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Master of Arts Degree in Theology Purpose The objective of this degree is to provide the student a graduate-level mastery of theological studies and research, i.e., sufficient familiarity with the major theological disciplines to serve as a competent scholar and teacher. The degree also prepares the student for the pursuit of doctoral studies. Prerequisites for Admission to the Program In order to apply, a candidate must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a 3.0 average, or be currently maintaining a 3.0 average in the Master of Divinity degree program. It is also expected that the student will have already earned at least 24 quarter hours of undergraduate credit in philosophy and/or religious studies. In order to be used toward prerequisites, philosophy credits must have been earned in one or more of the following areas: history of ancient, medieval, modern or contemporary philosophy, critical thinking, philosophy of human nature, metaphysics, God and reason, social, medical or business ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, or philosophy of history. However, other courses may be used with permission of the dean. Admission A student must apply to the Dean of the Athenaeum for admission either by May 1 for autumn quarter admission or by October 15 for winter quarter admission. The Admissions and Degrees Committee of the Athenaeum will decide on the application. After reviewing the transcripts and other pertinent material, the committee will determine whether or not the applicant has fulfilled the prerequisites for the program. The committee may make specific recommendations about what will satisfy the prerequisites or about particular courses which ought to be taken by a given applicant in light of the academic background. The student who is matriculated in the Master of Divinity program can apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Theology program at the completion of his second year of seminary-based study. Language Requirement The student will be expected to demonstrate a current reading knowledge in any of the following: French, German, Italian, or Spanish. This knowledge will be tested as follows: the student will have two hours in which to read and translate approximately two pages of theological writing with the help of a dictionary. Having completed 12 semester hours of study of a language, with a B average, within the last 10 years, also satisfies the language requirement. It is expected that at least one source in a foreign language be consulted and cited in one’s thesis or one of the two major research papers. Candidacy Before a student is admitted as a candidate for the Master of Arts in Theology degree 1) one must have completed the Proseminar (explained below); 2) at least 15 quarter hours of work must be completed and reviewed by the Dean of the Athenaeum as satisfactory; and 3) the student must have passed the language examination. Academic Requirements A student must obtain a minimum of 46 quarter hours of graduate work to earn the degree and must have a 2.5 grade point average at the end of the first year of study for the degree, or the first 18 credits, whichever comes last, and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 at the end of each quarter thereafter. Students falling below the required average are on probation with regard to this program. More than two successive quarters on probation will require faculty action for the student to continue in the program. Each student will be assigned an academic advisor who must approve all course registrations. Course Requirements All applicants must take the Proseminar which is a one-hour course designed as a common introduction to masters-level study and research in theology. The Proseminar should be taken as early as possible. The details of the Proseminar will be the responsibility of the Athenaeum Dean. The student must take the following 39 quarter hours: Biblical
Studies (6 hours) Christian
Living (6 hours) Historical
Theology or Church History (3 hours) Systematic
Theology (12 hours) Electives (12 hours) - additional courses chosen from above areas of the curriculum. The student must identify an area of major research which can be achieved in one of two ways: a thesis (worth 6 credits) or two 500 level electives. If one chooses to do a thesis (at least 50-60 pages) one must first find a full-time faculty member from one of the required interest areas who agrees to be a director. It is the director’s responsibility to approve the topic and outline, to supervise the research, to recommend revisions in the draft and to accept and grade the final text. If one chooses to take two 500 electives, a guided research paper (of 25-30 pages) is required for each course. The professor of the course acts as director. In either of these options the student must follow the K. Turabian Manual for Writers. Comprehensive Examination One must be admitted as a candidate for the degree and complete all course requirements before one can apply for the comprehensive examination. The exam is divided into two parts. The first part is a three-hour written examination, consisting of objective and essay questions, on theological study in the areas of biblical studies, Christian living, church history and systematic theology. The second part is a 30-minute oral defense of one’s major research before a board of three faculty members, including the director of the research. The student must pass both parts of the examination. |
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