Academic Programs

General Information

The academic programs of International Theological Seminary are designed to equip men and women mainly from Third World countries, who are committed to the Lord and his Church, and who are eager to learn. The seminary uses a quarter system in which there are three main quarters in one academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). To encourage international students to complete their programs sooner than the normal study period and return to their home countries, elective courses are offered during the summer (in June and July) and winter (December).

Bible Knowledge Test

Passing the Bible Knowledge Test is required to all students at ITS before completion of their programs. The purpose of the test is to measure students’ comprehensive knowledge of the Bible, by giving one hundred and fifty unmarked verses from the Old and New Testaments and asking them to write the name of the book and chapter in which a given verse is found. Although the test is a requirement for graduation, all new students are encouraged to pass it as early as possible during their study at ITS. The Bible Knowledge Test is administered three times during each academic year. If the examination is failed three times, a student whose last score was in the proximity of passing may request the Academic Dean to give him/her another attempt.

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The Master of Divinity Program

The Master of Divinity program is designed primarily for persons wishing to prepare themselves for the ordained ministry. This program seeks to integrate a classical Reformed theological curriculum with ministry skills. The curriculum of the M.Div. program aims at competency in biblical languages, biblical exegesis, and historical and theological perspective.
The program requires the successful completion of 144 units (123 required and 21 elective units), which is normally completed in three academic years if followed on a full-time basis.

Admission

A student seeking admission to the M.Div. program should do so in obedient response to God’s call to ministry through His Word and Spirit. Christ gives gifts to His Church, and the New Testament teaches that all believers are so endowed (1 Peter 4:10). Nevertheless, among believers there are found some with gifts which single them out for ordination as ministers of the Word. An applicant’s call, therefore, must include a personal inner conviction created in the heart, mind, and conscience by God’s Spirit, and also a communal endorsement through a body of believers who can testify to the gifts for ministry possessed by an applicant. The central task of International Theological Seminary is the nurturing of those gifts for ministry which the student possesses.

            1.         Personal Qualification
In order to evaluate the personal qualifications of each applicant, the seminary requires:

a. An autobiography by the applicant including an indication of love for and commitment to Christ and His church, a statement of personal faith, a statement of understanding and sense of calling to the Christian ministry, a summary of ministry experience, and an assessment of personal qualifications and gifts for ministry.

b. A recommendation by the church concerning the applicant’s personal qualifications, demonstrated gifts and genuine potential for ministry.

c. Three references using the forms provided in the application package.

            2.         Academic Qualification

In order to apply to the M.Div. program, applicants must have earned a regular bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants who have graduated from an unaccredited college will be considered on an individual basis.

Curriculum

Distribution of the M.Div. Required Courses

	Fall Quarter, First year
	BG 11 Greek I     ST  11 Prolegomena and Doctrine of God        ME 11  Biblical Theology of Mission        EM 11  Foundations of Christian Education	4 4 4 4
	Winter Quarter
	BG 12 Greek II    ST 12 Doctrine of Man and Christ  ME 12 History of Missions  EM 12 Christian Education Program of the Church PT 11  Apologetics	4 4 4 4 3
	Spring Quarter
	BG 13 Greek Reading     ST  13 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation   ME 13 Biblical Theology of Church Growth   EM 13 Youth Culture Today    ET 11 Christian Ethics	3 4 4 4 3
	Fall Quarter, Second year
	BH 11  Hebrew I  NT 11  NT I (Synoptic Gospels)  OT 11  Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings  CH 11  Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)	4 4 4 4
	Winter Quarter
	BH 12  Hebrew II  NT 12  NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)  OT 12  Prophets I or Prophets II  CH 12  Church History II (Reformation to Present)	4 4 4 4
	Spring Quarter
	BH 13  Hebrew Reading  NT 13  NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles) OT 13  Psalms or Wisdom Books  CH 13  Non-Western Church History  ST 14   Doctrine of the Church and Last Things	3 4 4 3 4
	Fall Quarter, Third year
	PR 11  Homiletics  PM 11  Spiritual Life of a Pastor	3 3
	Winter Quarter
	PR 12  Contemporary Preaching  PM 12  Pastoral Care and Counseling	3 4
	Spring Quarter
	PM 13  Pastoral Leadership and Administration  ET 12   Contemporary Social Problems	4 3

       (Add 21 units of elective courses to these)

Graduation Requirements for the M.Div. Program

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

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.7, and with no grade below a “C-.”

