Theology, M.A.

Core Requirements. The following five courses are required of all students:

• T/RS 500 - Old Testament Exegesis
• T/RS 501 - New Testament Exegesis

• or a special-topics course in scripture

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Electives

Students take 15 elective credits. In the thesis option, nine credits are taken in elective courses and six credits are devoted to the thesis. In the non-thesis option, all 15 elective credits are taken in courses. Selection of courses for the elective part of the program should be made in consultation with a faculty mentor. By judicious selection of courses, students may form a concentration in such areas as Eastern Christian Studies, Scripture, Systematic Theology or Moral Theology. 

Capstone Experience

 As a final requirement, all students must complete a capstone experience prior to graduation. To fulfill this capstone requirement, the student may select a thesis or non-thesis option.
Under the thesis option, after having completed 24 hours of course work, the student devotes his or her final six hours to the thesis. The thesis constitutes the student’s capstone  experience in the program. It should be a critical study consisting of no less than 12,000 words, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Upon approval of the thesis by the faculty mentor and other designated thesis readers, the student defends the thesis at a public oral defense.

Under the non-thesis option, the student completes all of the required 30 hours of course work. In his or her last semester, or subsequently, the student takes a comprehensive examination, which serves as a capstone experience. The examination is a three-hour written examination testing the student’s comprehensive understanding of the theology he or she has studied.