Online Master of Theology (M.Th.) at Campbellsville University

Greetings,

I'm in the process of applying for admission to the online M.Th. (which should be an M.A. in Theological Studies or Theology, but oh well) at Campbellsville, so I'm interested in hearing from the DI community about this program. I've spoken twice with the Dean of the School of Theology, Dr. John Hurtgen, and he has been extremely kind and helpful.

Even so, I haven't had the opportunity to hear from anyone in the program, so I'm interested in any information someone might have about the program, classes, etc. I know what's on the website, but, obviously, the website doesn't give a the kind of information any first-hand (or second-hand) accounts could offer.

Any comments are welcome!

Thanks,

Stefan

 

They have a very low graduation rate at the undergraduate level. I too noticed that they list their graduate theology degree as an M.Th instead of an MA. That's actually pretty cool. Exactly what is the difference between an M.Th and a MA in theology?

I think they are of the Southern Baptist persuasion.

 

About 90 semester hours. A MA in Theology is usually 30 or 36 hours. A MTh is usually about 30 hours beyond the MDiv, which is 90 hours.

 

May I ask what made you choose Campbellsville over other Baptist seminaries that are also regionally accredited, but less expensive? Liberty University and Baptist Bible College and Seminary come to mind.

 

I have some seminary hours, and, after talking with the Dean, I am fairly confident that I will be able to transfer the maximum number of hours (12), leaving me with only 18 hours to complete the degree. This factor dramatically changes the cost calculation.

Scholarships may also be available, but I haven't heard definitively yet.

I'm a bit reticent to pursue another degree at Liberty because I have two degrees from there already (MA in Human Services & EdS in Educational Leadership). Furthermore, I really don't like the required "Introduction to Seminary Studies" class at LU. I have an undergraduate degree in ministry, and I have two other graduate degrees, a graduate certificate in English, and just under 20 hours of seminary credit, including two classes at LU from several years ago. To put it frankly, I have absolutely no need to take an introduction class within the context of a 30 or 36 hour degree, but there does not seem to be any provision to waive the course, based on my conversations with LU representatives.

What impressed me thus far about CU's M.Th. is that the program does not rely heavily on adjuncts or online-only professors like Liberty tends to do. Also, Dr. Hurtgen, the dean of the school of theology at CU, spent about 2 hours talking to me in two separate phone calls about the program, pastoral ministry, faith, biblical studies, etc. I felt like I was just talking to an old friend.

Basically, my goal is to obtain some extra graduate hours in ministry while also completing a graduate degree in the field. I could then be very close to M.Div. or MA in Christian Education equivalency to eventually pursue a Doctor of Ministry or Doctor of Educational Ministry degree, most likely at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. When I discussed equivalency with a representative from MBTS, I was actually told that I was only one class away from being eligible for admission to the Doctor of Educational Ministry program (with about 12 hours of leveling courses added, which I could complete while in the program). If I just took the courses and went straight for the D.Ed.Min, however, I would not actually get a degree. With CU, I could complete the M.Th. while making up deficiencies at the same time.

I apologize if any of this sounds rambling. I am running on a massive sleep deficit!

 

This is where things get tricky. The "Master of Theology" degree is almost always a post-MDiv degree, as you mentioned, but the degree is usually abbreviated ThM. The M.Th. abbreviation is fairly uncommon in the US, but it is relatively common overseas as a degree following an undergraduate degree in theology or ministry.

The M.Th. has the potential for confusion, which is why I wish the degree would be an MA in Theology (the blessed M.A.Th. degree, requiring no calculus!) or a Master of Theological Studies (MTS). Someone being dishonest could try to misrepresent the degree as if it were a post-MDiv ThM, but if that is the goal, then ministry is likely not the best field for that person!

Overall, though, the degree at CU does seem to be much like the overseas M.Th. programs for admission requirements. Students have to come in with an undergraduate degree in ministry/theology or a significant number of credits in the field.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

I thought about trying to teach online at CU, which would make me eligible for a tuition discount as a student in their online M.Th program. You should see if you're eligible to teach in any of their online programs, thus giving you an even greater tuition discount (in addition to them accepting 12 of your prior credits). Just a thought.

 

Yes indeed, this is tricky. Ok, so this is what Pug and/or Stefan write:
- Th.M: a post M.Div degree (requires an M.Div?; what does CU require?)
- M.Th: 30 hours beyond the M.Div (requires an M.Div?)
- M.Th: follows an undergraduate degree in theology or ministry
- MA in Theology: 30-36 hours
- MTS: ?

 

Generally speaking, a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and an MA in Theology are about 30ish hours, and typically only a BA is required.

In the United States, a Th.M. usually follows an M.Div. (or equivalent). Many people pursue a Th.M. prior to pursuing Ph.D. studies because the MDiv is a professional degree, and the Th.M. is a research degree.

One major exception: Dallas Theological Seminary has a Th.M. instead of an M.Div. as the primary degree for pastoral training, and it is a 120 hour program, which is equivalent to the MDiv and ThM blended.

The M.Th. nomenclature is uncommon in the US, but it is basically equivalent to an MA in Theology or MTS.

To throw another wrench in the gears, some programs are named STM (Master of Sacred Theology). These are also post-MDiv degrees, equivalent to the Th.M. Dallas Seminary offers an STM for students who have already earned an MDiv from another school.

It's confusing, for sure.

 

Scholarships are definitely available. I can attest to that because I was once considering this program, and I was told that directly.

Dr. John Hurtgen is one of the most accessible professors I've ever met. In fact, I corresponded with several professors and found them all helpful.

I really like this degree program; I might yet pursue it.