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Master of Theology

The Th.M. program is designed for persons who have already completed an M.A. and/or M.Div. degrees or their equivalent from a recognized theological seminary in their continuing and advanced studies. The program engages students in a general and specific course of studies worked out by approval of the Faculty to deepen the biblical and theological knowledge of the student. Normally students are required to write a thesis or prepare a project which is related to the future task in their own countries, or write a series of research papers. Full-time students can complete the course requirements for this program over a two-year period, although additional time may be required to complete the thesis.

Admission

To qualify for admission as a candidate for the Master of Theology Degree, an applicant must be the graduate of a regionally accredited, governmental licensed or registered institution and must possess a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity Degree from a regionally accredited, governmental licensed or registered institution, or possess the equivalent of such a degree. His/her previous record must show a good academic standing. He/she must also present evidence by way of transcripts or otherwise of possessing knowledge of Hebrew and/or Greek.

Degree Requirements

1. The candidate for the degree shall satisfactorily complete work amounting to not less than 84 quarter units on the graduate level. The student may meet this requirement by successfully completing 78 units of course work plus an acceptable thesis worth 6 hours credit, or successfully completing 89 hours of course work including a minimum of 4 research papers and a 2 unit Research Methodology course.

2. Th.M. students must choose an area of specification and must take a minimum of 5 courses and write their thesis or research papers in the area of their specialization.

3. All candidates must maintain a grade point average of 2.67 (B-) or higher.

4. The requirements for the degree may ordinarily be fulfilled in two years. Students who have M.Div. degree may complete the program in one to one and a half years. In each situation the student must work out his/her program with the academic dean/dean of graduate studies.

Courses Requirements

The program allows two options:

1. M.Div. equivalent courses and 30 units of graduate courses, plus a thesis 6 units; or,

2. 41 units of graduate coursework including a minimum of 4 research papers and a 2 unit Research Methodology course.

Students who have an M.Div. degree may apply a maximum of 48 units of previous work into this program, provided that their previous M.Div. program is compatible with the ITS M.Div. program.

All students must take a minimum of 2 courses at ITS division of Systematic and Philosophical Theology throughout their Th.M. program at ITS. Students graduated from seminary(ies) of Non-reformed persuasion must complete an additional 2 courses in Systematic and Philosophical Theology division at ITS.

All elective classes and those with 900 course number headings in the regular school year and summer sessions are open to Th.M. students. Descriptions of these courses are found elsewhere in the catalog.

Dissertation Procedures

1. The candidate selects the subject of his/her thesis in consultation with his/her faculty sponsor with the approval of the academic dean. The dean then submits the thesis topic to the Faculty Committee for approval.

2. After approving the topic, the Faculty Committee appoints a thesis committee, consisting of a faculty sponsor and a minimum of one faculty member, who supervise the writing of the thesis. The faculty sponsor serves as chairperson of the committee.

3. The thesis must reflect the use of standard research methods, display appropriate familiarity with the sources, and demonstrate a sound grasp of the subject. Adequate treatment of the subject and the number of hours of credit received toward the degree will determine the length of the thesis. It should be prepared in accordance with the standards set forth in A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, by Kate L. Turabian (4th edition, 1973).

(An "ITS Manual of Standards for Theses" which summarizes the above Manual has been approved by the faculty and must be followed by the student. Copies are available from the academic office.)

4. A schedule for the various steps in the preparation of the thesis is set by the thesis committee. Two final copies of the thesis must be submitted by April 15 of the year of graduation. A thesis abstract of approximately 500 words must be submitted along with the 2 copies.

5. After the thesis has been approved by the thesis committee, the student must deposit in the library the original and one copy, both bound according to the library's specifications.

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