MASTER OF THEOLOGY
PURPOSE
The
Program of 'Master of Theology' is designed to provide research
and enrichment opportunities for those who have completed the
Master of Divinity program. Its purpose is to prepare teachers
for Bible colleges(schools) as well as to enhance preparation
for the pastoral ministry.
The Program of Master of Theology provides a one or two-year curriculum
for students having completed a recognized three-year M. Div.
program in graduate theological studies for those preparing for
responsible positions of Christian leadership.
For graduation a minimum of thirty(36) semester hours of residence
work must be completed, including six semester hours of credit
for the dissertation. Twenty semester hours shall be in the student's
major field, and at least six hours other than his major field.
At least four semester hours in his major field shall be on a
seminar basis.
The Th M is a master of theology degree program in biblical and
theological studies. It builds upon the M.Div degree by challenging
students to: (1) explore theological and exegetical issues; (2)
develop advanced methods and disciplines of critical thinking,
research, and writing in preparation for doctoral study; (3) continue
their education through systematic biblical and theological study
while in ministry.
REQUIREMENTS
The degree Master of Theology will be awarded upon meeting the
following requirements:
1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with at least a 2.00
average.
2. Service in approved Christian ministry for two or three semesters.
3. Completion of a thesis of at least 25,000 words in the area
of specialty, at least 80 pages of letter size.
4. Demonstration of spiritual fitness for the Christian ministry
by the student's attitude toward biblical studies, active participation
in the local church, and personal conduct and deportment with
the student body and the Christian public which commends the gospel.
5. Agreement with the doctrinal position of the VCU.
6. Reception of faculty approval of a proposed thesis topic if
pursuing the thesis option. Students must satisfy all of the above
requirements and be approved for candidacy before they will be
permitted to take their fifth course in the program. Students
in the Th.M. program who do not satisfy the candidature requirements
outlined above are not allowed to continue taking course work
in the program and may resume their Th. M. studies only after
receiving candidacy.
LANGUAGE
REQUIREMENTS
Th.M.
students are expected to be competent in both Greek and Hebrew
exegesis. Any deficiencies in language must be made up in addition
to completion of the prescribed Th.M. curriculum.
FIELDS
OF CONCENTRATION
Students
may select one of four areas of specialty: Old Testament Literature
and Exegesis, New Testament Literature and Exegesis, Theology,
Missions/ Intercultural Ministries. Four elective semester hours
of study as well as the thesis (see below) must be completed in
the area of specialty.
GRADUATION
THESIS
As
a consummate exercise of biblical understanding, research, and
exposition, each candidate for this degree is required to complete
a thesis of at least 25,000 words with a passing grade(or 140-150
page). The special regulations governing the thesis are set forth
in the current Thesis Manual. The thesis must be written in the
student's area of specialty.
A student who has finished all classroom work prior to completion
of the thesis must at some point register and pay for six semester
hours of thesis credit. For each academic semester in which the
student has finished the classroom work, but does not register
for the thesis, a thesis extension fee will be charged.
CURRICULUM
The following curriculum leads to the Master of Theology degree
for those who have completed the M.Div program. Major study of
Th. M requires safisfactory completion of following;
Major
Field- Old Testament.....24 Credits
OT 403. Hebrew Discourse Analysis (3)
OT 617. Worship in Ancient Israel. (3)
OT 721. Old Testament Theology (3)
OT 722. The Bible and Archaeology (3)
OT 720. Christ in the Old Testament. (3)
OT 823. Old Testament Wisdom (3)
OT 824. Old Testament Poetics (3)
OT 825. OT Textual Criticism (3)
General/ Elective.........................................................10
Credits
The dissertation. ...............................................
6 Credits
Total 36 Credits
Major
Field- New Testament...27 Credits
NT 403. New Testament Greek II (3)
NT 626. The Kingdom of God. (3)
NT 620. The Life of Christ. (3)
NT 623. Parables of Christ (3)
NT 625. Miracles of Christ. (3)
NT 621. New Testament Theology (3)
NT 727. The Pauline Theology. (3)
NT 829. History of Interpretation (3)
NT 828. Biblical Hermeneutics. (3)
General/ Elective...........................................10
Credits
the dissertation. ...................... ............ 6 Credits
Total 36 Credits
Major
Field- Church History....20 Credits
CH 506. The Reformation in America (3)
CH 608. American Evangelicalism (3)
CH 716. The Origins of Covenant Theology(3)
CH 717. British Puritans and Presbyterians(3)
CH 718. History of Doctrine (3)
CH 719. Augustine and Augustinian Theology (3)
CH 720. Theology of Thomas Aquinas (3)
CH 820. Theology of Karl Barth (3)
CH 821.History of the Charismatic Movements in America (3)
CH 822. Seminar on Jonathan Edwards (3)
General/ Elective.......................................10 Credits
the dissertation. ............................... 6 Credits
Total 36 Credits
Major
Field-- Systematic Theology...30 Credits
ST 610. The Doctrine of the Atonement (3)
AE 501. The Apologetics of Conelius Van Til (3)
AE 710. Law and Grace (3)
ST 613. The Theology of John Calvin (3)
ST 715. Contemporary Theology (3)
ST 716. Roman Catholic Theology (3)
ST 717. The Doctrine of Sanctification (3)
ST 818. Theology of the Sacraments (3)
ST 819. Themes in Puritan Theology (3)
ST 820. Topics in the Doctrine of Man (3)
.
General/ Elective............................................10
Credits
the dissertation. ................................ .. 6 Credits
Total
36 Credits
