Master of Divinity
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Master of Sacred
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| Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)
Graduates of accredited colleges and graduates of this or some other accredited theological school who have attained a high standing (i.e., an average not lower than a B plus) in both their collegiate and theological courses may be admitted to S.T.M. candidacy. The M.Div. or the M.A. in theological studies is prerequisite for admission to the S.T.M. program. Applicants for admission may also be required to submit an essay they have written as a sample of their academic writing to give evidence of their ability to pursue graduate study and research. Advanced standing and transfer credits are not granted to students in programs for the S.T.M. degree.
There are two programs leading to the S.T.M., a general program and a research program. When students are admitted they are notified which of the two programs is appropriate in their case. The decision is made on the basis of the candidate's previous record, particular interests and professional needs, and the Seminary's resources. Most S.T.M. students are admitted into the general program. Both are one-year programs.
The general degree is intended for those who will profit more from advanced course work and seminary study.
The research degree requires greater competence in languages and is designed for students who wish to devote a larger proportion of their time to research in a limited area and to the writing of an original thesis.
S.T.M. Graduation Requirements for the General Program
- The candidate chooses an area or department of special study in one of the four fields of the curriculum at the beginning of the academic year. The student's program of study must be approved by a faculty adviser.
- A candidate pursues graduate study at the Seminary for at least one full academic year and satisfactorily completes a program of 24 points in advanced course work for full credit. "R-credit" points can not be counted in the 24 required points.
- Included in this program of 24 points must be a seminar (or another advanced course) for at least one semester, in which the candidate prepares a significant "extended paper" of 30-40 pages on some limited topic in his or her chosen field of major study. A special form to be filled out in this connection is available from the Registrar, to be signed by the student and the professor concerned and returned to the Registrar.
- The student must give evidence by examination that he or she has a good reading knowledge of a modern language other than English that is appropriate to his/her area of study. Normally this requirement is met by an examination in French, German, or Spanish. Language examinations are to be taken at the Seminary on dates prescribed by the academic calendar. To substitute another language for French, German, or Spanish requires the approval of the academic dean. A record of previous study of one of the biblical languages, Hebrew or Greek, or of Latin, can also be accepted for this requirement. Competency in Hebrew is required for specialized Old Testament study, as is Greek for New Testament students.
- Six points of graduate work taken at an affiliated seminary are allowed to count toward the degree requirements, provided they are approved in advance by the dean of academic administration.
- Except by special permission of the academic dean, the candidate (who is a U.S. citizen or permanent-resident) must complete the degree requirements including the extended paper not later than four years after admission to graduate study. International students are always required to be enrolled full-time, so as S.T.M. candidates they are expected to complete the degree in one academic year.
S.T.M. Graduation Requirements for the Research Program
- A candidate for the S.T.M. in the research program must show by examination a reading knowledge of French or German, and of such other languages (e.g., Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Latin) as may be necessary to the work in the field of special study. If the field of study requires a reading knowledge of a modern language other than French or German, this may, with approval of the dean of academic administration, be accepted in fulfillment of the modern language requirement.
- The language examination may be taken at the Seminary on the dates given in the academic calendar, but it should be taken at the earliest opportunity. A student who twice fails to pass the language examination can not present a thesis for the S.T.M. research degree until at least one semester after the one in which the language examination is passed.
- The candidate must choose an area of special study within one of the fields and must have this approved by a faculty adviser in the department concerned and by the dean at the beginning of the academic year.
- As a candidate for the research-program degree, the student must pursue graduate study in this Seminary for at least one full academic year, completing advanced courses for a minimum of 16 points of credit. He or she must satisfactorily complete the program of study arranged under the direction of a faculty advisor in a department of the student's field of special study. A candidate who has permission to distribute the work over two or more years may be required to wait until the year following the completion of course requirements before submitting a thesis. (Part-time studies are not in fact possible for international students, since the laws and regulations concerning their student visas require them to be enrolled on a full-time basis.)
- The candidate must prepare an acceptable thesis on a subject within the chosen field of study. The subject must be approved by two members of the faculty and reported to the Registrar not later than November 1. An outline of the thesis and a preliminary bibliography must be presented to the faculty readers by December 15. The thesis must be presented not later than April 1 preceding the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred. (Details regarding the form in which the thesis must be presented may be obtained from the Registrar's Office.) Before the degree is conferred, the candidate must pass a final oral examination on the subject of the thesis, to be conducted by the faculty committee of readers.
- The candidate must work under the direction and to the satisfaction of the committee appointed to supervise his or her work on the thesis, and must take such courses and seminars as the field may require.
- Six points of graduate work taken at the University or at other educational institutions with which the Seminary is affiliated are allowed to count toward the degree requirements, provided they are approved in advance by the dean of academic administration.
- Except by special permission of the academic dean, a candidate who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must complete the degree requirements, including the extended paper, not later than four years after admission to graduate study. International students are always required to be enrolled full-time, so as S.T.M. candidates they are expected to complete the degree in one academic year.
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