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.

 

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies Program

The Master of Arts program is designed for men and women who desire to engage seriously in religious studies at the graduate level, but who do not desire ordination to the professional ministry. Three emphases (or concentrations) are offered within the M.A. curriculum in order to meet the individual interests and needs of students: Biblical Studies, Mission and Evangelism, and Christian Education.

Admission

The personal and academic qualifications for the admission into the M.A. program are the same as those established for the Master of Divinity program.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Biblical Studies Emphasis (BSE)

Purpose

This program is a track designed for students whose purpose of study includes the following intentions:

1. To develop competencies in biblical languages, exegesis, and interpretation of the Old Testament and New Testament.

2. To understand the origin and tradition of the Reformed faith through Church History and Systematic Theology courses.

3. To prepare themselves to pursue a higher degree in biblical, historical, or theological studies.

Curriculum

	Biblical Languages
	BH 11 Hebrew I  BH 12 Hebrew II  BH 13 Hebrew Reading  BG 11 Greek I  BG 12 Greek II  BG 13 Greek Reading	4 4 3 4 4 3
	Biblical Studies
	OT 11 Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings  OT 12 Prophets I or Prophets II  OT 13 Psalms or Wisdom Books  NT 11 NT I (Synoptic Gospels)  NT 12 NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)  NT 13 NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles)	4 4 4 4 4 4
	Church History
	CH 11 Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)  CH 12 Church History II (Reformation to Present)	4 4
	Systematic Theology
	ST 11 Prolegomena and Doctrine of God  ST 12 Doctrine of Man and Christ  ST 13 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation  ST 14 Doctrine of the Church and Last Things	4 4 4 4
	Philosophical and Ethical Theology
	PT 11 Apologetics	3
	Ethical Theology
	ET 11 Christian Ethics	4
	Electives  Total	20 96

 

Distribution of the M.A. (Biblical Studies Emphasis) Required Courses

	Fall Quarter, First year
	BG 11 Greek I  ST 11 Prolegomena and Doctrine of God	4 4
	Winter Quarter
	BG 12 Greek II  ST 12 Doctrine of Man and Christ  PT 11 Apologetics	4 4 3
	Spring Quarter
	BG 13 Greek Reading  ST 13 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation  ET 11 Christian Ethics	3 4 3
	Fall Quarter, Second year
	BH 11 Hebrew I  NT 11 NT I (Synoptic Gospels)  OT 11 Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings  CH 11 Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)	4 4 4 4
	Winter Quarter
	BH 12        Hebrew II  NT 12        NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)  OT 12        Prophets I or Prophets II  CH 12        Church History II (Reformation to Present)	4 4 4 4
	Spring Quarter
	BH 13 Hebrew Reading  NT 13 NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles) OT 13 Psalms or Wisdom Books  ST 14 Doctrine of the Church and Last Things	3 4 4 4

                          (Add 20 units of elective courses to these)

Graduation Requirements for the M.A. (BSE) Program

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

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.7, and with no grade below a “C-.”

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 four years from the time of matriculation.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Mission and Evangelism Emphasis (MEE)

Purpose

This program is a track designed for students whose purpose of study includes the following intentions:

1. To gain moderate competence in one biblical language (Greek or Hebrew).

2. To obtain deeper knowledge of mission and evangelism as well as the knowledge of biblical, historical, and theological studies.

3. To prepare themselves to serve the Lord and His church in the mission field or to pursue a higher degree in the interest.

Curriculum

            Division                                               Course                                               Unit
Biblical Language                   

BH 11              Hebrew I                                                                                              4
BH 12              Hebrew II                                                                                             4
BH 13              Hebrew Reading                                                                                   3
OR
BG 11              Greek I                                                                                                  4
BG 12              Greek II                                                                                                 4
BG 13              Greek Reading                                                                                      3
Biblical Studies                                   

OT 11              Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings                                                          4
OT 12              Prophets I or Prophets II                                                                      4
OT 13              Psalms or Wisdom Books                                                                    4
NT 11              NT I (Synoptic Gospels)                                                                      4
NT 12              NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)                                             4
NT 13              NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles) 4
Church History                                   

CH 11              Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)               4
CH 12              Church History II (Reformation to Present)                 4
Systematic Theology   

