Master of Sacred Theology
The Master of Sacred Theology degree provides the opportunity to gain further mastery in a chosen area of theological study. Students will attain and apply the skills needed for scholarly research in a theological discipline at an advanced level. The Master of Sacred Theology program is intended for those who may wish to prepare for graduate study at the doctoral level or for various forms of teaching, to enhance their scholarly understanding of ministerial practice, or to engage in disciplined reflection in an area of ministry. Applicants for admission should have a Master of Divinity degree or a first graduate theological degree providing equivalent theological background.
Graduation from the School of Theology follows the successful completion of all requirements for the specified program of study and the approval of the degree by the Senate of the University upon nomination by the Faculty of the School of Theology.
A Master of Sacred Theology student, who has successfully completed all prescribed work, has completed all non-credit degree requirements when applicable, and has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 is eligible for the award of the degree of Master of Sacred Theology.
Master of Sacred Theology (General Track)
The Master of Sacred Theology (General Track) is offered primarily during the summer months. Work for the degree may be completed in one year (summer session and two consecutive academic year terms); the degree must be completed within six years from matriculation. A student who experiences extenuating circumstances which prevent them from finishing in six years may petition the Advanced Degrees Program Committee to allow one or two additional years for completion. A continuance fee may be required. For the purposes of the summer intensive term, two courses count as full-time enrollment.
All coursework done during the academic year to be counted towards the Master of Sacred Theology degree must be done at an advanced level. Students must arrange with their professors to undertake extra work, and the work is to be assessed at a level beyond that of an Master of Divinity student. The extra work undertaken in the course is to be documented with the School of Theology's Office of Academic Affairs.
Requirements for the Degree
Students must complete a minimum of thirty semester hours of academic credit with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Six of the hours must be in the form of a thesis. The student, working in consultation with a thesis supervisor from the faculty of the School of Theology, will develop a proposal and write a thesis demonstrating scholarly competence, and pass an examination covering the area of the thesis and major specialization.
Additionally, a student must satisfy all financial obligations to the University. The University will neither confer a degree nor provide transcripts to any student or former student who has unsatisfied financial obligations to the University.
Thesis and Candidacy
The student will be required to complete a thesis demonstrating scholarly competence.
After the completion of twelve credit hours, the student will submit a written statement requesting candidacy and the thesis proposal. In preparation for the thesis proposal and candidacy request, the student will consult with the Director of Advanced Degrees about the general subject of the thesis. The Director will work with the student to choose a supervisor for the preparation of the proposal. The supervisor will be a member of the teaching faculty of the School of Theology, and will serve as the first reader. Guidelines are provided for writing the thesis proposal and for the thesis itself.
To be granted candidacy, the student must have at least a 3.00 grade point average in their degree work already completed, must have their thesis proposal approved, and must show progress made toward meeting their goal as stated in the application. The student will develop the thesis proposal with the guidance of their chosen supervisor, and following the supervisor’s approval will present the proposal to the advanced degrees program. The Advanced Degrees Committee will review each student’s candidacy request and thesis proposal and either approve candidacy, ask the student to address concerns and resubmit a revised proposal, or reject candidacy.
Upon approval of a thesis proposal, the Committee will select, or approve the student’s request of, the second reader. The Committee will consider the thesis subject and the potential reader’s expertise, workload, and availability. Readers are ordinarily faculty of the University. On occasion, an outside scholar with particular expertise in the thesis subject may be contracted as a reader. The student is responsible for obtaining this person’s verbal agreement, but no formal invitation may be extended except by the Director.
The normal paradigm is two classes in each of four summers and registration for thesis hours after the fourth summer. A student may not register for thesis hours until the thesis proposal has been approved. A student may choose to finish sooner by registering for the thesis hours in January after the fourth summer in order to graduate in May of that year.
Examination
An oral defense covering the area of the thesis and major specialization is also required. This may be accomplished in person, by conference call, or video conference as circumstances may demand.
A final, library copy of the thesis is submitted to the Coordinator of Academic Affairs for binding. Final submission must take place by April 1 for graduation the following May. Formatting requirements are available from the Coordinator.
Non-credit Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Diversity Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's Children Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's People Workshop | ||
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For details on these workshops, see the Non-credit Degree Requirements for Graduation section. These workshops are not required of S.T.M. students in residence in summer only.
Master of Sacred Theology (Anglican Studies Track)
The Master of Sacred Theology (Anglican Studies Track) provides the opportunity to acquire fuller mastery in that field and is suitable for those previously ordained in another denomination who plan to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. Applicants for admission should have a Master of Divinity degree prior to enrollment.
A Master of Sacred Theology (Anglican Studies Track) student requires one year of full-time study. This is done during one summer and one academic year. The thirty semester hours are achieved with six hours in a summer session, twenty-four hours in the academic year, and include a thesis for six hours of credit.
All coursework done during the academic year to be counted towards the Master of Sacred Theology degree must be done at an advanced level. Students must arrange with their professors to undertake extra work, and the work is to be assessed at a level beyond that of a Master of Divinity. The extra work undertaken in the course is to be documented with the School of Theology's Office of Academic Affairs.
Requirements for the Degree
Once accepted, the Director of Advanced Degrees will advise students on their course of study, which will include some or all of the core requirements for the Diploma of Anglican Studies.
Additionally, a student must satisfy all financial obligations to the University. The University will neither confer a degree nor provide transcripts to any student or former student who has unsatisfied financial obligations to the University.
Typically, students take the following courses during the academic year:
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | ||
| CHHT 551 | Global Anglicanism | 3 |
| HOML 530 | Introduction to Preaching | 3 |
| LTCM 507 | Church Music | 3 |
| LTCM 511 | History of Christian Worship | 3 |
| LTCM 521 | Pastoral Liturgics: The Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church | 3 |
| MNST 511 | Pastoral Theology: Theology and Practice of Pastoral Care | 3 |
| THEO 503 | Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| Theology Elective (Easter Semester) | 3 | |
| Summer Term | ||
| THEO 595 | Master of Sacred Theology Thesis | 6 |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
Thesis and Candidacy
The student will be required to complete a six-hour thesis demonstrating scholarly competence in the area of Anglican Studies.
The process is described above, under the description of the Master of Sacred Theology (General Track). The thesis generally cannot be completed while doing the course work for the degree, so the time from matriculation to graduation can take two years. The school can provide certification of requirements completed to diocesan officials prior to the granting of the degree.
Examination
An oral defense covering the area of the thesis and major specialization is also required. This may be accomplished in person, by conference call, or video conference as circumstances may demand.
A final, library copy of the thesis is submitted to the Coordinator of Academic Affairs for binding; final submission must take place by April 1 for graduation the following May. Formatting requirements are available from the Coordinator.
Non-credit Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Chapel Participation, as scheduled | ||
| Constitution and Canons (Title IV) Workshop | ||
| Cultural Diversity Workshop | ||
| Education for Ministry (EfM) Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's Children Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's People Workshop | ||
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For details on these workshops, see the Non-credit Degree Requirements for Graduation section.