STS TEXAS
STS Texas is a partnership between Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bryan, TX, and Shepherds Theological Seminary in Cary, NC. This teaching site equips men and women for service and ministry through formal classroom instruction, hosted on the church’s campus. Students earn a Master of Theological Studies degree from Shepherds in the context of a local church, providing them with a robust foundation to either pursue further studies or to use their theological training to serve Christ in a traditional vocation.
Master of Theological Studies
STS Texas offers a 42-hour, fully accredited Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program in a traditional semester format, taught by the faculty of Shepherds Theological Seminary. The MTS combines the highest quality academic experience with the mentoring and experience of the Texas campus’ staff. This degree averages 2-3 years to complete when taking the semester-long courses at a full-time rate.
Subjects range from Hermeneutics and Old and New Testament Studies to Life of Christ and Historical Theology. The MTS has two purposes: (1) for the lay minister, to gain an advanced understanding of the Bible and theology; (2) for those anticipating vocational ministry, to prepare for further graduate studies, especially the Master of Divinity program.
Master of Theological Studies
One-Year Program
The one-year program combines Shepherds’ same accredited, 42-hour MTS degree with intentional discipleship and community, real-life opportunities to serve in a local body of believers, and a verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Partnering with Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bryan, TX, students attend services there, take one-week intensive courses for the duration of twelve months, engage in a comprehensive study of the Scriptures, and meet one-on-one with the program staff.
The combination of academic rigor and local church involvement drives the uniqueness of this one-year program. This program is designed for future pastors, church staff, campus ministry personnel, and faithful believers who simply desire to know God’s Word better in their respective career fields.
Students complete the full one-year program as a cohort. Banded together for mutual benefit, students learn the Bible, participate in class, travel to Israel, and serve the body of Christ together. Coupled with the one-on-one discipleship, these aspects of community combine to create a culture where students are challenged to grow and live authentically in community throughout their time in the program.
Diploma of Theological Studies
STS Texas offers a Diploma of Theological Studies, intended to provide a basic biblical and theological foundation to students who either have limited or no undergraduate college credit, or who do not feel called to pursue a formal graduate degree. Those who go through the program will be more thoroughly equipped to build up believers and bring the gospel to the global community.
As is the case with the MTS, the Diploma of Theological Studies can be taken in a traditional format, or as part of the one-year program at this campus.
Unique Format
Students at STS Texas learn from instructors via high-quality video conference into classes taking place at our other campuses. Participate in a live classroom environment with other students at this teaching site and engage in class discussions from a distance via Zoom. Distance learning provides live correspondence with professor and highly interactive class sessions.
In addition, all required classes for the one-year program are available at STS Texas, either through onsite lectures or live streaming with our other one-year teaching sites.
Route 66
Route 66 is an in-depth overview of all 66 books of the Bible. This study goes verse-by-verse through Scripture in chronological order, demonstrating the continuity of God’s Word as His plan unfolds and skillfully harmonizing His progressive revelation.
Route 66 is taught by the staff of STS Texas, and is open for students, their spouses, the congregation of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and the community at large. Cost for this study will be $300 per semester for attendees.