Degree Programs
Diploma in Theology (Dip.Th.)
The Diploma in Theology Degree (Dip.Th.) is a two to three year program that shapes the entire person for faithful service to the church and the world through the introductory study of Scripture, Christian theology, pastoral leadership, and spiritual formation.
The degree consists of eight core courses (credits).
Each student is assigned a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors teach, form, and nurture ATS students to ensure graduates exhibit the following competencies:
- A thorough understanding of Scripture, theology, and church history.
- An ability to interpret and communicate the Gospel and Scripture.
- A competency for faithful leadership in the local church.
This program can be studied both in English and Finnish.
Admission to the Dip.Th. requires a high school diploma.
Delivery Method
Please contact Shaun (shaun.rossi@om.org) and Mikko (mikkosivonen@yahoo.com) for delivery method options.
Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree is a two-year advanced degree program that allows students to gain theological, exegetical and pastoral skills through academic study consisting of six modules and a thesis.
The degree consists of 4 core modules (10 ECTS /20 U.K. units) with 2 elective modules (10 units; 6 modules in total) and a dissertation (30 ECTS (60 units; 12-15,000 words). The entire program consists of 90 ECTS / 180 UK units. Each module includes required attendance, 3-4 required books for readings, and a 5000-6000 word essay. Students are expected to study at least 200 hours per module. This means that one needs to be able to devote at least 10 hours of study per week per module for 15 weeks per semester and serve as an active member in their local church.
Each student is assigned a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors teach, form, and nurture ATS students to ensure graduates exhibit the following competencies:
- A thorough understanding of Scripture, theology, and church history.
- An ability to interpret and communicate the Gospel and Scripture.
- A competency for faithful leadership in the local church.
The M.T.S. requires the ability to read and write in English.
Admission to the M.T.S is usually a first degree in theology or Christian ministry. For example:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject and some academic theological studies
- A diploma in theology and at least three years of documented ministry experience
Delivery Method
Blended: in-person and online.
- Semester Length: 13-14 weeks
- Per Semester: 1 3-day seminar; 1 1-to-1 tutoring meeting; 7-8 video call meetings (2-3 hours/each)
- Per Month: 1 in-person meeting
Resources
ATS will provide access to ATLA theological library resources. Students need to be able to visit the University of Helsinki library at least once per semester.
Master of Theology (M.Th.)
The Master of Theology (M.Th.) is a two year part-time modular program which enables student with a formative theological degree to refine their theological, exegetical, and pastoral skills through academic study consisting of six modules and a dissertation. The M.Th. is studied at ATS through a partnership with Union School of Theology and is fully accredited in the UK. Learn more about the M.Th. on Union’s website.
Curriculum Overview
Diploma in Theology (Dip. Th.)
Year 1
Gospel Identity
Old Testament Survey
New Testament Survey
Hermeneutics
Optional: New Testament Greek
Year 2
Evangelism and Discipleship
Theology of Worship
Church History
Christian Theology
Optional: New Testament Greek
Diploma in Theology (Dip. Th.)
Finnish
Year 1
Evankeliumi identiteettinä
Vanhan testamentin johdanto
Uuden testamentin johdanto
Hermeneutiikka
Valinnainen: Uuden testamentin kreikka
Year 2
Kristillinen oppi
Kirkkohistoria
Evankeliointi, opetuslapseus ja apologetiikka
Pastoraalinen teologia ja saarnaaminen
Valinnainen: Uuden testamentin kreikka
Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
(90 ECTS units)
Year 1
Fall
Trinity, Church and Mission (Systematic Theology)
Biblical Motifs in the History of Redemption (Biblical Theology)
Spring
Exegetical and Historical Theology, Book of Ephesians (Biblical Studies)
Reformed Theological Heritage (Historical Theology)
Year 2
Fall
Applied Classical Christian Learning for Theology Students
Independent Study
Spring
Thesis
Master of Theology (M.Th.)
(90 ECTS units)
ATS serves as a learning community for this degree from Union School of Theology (see https://www.ust.ac.uk/learning/course/mth for more information).
