Master of Theological Studies: Program Overview

A theology degree offers a path to deepen your own personal understanding of faith, a means to elevate the impact of your ministry, or the next steps toward a life of academic inquiry. A Jesuit approach to education—a commitment to teaching the whole person, encouraging intellectual, spiritual, and moral development¹—will lead to a uniquely rewarding course of study that blends spiritual formation with academic rigor.

At the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (JST-SCU), the Master of Theological Studies combines online and in-person learning options to offer students flexibility in pursuing their education. The program values fellowship and community alongside in-depth theological study and opens the doors to many opportunities for its students and alumni.

This article explores the distinctive features of the JST-SCU MTS program, from its comprehensive curriculum grounded in Jesuit principles, to its HyFlex (hybrid and flexible) learning format, and the career pathways it makes accessible for graduates.

Comprehensive Curriculum for Academic and Spiritual Growth

The Master of Theological Studies from JST-SCU is much more than just an online theology degree; it's a blended program that combines in-depth theological instruction, spiritual formation, and personal development. In practice, this means students are given the space to pursue subjects and issues that are important to them through the program's core courses, areas of concentration, or electives.

Guided by expert faculty with real-world theological experience, students engage with required courses in theology, supported by classes in one of six available areas of concentration:

• Biblical Studies
• Theology 
• Theological Ethics
• Culture, History, and the Arts
• Christian Spirituality
• Synodal Leadership

Students can also further expand on their personal and spiritual interests with electives at JST, such as Climate Change, Culture, and Creation; Apocalypse, Empire, and Hope; and Cross-cultural Christologies.

The synodal leadership concentration, launching in fall 2026, represents a groundbreaking initiative in theological education. Through a partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, JST-SCU has received a grant to provide specialized theological education in synodality for religious women in the United States. This historic partnership provides full-tuition scholarships for a cohort of Catholic Sisters from the United States to complete the two-year MTS degree with a concentration in synodal leadership. The HyFlex program allows Catholic Sisters to remain completely engaged in their local communities and ministries while advancing their academic formation in synodal leadership.

The JST-SCU program is committed to culturally contextual theology, an approach that recognizes the strong cultural component to our understanding of religious faith and practice. The MTS program includes an introductory course that outlines core principles of culturally contextual theology. For those who wish to advance their experience and understanding in this sphere, the JST curriculum includes immersion electives and practical work opportunities designed to facilitate comparative studies, interreligious encounter and dialogue, and theological reflection.

Flexible Online Learning Format

The HyFlex program structure is designed to help busy professionals and ministry leaders pursue online spiritual formation and foundational theological instruction, while also delivering opportunities for in-person fellowship and community.

Interactive and engaging online classes are complemented by community-building through virtual discussions and occasional in-person gatherings. As Wakiza G., MTS '23, explained, "I have two young children, and I live out of state. The ability to receive at least part of my education online was essential ... I [also] liked the flexibility of being able to complete some of my coursework in person."

Flexible scheduling enabled by the program's HyFlex structure allows students to remain close to family and community while studying. Concurrently, it provides the opportunity to establish and strengthen in-person connections with faculty, peers, and alumni. In practice, this is achieved by encouraging students to enroll in the program format that suits their needs. For example, some students may choose to enroll as full-time residential students, taking all classes on campus. Others combine online classes with an on-campus orientation session in the fall and on-campus summer and intersession courses. This is the core feature of the HyFlex approach: Blending online and on-campus learning options.

Career and Ministry Opportunities After Graduation

Students choose to pursue an MTS for a variety of reasons. Careers in academia or ministry are perhaps the most common ambitions for MTS graduates, but the broad range of concentrations and electives incorporated into the curriculum speaks to a wide variety of vocational paths. As an MTS graduate, you might pursue roles such as:

• Educator: In this capacity, you'll integrate faith and learning in the classroom, creating curricula and learning environments that help students explore theological concepts in Catholic schools, parish religious education programs, and other educational settings
• Theologian: Throughout your career, you'll engage in scholarly research and writing, exploring fundamental questions about faith, doctrine, and religious practice in academic or institutional contexts
• Parish or church minister: You'll serve and lead at the local level, overseeing religious education, coordinating community outreach, and providing spiritual guidance to parishioners
• Pastoral counselor: In this position, you'll practice a ministry of accompaniment, which is a vital principle of Ignatian spirituality;² you’ll provide spiritual guidance and support to individuals navigating life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, and questions of faith

JST Career Connections links to national and local listings and job boards, highlighting opportunities for ministry, pastoral care, education roles, and more. Students and graduates are further supported by the resources available from the SCU Career Center.

Answer Your Call to Theological Leadership

The HyFlex Master of Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University accommodates busy working professionals and community-centered individuals with flexible, online classes supplemented by in-person learning options. The curriculum combines rigorous academics with opportunities for spiritual growth and personal development, consistent with the Jesuit commitment to educating the whole person.

At JST-SCU, you'll find a community of students and faculty dedicated to culturally contextual theology, sharing insights and experiences from diverse backgrounds toward the common goal of enhanced understanding and practice of Christian theology. Hector C., MTS '23, described his JST experience: "You hear different voices from different cultures, with different expressions of faith, and we gather together and learn from one another. This shared space has [expanded] what I love about theology and ministry."

For more information, explore our online resources, including our admissions portal, tuition and financial aid details, and online events calendar for virtual graduate program information sessions and webinars. Contact us directly with any questions and take the next step at JST-SCU.