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Master of Sacred Theology Degree

  1. The candidate for the STM degree must have earned the B.D./M.Div. degree or its equivalent.
  2. The candidate must earn at least 45 credits. Nine (9) of these may be earned by writing an acceptable thesis in the major area, or up to six (6) may be earned in directed research in any area. Tuition cost for credits earned in this manner will be identical to tuition cost for credits earned in the classroom.
  3. The major areas in which graduate credit will be given and from which the student must choose his area of concentration are the following:
    • Exegetical Theology
    • Systematic Theology
    • Historical Theology
    • Practical Theology
  4. The candidate for the degree must earn at least 21 credits in his area of concentration. Nine (9) of these credits may be earned by writing a thesis, or up to six (6) may be earned in directed research.
  5. Of the remaining 24 credits, at least 15 must be earned in the other major areas. These 15 credits may be divided between the three areas in any proportion.
  6. If the candidate chooses Exegetical Theology as his area of concentration, he must earn at least three (3) credits in Hebrew exegesis, and three (3) credits in Greek exegesis, if he writes a thesis. If a thesis is not written, at least six (6) credits must be earned in Hebrew exegesis and six (6) in Greek exegesis.
  7. If the candidate elects Systematic, Historical, or Practical Theology as his major area, at least six (6) credits must be earned in Exegetical Theology. Any OT and NT courses qualify as exegetical theology for meeting this requirement.
  8. Comprehensive examinations, both oral and written, will be included in the requirements for the degree. (Cf. additional note below.)
  9. Students who intend to become candidates for the degree shall indicate this intention by applying to the chairman of the department of their major concentration for an advisor. For summer quarter students pursuing an advanced degree, credits from courses taken more than 15 years in the past will not apply to the degree.
  10. Candidates choosing to write a thesis shall submit a thesis subject for approval by the faculty no later than one (1) full year prior to the conferral of the degree.
  11. A candidate who earns 36 credits and writes a thesis will submit to both a written examination on the courses taken and an oral examination on the thesis written. A candidate who earns 45 credits toward a degree but does not write a thesis will be required to take only a written examination on the courses taken.