ST        11                    Prolegomena and Doctrine of God                                          4
ST        12                    Doctrine of Man and Christ                                                      4
ST        13                    Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation                        4
(or ST 14)
Mission and Evangelism                           

ME       11                    Biblical Theology of Mission                                                   4                             

ME       12                    History of Missions                                                                  4
ME       13                    Biblical Theology of Church Growth                           4
ME       14                    Current Issues in World Mission                                             4
ME       15                    Foundations in Anthropology                                                  4
ME       16                    Urban Ministry                                                                           4
Electives                                                                                                                     17
Total                                                                                                                               96

Distribution of the M.A. (Mission and Evangelism Emphasis) Required Courses

                                                                        First Year
Fall Quarter
(BG 11                    Greek I                                                                                           4)
ST   11                    Prolegomena and Doctrine of God                                                4
ME  11                    Biblical Theology of Mission                                                           4
Winter Quarter
(BG  12                    Greek II                                                                                        4)
ST    12                    Doctrine of Man and Christ                                                       4
ME   12                    History of Mission                                                                     4
Spring Quarter
(BG 13                    Greek Reading                                                                              3)
ST  13                    Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation                                4
ME  13                    Biblical Theology of Church Growth                                       4

                                                                        Second Year
Fall Qaurter
(BH 11                    Hebrew I                                                                                    4)
NT 11              NT I (Synoptic Gospels)                                                                   4
OT 11              Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings                                                     4
CH 11              Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)                                4
ME 14               Current Issues in World Mission                                                   4
Winter Quarter
(BH 12             Hebrew II                                                                                          4)
NT 12              NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)                                                    4
OT 12              Prophets I or Prophets II                                                                  4
CH 12              Church History II (Reformation to Present)                             4
ME 15              Foundations in Anthropology                                                             4
Spring Quarter
(BH 13             Hebrew Reading                                                                                     3)
NT 13              NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles)             4
OT 13              Psalms or Wisdom Books                                                                      4
(ST 14              Doctrine of the Church and Last Things                                              4)
ME 16                Urban Ministry                                                                                   4

                        (Add 17 units of elective courses to these)

Graduation Requirements for the M.A. (MEE) Program

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

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.7, and with no grade below a “C-.”

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 four years from the time of matriculation.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Christian Education Emphasis (CEE)

Purpose

This program is a track designed for students whose purpose of study includes the following intentions:

1. To gain a moderate competency in one biblical language (Greek or Hebrew).

2. To obtain deeper knowledge of Christian Education as well as the knowledge of biblical, historical, and theological studies.

3. To prepare themselves to serve the Lord and His church in the field of educational ministry or to pursue a higher degree in the interest.

Curriculum

            Division                                        Course                                                      Unit
Biblical Language                   

BH 11              Hebrew I                                                                                           4
BH 12              Hebrew II                                                                                          4
BH 13              Hebrew Reading                                                                              3
OR
BG 11              Greek I                                                                                               4
BG 12              Greek II                                                                                             4
BG 13              Greek Reading                                                                                    3
Biblical Studies                                   

OT 11              Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings                                                          4
OT 12              Prophets I or Prophets II                                                                      4
OT 13              Psalms or Wisdom Books                                                                    4
NT 11              NT I (Synoptic Gospels)                                                                      4
NT 12              NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)                                             4
NT 13              NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles) 4
Church History                                   

CH 11              Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)               4
CH 12              Church History II (Reformation to Present)                 4
Systematic Theology   

ST 11                    Prolegomena and Doctrine of God                                          4
ST 12                    Doctrine of Man and Christ                                                      4
ST  13                    Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation                        4
(or ST 14)
Educational                             

EM  11                    Foundations of Christian Education                                         4
Ministry                                              

EM   12                    Christian Education Program of the Church                 4
EM   13                    Youth Culture Today                                                                 4
EM  14                    Human Development                                                                  4
EM  15                    Spirituality and Christian Education                                         4
EM   16                    Creative Teaching Methods                                                      4
Electives                                                                                                                    17
Total                                                                                                                            96

Distribution of the M.A. (Christian Education Emphasis) Required Courses

                                                                        First Year
Fall Quarter
(BG 11                    Greek I                                                                                         4)
ST   11                    Prolegomena and Doctrine of God                                              4
EM   11                    Foundations of Christian Education                                           4
Winter Quarter