Biblical Studies
Biblical Theology
Greek Exegesis
Hebrew Exegesis
Advanced Greek Reading
Theological Studies
The Doctrine of Scripture
The Theology of the Early Church Fathers
The History and Theology of Evangelicalism
Soteriology in the Reformation
Ministerial practice
The Spiritual Formation of the Leader
Contemporary Issues for Evangelism
Lifelong Learning
Biblical Languages Program
ATS provides training in Hebrew and Greek to church leaders, congregants, and others to encourage facilitation with God’s Word in the original languages. Please contact us for more information.
Public Lectures
For the benefit of churches, ATS hosts guest lectures by scholars and church leaders on topics we believe will edify the local body of Christ. Please see our events page for more information.
Church Planting Training
ATS works with our partners at Operation Mobilization (OM) and International Mission Board (IMB) to train church planters in the Finnish context.
Teaching Fellows
Regular Teaching Fellows
Mr. Shaun Rossi
Shaun Rossi serves as senior pastor of United Community Church (UCC), overseeing preaching and vision. Shaun has earned degrees in theology from universities in London, Cambridge, and Manchester, and is pursuing a PhD in historical theology at VU Amsterdam. He is on faculty at Union School of Theology. Originally from the USA, Shaun is married to Katja and they have five young children.
Dr. Mikko Sivonen
Mikko Sivonen is a missionary with the IMB to Finland and served as a long-time founding pastor of Espoo Kotikirkko until 2019. He has a MDiv and ThM from Gateway Seminary and a ThD in New Testament from the University of Helsinki (2018). The dissertation “The Doxa Motif in Paul: A Narrative Approach to the Vindication of the Glory of God through Christ” can be read here. He is a co-author of a Greek reader and translated a number of theological texts into Finnish. He is married to Heidi and they have five children.
Visiting Teaching Fellows
Dr. Adam Groza
Since 2010, Dr. Groza has served as Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Seminary) and Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion. He holds a MDiv (The Master’s Seminary), ThM (Southwestern Seminary) and PhD (Southwestern Seminary). Adam has served as a pastor in both the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a contributing author to several books, including Ministry in the New Marriage Culture (B&H Press, 2015) and Idealism and Christian Philosophy (Bloomsbury, 2016) and his writing has been featured on such websites as Baptist Press, the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Council (ERLC) where Adam serves as a research fellow. Adam has been married to his wife Holly since 2000 and together they have four children.
Dr. Jeff Mooney
Dr. Mooney is the Pastor/Elder of vision o at Redeemer Baptist Church in Riverside, California. He has led the church since the summer of 2005. Jeff received his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Auburn University. He later earned a MDiv from Beeson Divinity School and a PhD in Old Testament Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently holds the post of Professor of Old Testament Studies and Biblical Theology at California Baptist University. He and his wife Angela have been married since 1992 and have four children: Jonathan, Rebekah, Karis, and Sarah.
Dr. Preston Pearce
Dr. Pearce has served with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board since 1994—first in Romania, where Preston taught at the Baptist seminary in Bucharest until 2001; and since then, in Prague, Czech Republic. Preston currently serves as a Theological Education Strategist for Europe and Central Asia. Preston holds a PhD in theology (minors in church history and missiology) and an MDiv, both from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Preston and Karen have been married since 1990, and have 4 children.
Mr. Jorma Pihkala
Jorma Pihkala has served for decades as a missionary, church planter and pastor-teacher in Japan. He is married to Lea and they have seven grown up children. He has published several books and other resources that can be found at (www.pihkala.net).
Dr. Brian Walls
Dr. Walls serves as pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Florida. He holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married with three children.
Mr. Mikko Tassia
Mikko Tassia has an MA from the University of Helsinki and serves as a Bible translation consultant for The Word for the World Bible Translators. Mikko teaches Hebrew and Greek at ATS.
Publishing
ATS publishes theological resources in Finnish to support the edification of the church in Finland for the glory of God.
