PhD (University of Malawi), Vice Dean, School of Theology; missionary to Algeria (1993-94) and Tanzania (1997-2003)

Icon PlusContent

The program consists of 10 modules with 10 credits each (including an Electives or Research module and a Research Methods module), plus the Master's Thesis or Project with 20 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits. At least four research papers (5,000 words) are required. The research-oriented Master's Thesis (20,000 words) is written during the final year of study. A regular module consists of three to four courses plus a research paper or an examination. Each semester, 2 of the 8 major modules plus electives / research / thesis / project module are offered, requiring 4 semesters or 2 years of full-time studies (in residence).

In Mission Studies, the following modules are offered:

  • MMS 01 History and Theology of Mission
  • MMS 02 Biblical Studies I
  • MMS 03 Spirituality and Discipleship
  • MMS 04 Church and Society
  • MMS 05 Missiological Issues
  • MMS 06 Adventist Theology in Context
  • MMS 07 Church Dynamics
  • MPM 08 Theological Studies or MMS 08 Religious Studies
  • MMS 09 Research Methods
  • MEL 10 Elective or Research Module
  • MEL 11 Elective or Research Module
  • MEL 12 Elective or Research Module
  • MMS 13 Master’s Thesis or MMS 14 Project

For more details, see the MTS Module Handbook.

We would like to answer your questions!

If you want to apply for this program, please contact:

Dr. László Szabó

Associate Professor of Mission Studies and Intercultural Studies
Director of Arthur Daniells Institute of Mission Studies (ADIMIS)

Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-204
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:

An der Ihle 5 B
39291 Möckern-Friedensau

Irina Heinz

Head | Admissions Office and International Office

Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-134
Fax: +49 (0) 3921 916-201
Email:

An der Ihle 5 A
39291 Möckern-Friedensau

Icon PlusWhy become a student in the MTS program at Friedensau?

  • Discover the historic heartland of Protestantism
  • Get to know Germany–right in the centre of Europe
  • Make life-long friends with other international students
  • Delve into Adventist history and theology, beliefs and values
  • Reflect on the relevance of Adventism for the present and future
  • Live on a beautiful campus, just an hour from Germany's capital Berlin
  • Study with an internationally trained and highly qualified faculty
  • Use the large library and its superior research facilities
  • Enjoy special excursions to historic sites and mission projects
  • Benefit from the university's low-price policy

Admission ­requirements­

Proficiency in the English language (CEFR level B2) is required and certification is to be provided (TOEFL iBT 79 points, IELTS 6.0 points, TOEIC 785 listening and reading points / 310 speaking and writing points). A Bachelor's or Master's degree completed in an educational institution with English as a medium of instruction will also be accepted as proof of language proficiency. Furthermore, applicants must provide evidence of work experience of at least one year in an area related to the program.

For the Adventist Studies concentration, a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in theology or religion with a final grade of at least "good" (B+) is required. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in other fields of study must earn 60 credits (or 1 year of study) in theology and acquire intermediate certificates in Greek and Hebrew (with a minimum of 90 hours of instruction in Greek and 60 hours in Hebrew); a language examination may be required for admission.

For the Mission Studies concentration, a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a discipline among the humanities or social sciences with a final grade of at least "good" (B+) is required. In addition, significant knowledge of a modern language other than English is a prerequisite (at least Level B1). Applicants must demonstrate their aptitude and motivation by submitting a text that explains their understanding of present challenges of mission practice and mission studies.

Admission ­Process

  • The applicant submits the complete application file online within the application deadline.
  • The application for admission will be examined by the Admissions Committee and the Finance Committee within 1 week to 1 month. The decision on admission will be made under consideration of the admission capacity and the clarified student financing.
  • The applicant will be notified in writing by e-mail within one week after the meeting of the Admissions Committee and Finance Committee.
  • The admitted applicant will be asked to transfer the down payment and the deposit to FAU within 2-3 weeks after being informed about the decision on admission, EU citizens by August 31 at the latest, non-EU citizens by May 31 at the latest.
  • Upon the receipt of the down payment and deposit, the Admissions Office will send the letter of admission as well as information on the start of studies and the arrival to the prospective student. In case the prospective student needs a visa, further documents relevant for the embassy will be sent within 1 month.
  • Information on visa:
    • The prospective student needs a student visa. We recommend that the prospective student checks in advance how much time he/she needs in order to get an appointment at the respective embassy. The visa application normally takes 6-8 weeks.
    • Upon the receipt of the visa, the prospective student notifies and informs the Admissions Office about the flight schedule, taking into consideration the appointment for the pickup service.
    • The Admissions Office offers 1 or 2 appointments for a pickup service of the prospective students from the airports in Berlin to FAU, normally on Friday or Sunday/Monday, depending on the number of the prospective students. The dates for the pickup service will be communicated after the visa has been received.

The easiest way for applicants to FAU is the online application—simply create a user account and start the online application right away.

Bild der THH Friedensau

Any Questions?

  • on the program
  • on the application procedure
  • on finances
  • or in general:

I would like to answer your questions!

Irina Heinz

Telephone: +49 (0) 3921 916-134
Email:

Get in contact!

Get in ­contact!­

=
Forms are popular gates for hackers/bots. Please solve the task above so that we can be sure that you are a person. Thanks!