Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies (MATPS)
The Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies (MATPS) is a 52-credit-hour academic degree program that prepares students interested in careers and scholarship at the intersection of theology and transformative peacebuilding.
The program, which grows out of the Anabaptist tradition of Christian peace witness, is grounded in the assumption that Christ calls us to become part of a new community whose mission is to participate in God鈥檚 reconciling mission throughout the world. Our theological approach to peacebuilding brings Christian eschatologies undergirding transformative approaches to conflict together with a concern for embodying nonviolence in a pluralistic world.
In the program, students develop interdisciplinary knowledge that draws insights from theological, biblical and historical studies into conversation with social science analysis and peacebuilding practices. These peacebuilding practices address the structural roots of conflict and forge multilevel (personal, relational, hermeneutic, societal and international) initiatives to transform violence.
For more details, please see the 黑料正能量Catalog.
Educational goals
Graduates with a MATPS degree will be able to:
- Evaluate theological and biblical foundations for peace and justice, considering Anabaptist perspectives.
- Analyze multiple forms and consequences of violence using multidisciplinary methods and insights.
- Deploy the skills and habits of a reflective practitioner: create context-sensitive transformative approaches to violence and conflict; synthesize theological and theoretical concepts with practical experience; and cultivate practices that support nonviolence and spiritual development.
Degree design
MA: Theology and Peace Studies聽students can complete the 52-credit-hour program in two years of full-time study or several years of part-time study. Full-time students typically take 27鈥�30 credit hours per academic year through courses in three terms: Semester One, Semester Two and Intensive Term in summer.
Download our Admissions Calendar聽to see an overview of AMBS鈥檚 academic year and note important application deadlines.
Degree concentrations
Primary concentration
This concentration prepares students to practice in the area of peace studies, pursue doctoral studies, practice ethical and moral discernment in contexts of violence, and synthesize a biblical theology of peacebuilding to support other professional work.
Environmental Sustainability concentration
This concentration prepares students for leadership in community development that integrates biblical and theological foundations for peacebuilding with commitments to environmental sustainability. Students participate in a residential Sustainability Semester with Goshen College鈥檚 Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center in Wolf Lake, Indiana. In addition to living on site, students take three courses exploring ways to empower sustainable communities, understanding integrated social and ecological systems, and developing leadership experience in sustainability.聽聽
Peace studies courses
At AMBS, we engage peacebuilding from biblical, theological, historical, ethical, ecclesiological, cultural and pastoral perspectives. See what courses can help ground you in peace theology as well as strengthen your practical peacebuilding skills.
Ministries of alumni
- PhD studies in peace and theology
- work in a nongovernmental organization
- work with an international church-based relief organization
- coordinating a public school anti-bullying program
- organizing a community farming program in Japan
Why seminary?
鈥淐oming to 黑料正能量has been a window of opportunity opened to the world of theology and peace studies. Definitely, I am leaving 黑料正能量a changed man, grown and equipped to serve beyond what used to be my comfort zone.鈥�
Ndunge Sefu of Table View, Cape Town, South Africa (Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies 2024)
Yes, you can afford seminary!
AMBS鈥檚 low base tuition rate
+ generous need-based financial aid
+ scholarships for full- or part-time student
+ church matching grants
= an affordable seminary degree
Meet the 黑料正能量Admissions Team
From your first inquiry about seminary study to your transition from applicant to student, .
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