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In earning a Master of Theological Studies, students gain proficiency in Orthodox theology and history. The two-year MTS degree educates students through the study of such disciplines as Church history, dogmatics, ethics, scripture, patristics, and canon law.
The MTS program is designed to offer a general introduction to Greek Orthodox theology through graduate level study. It is a first degree in theology and differs from the Master of Theology (ThM) in that the latter typically requires three years of previous graduate theological education prior to admission. Students may choose to specialize in an area of academic interest by enrolling in elective courses at both Holy Cross and the schools of the Boston Theological Institute.
In addition to four semesters of full-time academic study, students are afforded the opportunity to participate in the integral religious life of the Holy Cross community in the context of daily worship and personal spiritual guidance. The MTS program does not provide the educational nor pastoral requirements necessary for priestly ordination. Those seeking ordination in the Orthodox Church are directed to the Master of Divinity program.
As part of the program requirements, students will write an Integrative Academic Essay during their final semester.
HCHC offers the MTS program in two modalities: online and on-campus in Brookline, MA just outside Boston.
For those prospective students who are able to study at our campus just outside of Boston, Holy Cross delivers an advanced theological education within an Orthodox liturgical community. The program delivers its courses in classrooms and through directed studies with professors within an Orthodox community. Students can choose from a wide array of advanced theological courses, including courses through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium comprised of ten theological institutions of higher learning in the Boston area.
The online program delivers its courses through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous experiences, allowing the student the flexibility to work at their own pace and within their life’s schedule. By offering this degree online, HCHC expands its reach to prospective students who are not able to pursue a degree on the Brookline campus.
In addition to regular admission requirements, MTS applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. No prior preparation in theology or religious studies is necessary. However, prospective students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in the humanities are encouraged to have read broadly in the areas of Orthodox theology, religion, and philosophy.