Perkins students in the Master of Theological Studies program access expert faculty and excellent facilities.

Graduate programs

Master of Theological Studies

Move fully into the life of service to which God has called you.

Request Info

Apply

Program format

In-person

Commitment

Full time or part time; thesis or summative project required

Duration

Two-plus years

Overview

The Master of Theological Studies degree will assist those with a desire to strengthen their theological education for personal enrichment, leadership in the church as a lay minister or to lay the groundwork for an academic doctorate in religious studies.

While offering a solid foundation of theological disciplines, this unique program enables students to plan their studies so that they serve both their personal theological interests and professional goals. Concentrations of study include: 

  • Biblical studies
  • Church history
  • Moral theology/theology and culture
  • Practical theology/Christianity and society
  • Systematic theology
  • World Christianity/world religions

Thinking Grad School? Think SMU.

Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at SMU, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at SMU.

Student success

For Academic Year 2023-2024, 97% of reporting graduates were employed, in the military, enrolled in continuing education, or engaged in volunteer service.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Faith-based leadership
  • Education
  • Faith-based media/publishing
  • Community development
  • Ecclesiastical administration
  • Nonprofit management

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

55%

of Perkins students are enrolled in the M.Div. program

98%

of Perkins graduate students receive scholarships

Student stories

Rosedanny Ortiz found her calling with Perkins School of Theology at SMU.

Rosedanny Ortiz

A proud native of Puerto Rico discovered her calling to ministry after an unexpected shift toward theology.

Master of Divinity student Calyn Donaldson found purpose in her work in the best theology school in Texas.

Calyn Donaldson

Calyn believes that if anyone has the opportunity to work in the office of student engagement, they should take it.

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Find answers to Perkins School of Theology application questions

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. Applicants for the above degree program must have completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in a well-balanced, pretheological curriculum. Other considerations include seriousness of purpose, emotional stability and likelihood of satisfactory performance in the degree program.

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition & financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum & learning

Featured courses

NT 8365

Evil, Suffering and Death in the New Testament

An exploration of views on evil, suffering, death and afterlife evinced by various New Testament authors.

BB 7330

Disability Studies, the Bible and Theology

An exploration of the intersection of disability studies, biblical studies and theology.

OT 8368

Film and the Hebrew Bible

An examination of biblical literature and its representations through movies, documentaries and educational materials.

View course catalog

Outside of the classroom

News

Faculty

Perkins professors will help you clarify your own understanding of the Christian faith, challenge you to examine ideas new to you and prepare you for faithful leadership in the church of the 21st century. See Perkins’ faculty’s latest publications, speaking engagements, awards and more here. 

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Wesley Allen

Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics
Christopher Anderson

Christopher Anderson

Associate Professor of Sacred Music
Photo of Dr. Frederick Aquino

Frederick Aquino

Professor of Systematic Theology
Karen Baker-Fletcher

Karen Baker-Fletcher

Professor of Systematic Theology
photo of April Johnson Bristow

April J. Bristow

Associate Director Intern Program

Ashley Boggan

Affiliate Assistant Research Professor of Methodist Studies

Jaime Clark-Soles

Professor of New Testament Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor
Anthony Elia

Anthony Elia

Director of Bridwell Library and J.S. Bridwell Foundation Endowed Librarian
Headshot of Dallas Gingles

Dallas J. Gingles

Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program Assistant Dean of Hybrid Education Associate …

Kate Hanch

Director of the Baptist House of Studies
Dr. Heller

Roy Heller

Professor of Old Testament Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor Director of the…
Robert A. Hunt

Robert Hunt

Professor of Christian Mission and Interreligious Relations Director of Global…

James Kang Hoon Lee

Professor of Early Christianity, Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor

John Levison

W. J. A. Power Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew
Tamara E. Lewis, Instructor in Church History, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Tamara Lewis

Professor of the Practice of Historical Theology

Steve Long

Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics
Hugo Magallanes

Hugo Magallanes

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Director, CASA Director, United Methodist Regional …

Bruce D. Marshall

Bruce Marshall

Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine
Alyce McKenzie

Alyce McKenzie

Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor…

Rebekah Miles

Albert C. Outler Chair of Wesley Studies Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor

Emily Nelms Chastain

Assistant Professor of Christian History & Methodist Studies

Priscilla Pope-Levison

Research Professor of Practical Theology
Harold J. Recinos

Harold Recinos

Professor of Church and Society

Susanne Scholz

Susanne Scholz

Professor of Old Testament

Abraham Smith

Professor of New Testament

Marcell Steuernagel

Associate Professor of Church Music Director of the Master of Sacred Music Program…
Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner

Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner

Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology

Bryan P. Stone

Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean Professor of Theology

Theodore Walker

Associate Professor of Ethics and Society
Sze-kar Wan

Sze-kar Wan

Professor of New Testament

Pam White

Director of the Intern Program

Facilities

Perkins’ facilities offer sacred spaces for instruction in preaching and teaching.

M.Div. and M.A.M. students benefit from the historic Bridwell Library at Perkins School of Theology.

Bridwell Library

This historical library includes a full range of theological, biblical and historical materials relating to the development of Christianity.

Learn more

Students called to ministry will appreciate the historic Perkins Chapel on campus at Perkins School of Theology at SMU.

Perkins Chapel

The chapel plays a vital role in the spiritual formation and education of those preparing for leadership in the Christian church.

Learn more

Request more info about this program

Request more information

Frequently asked questions

Related programs