Our Programs ~ Advanced Degrees ~ Master of Sacred Theology

Master of Sacred Theology

The Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) program offers specialized advanced study in a particular theological discipline. This degree is for those who already hold a theology degree, normally the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in a theological discipline. The S.T.M. may be pursued in any of the Seminary’s regular fields of study: Scripture, Church History, Liturgics, and Theology (ascetical, historical, moral, and systematic), or in Anglican Studies (church history, systematic theology, ascetical theology, ethics, liturgics, preaching, and mission and world Christianity).

The S.T.M. may be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. A full-time student normally completes the degree in one academic year. All requirements for the S.T.M. degree must be completed by a part-time candidate within five years after he or she enters the program. The candidate may elect the thesis option or the non-thesis option.

Thesis Option

1. 24 credits are required in or closely related to the candidate’s major field of study, six of which are earned by the completion of the thesis. Candidates in Anglican Studies may be invited by the Advanced Degrees Committee (hereinafter, "the Committee") to earn some of their credits in the graduate seminar in Anglican Studies.

2. Submission to the Faculty of a substantial thesis is required. The thesis is to be approximately 20,000 words in length. It is to deal with a focused topic within the candidate’s field of study and which has been approved by the candidate’s faculty supervisor and by the Committee. The completed thesis must be presented to the Committee no later than the date set forth in the seminary calendar for the year in which the candidate proposes to receive the degree (typically April 1). The thesis is read by two members of the Faculty, one of whom is normally the candidate’s supervisor. If a full-time S.T.M. candidate who has chosen to write a thesis has not finished it at the end of the first academic year, a term-by-term continuation fee is charged.

Non-Thesis Option

Twenty-four credits are required in or closely related to the candidate’s major field of study. Candidates in Anglican Studies may be invited by the Committee to earn some of their credits in the graduate seminar in Anglican Studies;
Completion of a major paper of substantial length is required, on a topic approved by the candidate’s faculty supervisor. This paper need not be separate from the work undertaken as part of a particular course. Its purpose is to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Faculty the candidate’s ability to do graduate-level research and writing. The paper should be submitted during the final term of study for evaluation by the candidate’s faculty supervisor together with a second reader appointed by the Committee.

Planning an S.T.M. Program
Upon admission to the program, the candidate will be assigned a faculty supervisor by the Committee. With the supervisor, the candidate then proposes to the Committee a course of study. Changes of faculty supervisor must be approved by the Committee.

For those who intend to complete the degree in one academic year, the program proposal should include the thesis topic (where applicable) and a recommendation to the Committee for the appointment of the second reader.
For candidates electing the thesis option, up to six credits of external course work may be taken with the permission of the faculty supervisor and the chair of the Committee.
For those electing the non-thesis option, up to nine credits of external work may be taken.
Graduate-level courses at institutions with which the General Seminary has formal cross-registration agreements are not considered to be external.
Credit for graduate work done at other institutions in the three years prior to the candidate’s admission, and for which no degree was awarded, may be allowed upon recommendation of the Committee, provided that a majority of the credit hours are taken at General.
The student must complete all credits with a grade of B (not B-) or better in each course.

Languages
There are no uniform language requirements for S.T.M. candidates. The Committee reserves the right, upon recommendation of the Faculty supervisor, to require appropriate language facility when deemed necessary for the successful completion of the candidate’s work. Candidates in Scripture will normally have acquired sufficient facility in the appropriate biblical language(s). Courses where the primary aim is the acquisition of elementary language skills may not count for graduate credit.

Total credits required for graduation: 24

9/20/06