Academics

Our Academic Model:
"Seminary within the local church"

Cross Theological Seminary does what no other seminary can do...
we train you in the local church.

Our students are not just students, they also serve as resident ministers on the staff team of Cross Church.

Our students are resident ministers

At the beginning of your first semester of classes, you will be assigned to a Cross Church Campus and to a Cross Church staff mentor. The assignment will be based on your specific calling to the ministry.

  • Pastoral Ministry
  • Children’s Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
  • Missions
  • Media
  • ...and More 

We will help you refine your calling to the ministry!

Our Academic Degree:
A MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

We have created a custom MTS degree designed to prepare you for a lifetime of ministry.

Each course in our MTS degree will take what you learn in the classroom and put it into immediate practice in the church.

The Cross Theological Seminary MTS – 45 hours:

  • Old Testament Survey
  • New Testament Survey
  • Biblical Hermeneutics
  • Systematic Theology
  • Applied Theology
  • Christian Ethics
  • Research Capstone
  • Church History 1

  • Church History 2
  • Introduction to Ministry Counseling
  • Biblical Exposition, Preaching, and Teaching
  • Church Leadership 1
  • Church Leadership 2
  • Evangelism and Missions
  • Spiritual Formation of the Church Leader

All classes are held two days a week at the Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus

In-Residence Program

Being a student at CTS means that you will have access to the best minds and practitioners of ministry in the country.  In addition to our regular faculty, each semester pastors and leaders will travel to Northwest Arkansas as part of our “In-Residence Program” to join students in and out of the classroom.

Joining CTS In-Residence for the 2024-25 Academic Year

Ronnie Floyd

R.T. Kendall

Robby Gallaty

Pastor Emeritus, Cross Church,
Northwest Arkansas

Kevin Ezell

President, North American Mission Board

Retired Pastor, Westminster Chapel

Pastor, Long Hollow Church,
Hendersonville, Tennessee

Steve Stroope

Founding Pastor, Lakepointe Church,
Rockwall, Texas

The Cross Theological Seminary
Pathway to Preparation and Placement

Our Pathway to Ministry Preparation and Placement is a two-year commitment.

Students admitted to CTS will commit to a two-year cohort model.  Classes are held two days a week at the Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus.  When not in class, students will serve part-time as resident ministers on one of the Cross Church campuses, assigned to a ministry mentor who is a Cross Church full-time staff member.

The two-year Pathway to Preparation and Placement includes one academic year, a full summer, and a second academic year.  Students will graduate in May of the second academic year.
APPLY NOW