BG  12                     Greek II                                                                                     4)
ST        12                    Doctrine of Man and Christ                                                      4
EM       12                    Christian Education Program of the Church                             4
Spring Quarter
(BG 13                    Greek Reading                                                                               3)
ST        13                    Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation                                4
EM       13                    Youth Culture Today                                                                 4

                                                                        Second Year
Fall Qaurter
(BH 11                    Hebrew I                                                                                         4)
NT 11              NT I (Synoptic Gospels)                                                                       4
OT 11              Pentateuch or Samuel and Kings                                                          4
CH 11              Church History I (Pentecost to Reformation)                                      4
EM       14                    Human Development                                                                4
Winter Quarter
(BH 12                    Hebrew II                                                                                         4)
NT 12              NT II (Acts and Pauline Epistles)                                                          4
OT 12              Prophets I or Prophets II                                                                       4
CH 12              Church History II (Reformation to Present)                                          4
EM       15                    Spirituality and Christian Education                                           4
Spring Quarter
(BH 13                    Hebrew Reading                                                                                3)
NT 13              NT III (Johannine Writings, Catholic Epistles)             4
OT 13              Psalms or Wisdom Books                                                                       4
(ST 14                    Doctrine of the Church and Last Things                                       4)
EM  16                    Creative Teaching Methods                                                             4

                        (Add 17 units of elective courses to these)

Graduation Requirements for the M.A. (CEE) Program

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

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.7, and with no grade below a “C-.”

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 four years from the time of matriculation.

 

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 or Philosophical 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.

 

The Doctor of Ministry Program

Purpose

As in most traditional seminaries, the Doctor of Ministry of ITS is the highest professional degree designed for those who are in full-time pastoral ministry. It is the highest professional degree in the sense that the purpose of the D.Min. program is to provide ministry skills for a pastor to achieve a higher level of competence in ministry than that achieved in the M.Div. program. ITS seeks to achieve the following goals though offering a variety D.Min. courses:

1. To reinforce the sound foundation of biblical and theological understanding of ministry.
2. To provide students with ministry skills applicable to contemporary culture.
3. To cultivate in students a renewed awareness of calling and ministry through critical reflection.

Admission

The key requirements for admission are:

1. An applicant must be an ordained pastor with a minimum of three years of experience in pastoral ministry.
2. An M.Div. degree from an accredited institution, or its equivalent.

Applicants who have an M.A degree, instead of an M.Div., are eligible to apply for admission, but, if admitted, they will be required to complete the M.Div. Equivalent program of ITS (48 units) before taking D.Min. courses.

Program Design

Due to the fact that some of ITS D.Min. students are full-time students from Third World countries, D.Min. courses are offered in two modes: regular courses in the quarter system and modular courses in one or two weeks to accommodate active pastors in ministry. For full-time D.Min. students, the program is designed in the following way:

1. Normally, all D.Min. courses are five-unit courses.
2. All 50-level courses are open to D.Min. students.
2. Elective courses listed in the class schedule of each quarter are open to D.Min. students
3. D.Min. students’ attendance of 10-level courses is subject to the approval of the instructor.

The D.Min. modular courses include the for following three components:

1. Each course requires 30 clock hours for lecture, evaluation, and discussion.
2. An assigned reading of no less than 2,100 pages to be completed before or after attending the classroom session.
3. A project growing out of the reading and class work, leading to a final written report for evaluation.

A total of 54 units must be completed for the D.Min. degree:

1. Four core courses                                       20 units
2. Five elective courses                                   25 units
3. A dissertation (project paper)                       9 units

Procedure for the D.Min. Dissertation

The dissertation is the culmination and the last requirement for completion of the D.Min. program. Although students are allowed to write on diverse topics, they are strongly advised to develop a project, apply it in his/her own ministry, and evaluate the outcomes of the application. The following are the steps to be taken from the beginning to the completion of a dissertation:

1. Choosing a project topic and making a proposal in consultation with a supervising professor.
2. Submitting the proposal to the Academic Dean for an arrangement of an oral exam. 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 project.
3. Writing a dissertation under the supervision of the professor and through the application, analysis, and evaluation of the project.
4. Submitting a final draft of the dissertation to the Academic Dean by May 15.
5. Defending the dissertation orally before a three-member committee.
6. After a successful oral defense, submitting two final copies to the Academic Dean for binding.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the Doctor of Ministry degree will have met the following requirements for graduation:

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B), and with no grade below a “B-” counting toward the degree.

