Master of Theology
Entrance Requirements
- Holder of one of the following degrees:
a) An accredited Master of Divinity degree or equivalent.
b) An accredited Master of Christian Studies degree or equivalent. Once admitted the student will be required to take 24 credits of the Master of Divinity courses.
c) Other accredited master degrees in theology, such as the Master of Arts in Christian Studies. Once admitted, the student will be required to take remedial Master of Divinity courses; the number of courses required will depend on the number of relevant credits earned in the earlier degree. For those with multiple Master degrees, all relevant courses will be counted. - Each major/concentration has its own basic requirements; for example, biblical languages are required for biblical studies major. If an applicant does not fulfill the basic requirements of a major/concentration, upon admission, the Graduate Studies Committee may require him/her to take remedial Master of Divinity courses and/or pass tests of relevant subjects arranged by the Committee.
Program Structure
Major/Concentration
Applicants are required to choose a major for their application. Upon admission, they may further choose a concentration within their major of studies but this is optional. The Seminary does not guarantee that all courses for a particular concentration will be offered every semester. Should that happen, students may take courses in another area (see below for the number of courses allowed) or wait for the courses in their concentration to be offered. Students are also allowed to change their concentration depending on the courses they take during their program of studies.
Study Modes
Students have a choice of one of the following study modes.
Thesis Only Requirements:
[At present this is the only option opened to those who wish to major in practical theology.]
- Completion of the program within five years.
- Passing of a general examination in the area of studies.
- Successful submission of a thesis prospectus after passing the general examination. The thesis may be written in English or Chinese (between 35,000 and 50,000 words in English; between 50,000 and 75,000 words in Chinese).
- Presentation of the research in two academic conferences; however, attendance of other conferences is not required.
- Passing of an oral defense.
Mixed Mode Requirements:
- Completion of the program within five years.
- Completion of seven courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
Major only: Five courses within the major area; the two remaining courses may be from outside of one’s major.
Major with concentration: At least four courses within the concentration area; one of the remaining three courses may be taken from outside of one’s concentration, and two of the three remaining courses may be taken from any major.
- Successful submission of a thesis prospectus after completion of the courses. The thesis may be written in English or Chinese (between 25,000 and 30,000 words in English; between 35,000 and 50,000 words in Chinese).
- Attendance of an academic conference organized or approved by the Seminary once a year and presentation of the research in one of the conferences.
- Successful completion of the thesis.
Courses Only Requirements:
- Completion of the program within five years.
- Completion of 10 courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
Major only: At least seven courses within the major area; the three remaining courses may be taken from any major.
Major with concentration: At least six courses within the concentration area; one of the four remaining courses may be taken from outside of one’s concentration, and three of the four remaining courses may be taken from any major.