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3) DEGREE TITLE: MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION
DEGREE PROGRAM:
RELIGION
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Master of Arts in Religion Program is a graduate
academic degree which is available to those students who do not need or want
the M.Div. degree. The M.A in Religion requires the same academic level as the
M.Div.. However, it does not require any of the practical courses necessary for
pastoral training. Pastors who are already established in ministry and have an
earned bachelors degree in religion, may not need the M.Div., but desire
further study and recognition on the graduate level.
TITLE OF DEGREE: MASTER
OF ARTS IN RELIGION (M.A in RELIGION)
REQUIREMENTS:
A total of 66 semester units (or 60 s.u. plus Thesis)
is required for the M.A. in Religion degree. Among them, a maximum of 15 units
may be selected from Specialized Upper Division undergraduate studies(400
levels) relevant to the student’s program.
Students should choose one of the Theological Studies, World Mission and
Christian Education as their Specialization Studies.
Students who have an earned bachelor's degree from an
approved Christian College or University with a major in religion or related
field may receive up to 24 semester units of advanced standing. Those courses
which qualify for advanced standing in the program are limited to the following
courses.
Maximum units in each area are:
Biblical Language (6)
Church History
(6)
Theology (6)
Bible Electives (9)
Open Electives (15)
Students transferring from other approved graduate
schools may transfer up to 40 units into the program.
PRE-RESEARCH EXAMINATION
Before beginning the master's thesis or project, all
students must pass a 6-9 hour written examination on trends in scholarship in
the major study, based on readings from scholarly journals, books, and other
relevant publications. Appropriate bibliographies to assist in preparation for
the exam may be obtained from each Program Directors and from the student's
Academic Committee members.
The student's Academic Committee may, at its
discretion, require an oral exam following the mandatory written test.
In the Pre-Research Examination the student is asked
to demonstrate knowledge of (1) the principal schools of thought and (2) the
major theoretical and methodological trends leading up to the `state of the
art' today, and familiarity with (3) the classic literature and (4) major
journals in the major study.
The topics to be covered by the examination and the
questions to be asked are set by the student's Academic Committee and must be
approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Normally, three to six main
areas of knowledge (subdisciplines) within the major study are addressed in
major essay questions, sometimes supplemented by short answer, identification,
or other types of questions.
The passing level on the examination is determined by
the student's Academic Committee in consultation with the Vice President. In
borderline cases, the answers may be referred by the Vice President to a fourth
reader, or an oral examination may be required.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Research
Examination, student should file for advancement to candidacy.
Students who fail to show adequate understanding of
their major study, or who fail any section of the Pre-Research Examination,
may:
a. Be asked to rewrite the entry examination after an
appropriate study period of not less than 3 months.
b. Be asked to rewrite one or more sections of the
examination after an appropriate study period of not less than 1 month.
c. Be asked to write a major paper (generally 15-30
pages in length) covering the failed section(s) of the examination. A separate
paper is required for each section failed.
d. Have their master's program terminated.
THESIS OR PROJECT
After completing all or almost all studies, passing
the Pre-Research Examination, the student should submit a Thesis Research
Proposal for approval. In some disciplines a master's project is allowed in
lieu of the thesis, and a similar Proposal must be approved for the project.
Upon approval of the Proposal, the student registers
for the master's thesis or project through the CTS. It is expected that more
than one term may be needed to complete the research and writing for the thesis
or project. A grade of In Progress (`IP') is listed on the student's record.
When the work is completed a grade of Pass (`P') is entered. The `P' grade does
not replace the `IP', but is entered for the term when final approval of the
thesis or project is obtained. The completed thesis or project must be approved
by all member of the student's Academic Committee.
Those failing to satisfactorily complete the thesis or
project will have their degree program terminated.
ALTERNATE PATTERN-Comprehensive Examination plus Three
Major Papers
In a few cases, a comprehensive examination and three
papers in the major study may be allowed by the student's Academic Committee in
lieu of a master's thesis or project, generally if the student is expected to
proceed directly with studies toward the doctorate course in qualified academic
institution. If the student's Program of Studies includes this option, the
comprehensive examination and all three major papers must be approved by all
members of the student's Academic Committee.
