Quick Facts
This is MTSO at a glance.
Video overview
This brief video will give you a sense of our school, our mission and our programs.
Degree programs
MTSO offers five graduate degrees: the Master of Divinity prepares students for ordained ministry; the Master of Arts in Social Justice equips students to lead, organize, educate and collaborate in diverse contexts; the Master of Theological Studies offers concentrated study in academic areas of theology; the Master of Arts in Public Theology deepens the knowledge and skills of those working to build societal peace, justice and the common good; the Doctor of Ministry is an advanced degree program for professionals in ministry.
Location
MTSO’s scenic campus is located on 80 hillside acres in greater Columbus, a metropolitan area of 2 million people offering a wide array of opportunities for ministry, service, culture and recreation. We’re also part of Delaware, rated one of Ohio’s best small cities and home of Ohio Wesleyan University.
Church affiliation
MTSO is one of 13 seminaries and theological schools affiliated with the United Methodist Church. We also welcome students from many other faith traditions. We have over 20 denominations and faith traditions represented in our student body.
Faculty
Twenty faculty members teach at MTSO, along with adjuncts who are expert practitioners in their fields.
Library
The Dickhaut Library, whose white-columned portico greets visitors to the campus, contains 102,000 volumes. Borrowers have access to 46 million volumes from other libraries through the OhioLINK system.
Worship
Chapel services are held at 1 p.m. Tuesdays in the Alford Centrum. Services generally last less than an hour, and the public is welcome.
Outdoor facilities
Our campus features a mile-long walking path, an outdoor chapel, a pond graced by a gazebo and a labyrinth, and, hidden under a canopy of trees near a quiet stream, the Chiles Memorial Garden.
Seminary Hill Farm
Our farm is an integral part of our campus and one example of our commitment to sustainability.
Tuition and financial aid
Our 2023-24 tuition is $1,049 per semester hour. Full-tuition scholarships are among the many financial-aid options we offer. We offer scholarships for full- and part-time students.
Housing and dining
We offer a range of campus accommodations, from small apartments for those who are on campus only a few nights per week to townhome apartments for married students and families. Students also are served fresh food, much of it from Seminary Hill Farm, in Dunn Dining Hall, which is open when classes are in session.
Accreditation
MTSO is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.