Master of Theology

Designed to equip ministers and theological educators with skills in critical thinking and advanced research and to enhance their ability to serve the church through academic excellence as it responds to the needs of the time.

Thesis Track

The programme also seeks to prepare students to do doctoral work either locally or overseas. The programme may be completed in two years. Both full-time and part-time students must complete their thesis writing and defend the thesis in an oral examination within 2 semesters. Four areas of concentration are offered through two academic divisions: (1) Biblical Studies in Old Testament and New Testament and (2) Theological Studies in Systematic Theology and Historical Theology. English or Mandarin interpretation of all ThM lectures is provided.

General Studies Track

As an alternative to these concentrations, the ThM programme also offers a General Studies track for those who would like to pursue advanced studies without having to write a thesis. This will be a two-year terminal degree requiring the completion of four ThM area seminars (two from Biblical Studies and two from Theological Studies), two readings courses in Biblical and/or Theological Studies, and two elective courses. The basic entrance and graduation requirements apply, except for the completion of the thesis and oral exam.

Requirements

Entrance Requirements

MDiv or MA (Biblical/Theological Studies) or equivalent from an accredited institution
GPA of 3.3 in all master’s level work
TOEFL: 570 (PBT)/232 (CBT)/89 (IBT) / IELTS: 6.5 and may also be required to pass an additional English entrance exam.
Biblical Studies applicants must demonstrate their Greek/Hebrew language proficiency by passing a biblical language entrance exam.
Theological Studies and General Studies applicants must pass a theological thinking and writing exam.
Applicants must submit a research paper (related to their intended area of study) that demonstrates their ability to research and write at a high level.
Additional 1 year of ThMprep is required to make up for any credits deficiencies or lack evidence of adequate foundation in academic preparation for ThM studies.

Graduation Requirements

Earn a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0.
Complete required coursework: 2 core courses, 1 readings course and 1 elective (General Studies track: 4 core courses, 2 readings courses and 2 electives).
Submit an approved thesis (around 30,000 words) and successfully defend it in an oral examination (exempted for General Studies track).
Demonstrate Christian character and spiritual maturity.

Biblical / Theological Studies Curriculum

Year 1

First Semester	Credit Hours
Core course I – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: Philosophical Hermeneutics THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: Philosophy of Religion	6
Readings course I OT/NT/ST/HT based on area of research	6
	12

Second Semester	Credit Hours
Core course I – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: History of Interpretation THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: History of Christian Doctrines	6
Elective course Guided study / external work / special arrangement based on area of research	6
	12

Year 2

First Semester	Second Semester
Thesis proposal and writing.	Thesis completion and oral examination.

General Studies Curriculum

Year 1

First Semester	Credit Hours
Core course I – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: Philosophical Hermeneutics THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: Philosophy of Religion	6
Readings course I OT/NT/ST/HT based on area of research	6
	12

Second Semester	Credit Hours
Core course II – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: History of Interpretation THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: History of Christian Doctrines	6
Elective course I Guided study / external work / special arrangement based on area of research	6
	12

Year 2

First Semester	Credit Hours
Core course III – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: Philosophical Hermeneutics THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: Philosophy of Religion	6
Readings course II OT/NT/ST/HT based on area of research	6
	12

Second Semester	Credit Hours
Core course IV – (choose one) BIBLICAL STUDIES: History of Interpretation THEOLOGICAL STUDIES: History of Christian Doctrines	6
Elective course II Guided study / external work / special arrangement based on area of research	6
	12

OT Theology, NT Theology, OT Studies, NT Studies, OT Ethics, NT Use of the OT, Second Temple Judaism, Contextual Theology, Religious Dialogue, Early Church Fathers, Contemporary Issues, etc

Students on the thesis track are required to complete 2 core courses, 1 readings course and 1 elective related to their area of concentration. Students on the non-thesis, General Studies track are required to complete all 4 core courses, as well as 2 readings courses and 2 electives.
Full-time students must carry no less than 12 credit hours per semester from the ThM programme while part-time students must carry a minimum course load of 6 credit hours per semester. Both full-time and part-time students must complete their thesis writing and defend the thesis in an oral examination within 2 semesters. Part-time students on the General Studies track must complete their coursework in no more than 8 semesters.
All core courses are conducted in seminar format. Each student is required to attend lectures, participate in discussions, present a research paper and respond to a classmate’s paper. English and Mandarin interpretation of the lectures is provided.
The readings course is designed to orient students to the wide scope of scholarship in their area of concentration. Students must pass a written examination.
The elective course is designed to prepare students to do advanced research in their field of study. Prior approval from the director is required before students may register for elective courses related to their research.