MA in Theology & Ecology - Princeton Theological Seminary

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Master of Arts in Theology and Ecology (MTE)

Explore the intimate connections among land and space, justice and soil, and place and neighbor. The Master of Arts in Theology and Ecology (MTE) degree program offers a deep focus on the intersections among faith formation and ecology, justice, and sustainability. Assuming the sacredness and interdependence of all creation and in recognition of the world’s exhaustion, brokenness, and systemic injustices, the MTE program forms leaders for service by immersing participants in a community of embodied theological reflection rooted in Princeton Theological Seminary's Farminary.

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At a Glance

Application Deadline

January 15 – Final deadline – all applicants

Length

15 Months
Format

On Campus

Is the Master of Arts in Theology and Ecology Program for Me?

Do you:

  • Believe that the skills and character vital to faithful Christian leadership must be formed in direct relationship with God’s good creation?
  • Have a passion for ecology, sustainability, and food justice?
  • Want to explore the intersections of theological education with regenerative agriculture?

The Master of Arts in Theology and Ecology (MTE) develops the pastoral sensibilities of nurturing seeds, persisting through seasons of slow growth, promoting bountiful harvest, and holding life and death in reverent wonder. Based at the Seminary’s 21-acre farm, the program immerses you in ecological thought and practice from the perspective of the Christian tradition.

What You’ll Study

Your coursework focuses on theology, ecology, and faith formation, with intensive Farminary work providing a window into the real world of regenerative agriculture. Build proficiency in the theological disciplines of biblical studies, history, practical theology, and theology.

Examine and understand the complex history of the relationships among human and nonhuman creatures, with particular attention to the intersections of ecological, economic, racial, and gender injustice. And learn how to articulate your own vision of justice that is rooted in Christ’s redemptive love for all creation.

What You’ll Do

The MTE degree is a full-time, on-campus program. Within your coursework, engage in hands-on farming—composting, planting, weeding, harvesting, and more. As you work directly with the soil, explore the connections between theology and pressing environmental concerns, and reflect on how we can respond to those challenges and nurture God’s creation.

MTE Program Details

The MTE curriculum consists of 36 credits:

  • Introduction to the Theology and Ecology Program (3 credits)
  • Ecology of Theological Education (3 credits) for students without prior theological training OR three credits of transfer for students with prior theological education
  • Intensive work at the Farminary with an Integrative Component (3 credits)
  • Four courses focused on Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation (12 credits)
  • Special Concluding Course at the Farm (3 credits) [second June Term]
  • Four General Electives (12 credits)

1st June Term (3 credits)

  • Special 3-week June Term course at the Farm – Intro to the Theology and Ecology Program for new students (3)

Summer Term (6 credits)

  • Ecology of Theological Education (3) OR three credits of transfer for students with prior theological education (3)
  • Intensive course at the Farminary with an Integrative Component (3)

Fall Term (12 credits)

  • 2 courses from those listed as fulfilling the Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation requirement (6)
  • 2 electives (6)

January Term

  • Optional

Spring Term (12 credits)

  • 2 courses from those that fulfill the Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation (6)
  • 2 electives (6)

2nd June Term (3 credits)

  • Special 3-week June Term Course at the Farm – current students serve as a mentors for new students (3)

Sample Courses

  • Soil and Sabbath: Roots for a Vital Church
  • Ecologies of Faith Formation
  • Text and Terrain: Connecting Scripture, Land, and Interpretation
  • Intentional Communities I
  • Landscape and Ecology in the Old Testament

To qualify for admission, you need to have:

  • An undergraduate degree (typically a BA or BS) from a school accredited by one of the accrediting agencies recognized by our faculty

To apply, please submit the following:

  • A completed admissions application
  • Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended
  • Three letters of recommendation: one pastoral endorsement, one academic, and one additional
  • Academic writing sample
  • Application fee of $50

Interviews are required for merit scholarships and are strongly recommended; learn more about our interview process, including when and how to schedule.

Outcomes with a Master of Theology and Ecology Degree

As sustainability becomes increasingly important to organizations around the world, a Master of Theology and Ecology degree opens doors for you across a variety of sectors, from nonprofits and corporations to churches and universities.

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Innovative Education

Our 21-acre Farminary integrates theological education with small-scale regenerative agriculture. In direct relationship with God’s good creation, explore ecological sustainability rooted in theological practice.

Explore the Farminary

In Their Own Words

In thinking about what I feel called to in ministry next, which is establishing eco-retreat space for Black pastors and community leaders, there’s no other place that I’d like to do that but here.
Candace Lovelace

Candace Lovelace

MDiv ’23, MTE Student

I showed up at the Farminary because it was unique and different. One of the things about Princeton Seminary is that it tries its best to think very deeply about the intersection of faith and everything you could possibly imagine.
H. Fitzgerald Robertson

H. Fitzgerald Robertson

MTE Student

Featured Faculty

Nathan Stucky PhD
I think the graduates of this program can go in a thousand different directions, in everything from the non profit sector to the corporate sector, to churches, to universities and colleges that are looking for people with an ecological sensibilities.

Nathan Stucky
Director of The Farminary Project at Princeton Seminary

Next Steps

Explore the intersections among faith formation and sustainability. Request information about the Master of Theology and Ecology, schedule a visit, or apply today.

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