The Comprehensive Examination includes the
Pre-Research Examination in the Major Study (see Pre-Research Examination) and
additional sections related to the student's specific Program of Studies and
areas of research. The three Major Papers each should exceed a typical graduate
term paper in quality, depth of coverage, and length, but may be based on
previously submitted course papers.
Regulations governing the Pre-Research Examination
(approval, passing levels, rewriting, fees, etc.) also apply to the
Comprehensive Examination.
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites for the M.A in Religion program are to
meet the School's admission qualifications which indicate their ability to
pursue advanced study and research. It normally requires a bachelor's or
master's degree from regionally accredited liberal arts
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
Instruction consists of thorough lectures by the
instructor, class presentation and participation of the students, mid- and
final examinations, along with reading assignments and term papers.
The students will be evaluated on the following basis:
Mid- and Final Examinations: 60%
Reading assignments & term papers: 20%
Class Presentation and participation: 10%
Class Attendance: 10%
In some courses, students are required to take field
trips and/or attend seminars, workshops and concerts in order to improve and
broaden their learning experiences. Sometimes, the CTS invites outstanding and
well-known scholars for special lectures. These special lectures normally last
for more than two weeks. The students are required to attend the lectures and
to be tested later. These special lectures are given to the students without
extra charge.
CURRICULUM:
REQUIRED COURSES
A total of 60 semester units is required for the M.A.
in Religion degree.
Students should choose one of the Theological Studies,
World Mission and Christian Education as their Specialization Studies.
COURSE NUMBERING
001-099 Remedial
courses not on college level
100-299 Lower
Division Undergraduate courses designed for general education, freshmen and
sophomores, but open to all students. A few have
specific prerequisites.
300-399 Upper
Division Undergraduate courses designed for juniors and seniors. All have a prerequisite of sophomore standing or
above.
400-499 Specialized
Upper Division.
500-699 Graduate
courses. All have a prerequisite of graduate standing.
700-799 Doctoral
level studies. Open only to doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy. Consent of
instructor is required.
*Specialization
A. Theological Studies (66 Credit hours)
6 Units Biblical
Language (BL 480, 481 or BL485, 486)
6 Units Christian
History (HI 447, 448)
15 Units Theology
(TH 458, 459 Required)
15 Units Bible
Studies (OT 511, 512, NT 531, 532 Required)
12 Units Theology
Electives
12 Units Open
Electives
Total....... 66 Units
B. World Mission (66 Credit hours)
6 Units Biblical
Language (BL 480, 481 or BL485, 486)
6 Units Christian
History (HI 447, 448)
12 Units Theology
(TH 458, 459 Required)
15 Units Bible
Studies (OT 511, 512, NT 531, 532 Required)
15 Units World
Mission Electives
12 Units Open
Electives
Total....... 66 Units
C. Christian Education (66 Credit hours)
6 Units Biblical
Language (BL 480, 481 or BL485, 486)
6 Units Christian
History (HI 447, 448)
12 Units Theology
(TH 458, 459 Required)
15 Units Bible
Studies (OT 511, 512, NT 531, 532 Required)
15 Units Christian
Education Electives
12 Units Open
Electives
Total....... 66 Units
4) DEGREE TITLE: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN RELIGION
DEGREE PROGRAM:
RELIGION
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
A Ph.D. means a doctorate in the
"philosophy" of the subject. This requires sufficient study for the
learning process to be oriented within the history and theory of an academic
discipline or an appropriate interdisciplinary context, sufficiently in depth to
see one's findings in relation to (a) previous research, (b) the standard
literature of the field, and (c) the CTS' focus on Religion. The doctorate
demands that the learner think critically and interrelate facts within a broad
theoretical framework.
TITLE OF DEGREE: DOCTOR
OF PHILOSOPHY IN RELIGION
REQUIREMENTS:
Normally, the doctoral program in religion requires a
minimum of 54 semester units over three years of full-time graduate education
or the equivalent in part-time study.
The 54 semester units of Ph.D in Religion, outlined in
the learner's Program of Studies, generally involve an in-depth investigation
of specific subdisciplines in the learner's specialization such as Theological
Studies, World Mission or Christian Education, and in supporting disciplines.
They may include both theory and applied studies, and typically emphasize
directed readings, field research and graduate seminars that prepare the
learner for the doctoral qualifying examination and for research toward the
dissertation.
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