2. Successfully written and defended his/her project dissertation and finalized the format of the dissertation to the satisfaction of the librarian.

3. Settled all financial obligations with ITS Administrative Office.

4. Completed all requirements for the degree within five years from the time of matriculation. A fee of $100 per quarter will be charged for extension granted for the completion of the project dissertation beyond the fifth year.

5. Failure to obtain an extension beyond the prescribed study period (five years) will be considered withdrawal from the program.

 

The Doctor of Theology Program
(Not Accredited by ATS and ATA, Currently on Hold)

(The Doctor of Theology program at ITS is not an accredited program by the Association of Theological Schools and Asian Theological Association. Offering this program was approved, however, by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education of California in 1991 in accordance with the provisions of California Education Code 94900 and/or 94915 and /or Article 9.5. The approval of BPPVE is still effective, but the program is currently on hold.)

Introduction

The Doctor of Theology program at ITS is a highly limited program designed to integrate practical ministry and advanced academic research. Its primary purpose is to develop biblically and theologically sound theologians for the theological institutions in Third World countries. The program emphasizes the research aspect of theology and its ministerial application. A student is required at the time of admission to choose a concentration in the following areas:

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

Admission

The admission requirements established for D.Min. program are applicable to the Th.D. program with the following additional requirements:

1. Students must have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, with more than five years of experience in ecclesiastical or theological institution.

2. Students must demonstrate knowledge of two languages, other than English, which are related to their field of study. One of the two may be substituted with a classical language (normally Latin).Students may satisfy the language requirement by passing the language test or taking a non-credit language course at ITS or elsewhere.

3. Proficiency in the use of biblical Greek and Hebrew is required, and their use in the dissertation research is normally expected.

4. A student’s admission into the program is contingent on obtaining the commitment of a full professor of the seminary to supervise his/her study until completion.

Program Design and Curriculum

1. The Doctor of Theology program requires completion of a total of 87 units offered in fifteen 5-unit courses and a dissertation as shown below:

a. Five courses in Practical Theology                                       25 units
b. Four elective courses                                                         20 units
c. Six courses in the area of concentration                               30 units
d. Doctoral dissertation                                                          12 units

2.. For students who hold a Th.M. or D.Min. degree from an accredited institution, a maximum of six courses may be credited toward the program provided that the courses are compatible in the ITS curriculum, and that they write a reflection paper on each of those courses to the satisfaction of the chair of the respective division.

Comprehensive Examinations

Upon successful completion of the course work, a student is required to take the Comprehensive Examinations in order to establish his/her candidacy (non-refundable fee $300). Failure to pass the Comprehensive Examinations will lead to retaking examinations not passed. If the student is not expected to pass the examinations, he/she will not be allowed to proceed to the next level, writing a dissertation. Instead, the student will be given a certificate to prove the completion of the course work for the Th.D. program. The Comprehensive Examinations will cover the following areas:

1. Old Testament and New Testament Theology
2. Systematic and Historical Theology
3. Moral and Philosophical Theology
4. Pastoral Theology

Procedure for the Th.D. Dissertation

After passing the Comprehensive Examinations, a candidate will proceed to complete a dissertation by taking the following steps:

1.. Choosing a topic and making a proposal in consultation with a supervising professor.

2. Submitting the proposal to the Academic Dean for an arrangement of an oral exam. 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 dissertation.

3. Writing a dissertation under the supervision of the professor.

4.. Submitting a final draft of the dissertation to the Academic Dean by May 15.

5. Defending the dissertation orally before a three-member committee.

6. After a successful oral defense, submitting two final copies to the Academic Dean for binding.

Graduation Requirements

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

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 3.3 (B+), and with no grade below a “B-” counting toward the degree.

2. Successfully written and defended his/her dissertation and finalized the format of the dissertation to the satisfaction of the librarian.

3. Settled all financial obligations with ITS Administrative Office.

4. Completed all requirements for the degree within seven years from the time of matriculation, or three years from the time of candidacy. A fee of $100 per quarter will be charged for extension granted for the completion of the dissertation beyond the time limits.

5. Failure to obtain an extension beyond the prescribed study periods will be considered withdrawal from the program.

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