The Master of Theology Program

Admission

Applicants for the Th.M. program must possess an M.Div. degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent. Applicants who have an M.A. degree also will be considered for admission, but, if admitted, they will be required to complete the M.Div. Equivalent program (48 units) first before taking Th.M. courses.

Requirements for the Degree

1. During the first quarter of study, students should choose the area of study in which they wish to concentrate. Th.M. Students will be required to write a thesis (six units) on an approved topic in their areas of study. ITS offers four major areas of concentration for the Th.M. program:

a. Biblical Studies (OT or NT)
b. Historical Theology (Church History)
c. Theological Studies (Systematic Theology)
c. Practical Theology (Christian Education, Mission, Evangelism, Pastoral Theology)

2. After choosing the area of study, students are required to take at least five courses in their areas of concentration and two courses in Systematic Theology.

3. The completion of the Th.M. program requires a total of 39 units: 33 units through course work and 6 units through writing a thesis. Th.M. course are normally three-unit courses.

4. All Th.M. students must maintain a grade point average of 2.67 or higher.

5. If the program is followed on a full-time basis, the course work and thesis can normally be completed in two years. A student holding an M.A. degree may be allowed to complete all the requirements in three years, including the M.Div. Equivalent program.

6. All requirements for the Th.M. degree must be completed within five years from the time of matriculation.

Th.M. Courses

1. All 50-level courses are open to Th.M. students.
2. Elective courses listed in the class schedule of each quarter are open to Th.M. students
3. Th.M. students’ attendance of 10-level courses is subject to the approval of the instructor.

Procedure for the Th.M. Thesis

As the final requirement for graduation, Th.M. students must present an academic thesis for approval. The following rules apply to Th.M. theses:

1. At the time of admission, the student must choose the area of concentration.
2. Course work must be done in the prescribed way by the seminary (five courses in the area of concentration, two courses in Systematic Theology, and other courses).
3. The student must select a thesis topic in the area of his/her concentration through consultation with a professor under whose supervision the thesis is expected to be written.
4. A proposal of a thesis must be prepared and approved by the supervising professor.
5. The approved proposal is to be submitted to the Academic Dean for an arrangement of an oral examination. Questions in the oral examination are two types: questions to measure a student’s general knowledge of the Bible and questions directly related to the topic of the
thesis.
6. The student starts writing his/her thesis after the approval of the proposal.
7. In order to graduate after the Spring Quarter, a final draft should be submitted to the Academic Dean by May 15.
8. Upon receiving a final draft, the date of an oral defense will be set.
9. After a successful oral defense, two final copies must be submitted for binding.

Graduation Requirements for the Th.M. Program

Candidates for the Master of Theology degree will have met the following requirements for graduation:

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.67, and with no grade below a “B-.”

2. Successfully passed the Bible Knowledge Test.

3. Settled all financial obligations with the ITS Administrative office.

4. Completed all requirements for the degree within five years from the time of matriculation.