Th.M. Question

Greetings to everyone.

I'm interested in doing a Th.M. or an M.Th. (I assume that these are the same) sometime in the near future. Hoping to do Ph.D. work in theology, I'm looking to this degree as a possible way to bolster the education I already have (M.A. in Old Testament, T.E.D.S., GPA 3.15), and raise my GPA a bit too before applying to Ph.D programs.

Most Th.M.'s want to see a whole M.Div. before taking someone. Honestly, I think my degree was more than an M.Div. in itself. However, the only school I can find that will take my degree for a ThM (not DL) is Fuller T. S.; this would require a move. I also see that RTS has a DL program that I have written to with no answer, and GGBS may also take me, but I would be more interested in going to a school that is not as denominationally specific.

Does anyone know much about getting into a Th.M. such as RTS, or GGBS that is online, or a regular one also? I'm not sure if either would be more possible for me.

As far as I can tell, it would be the best thing for me to get a higher theological degree than what I already have, so I don't prefer going back to do another M.A., for instance, in theology.

Ideas? Help?

 

Golden Gate ThM requirements

Christopher,

Here is what I was told when I asked basically the same question of GGBTS:

Admission to the ThM program does not require an M.Div., but "M.Div. equivalency". The Seminary has stated that "M.Div. equivalency" requires 88 hours and includes the following:
18 hours in Christian Sources and Origins, including the biblical languages, Introduction to Old Testament, Introduction to New Testament, and Hermenutics
16 hours in Christian Life and Thought, including a survey of Christian Theology, Church History, Christian Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion
22 hours in Christian Proclamation and Ministry, including at least one course each in Worship, Evangelism, Missions, Preaching, and Pastoral Care
6 hours in Christian Education and Administration

Essentially, they require an M.Div. This seems to be the case everywhere. If you decide to finish the (I would assume) last 30 hours and get an M.Div. through distance ed, look at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. I have been pleased with the quality, and it is affordable without a second mortgage.

 

Regarding denomination

And one more thing...

Liberty is a Baptist school and they do teach from that perspective. However, they do not require membership in a Baptist church. At the last modular I attended, there were students there from three other denominations. Anyway, isn't Trinity the single denominational seminary of the Evangelical Free Church?

Dave

 

Essentially, they require an M.Div.

Exactly. I have checked with everyone else on this too, as much as possible. What's tough about this for me is my bachelor's degree included so much Bible and Theology that, with my languages training, I would much rather not go back and redo the same courses that I took for the B.A. So I'm kind of stuck because there doesn't seem to be a cost effective wayt to take care of this problem.

You are right about TEDS. I'm really not partial for or against a Baptist school, I'm just looking for something that would be an efficient means to apply for a Ph.D. in theology. I'm not trying to avoid more coursework, just anything superfluous.

I'll check out the M.Div. that you mentioned.

If anyone has any ideas on completing an M.Div. for someone who has a lot of credit from a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology (I think MBC has more than anyone, if I'm not mistaken, something like 60+ credits in Bible alone) then that would definitely be my best option. Most don't have anything close to a liberal transfer policy for an M.Div. But in my case, that would seem to be the best thing. At that point, I could concentrate on electives, etc.

Does anyone know of an M.Div. online that has a liberal transfer policy from bachelor's coursework?

 

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In the USA an MDiv or equivalecy is standard. Likely an ATS requisite. Western took MA, EdDwork as 2/3 and req 30 more for MDiv Equiv then one addl year for thm. My belief is that in UK, Au, and SAfrica this is not the case. Prerequisite at Unizul is ThB. Probably would req a previous thesis being done. One can enter PhD at UZ, but ThD req a ThM!

Suggest you search "Bible colleges in UK which often award grad degrees in conjunction w-Univs. Or search "Univ in SA" etc

Good luck",

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My belief is that in UK, Au, and SAfrica this is not the case. Prerequisite at Unizul is ThB.

Thanks Bill,

Is the Th.B. equivalent of a B.A. in US? Since you are going to UNIZUL, would you reccommend the M.Th? I have written a thesis before, so I could certainly add that in if it is required.

Chris

 

Also, another question for you Bill,

Do you think the M.Th. at Unizul would be a good career move as far as its value in the states? I would love to go on for a Th.D. at Unizul, but would also be interested in pursuing a Th.D. in the states too.

Chris

 

How the school you want to attend would react to a UNIZUL M.Th. I do not know. UNIZUL is a recognized university and the South African education system is respected. Bobby Loubser at UNIZUL seems quite well published and respected in the field. One of the big factors at UNIZUL is cost. A D.Th. is less than 2000 US for the entire program. You might check with them to see if with you MA you could enter into their PhD in Biblical Studies.

North

 

Thank you North. Wow! That's cheap!

I may just do that on applying for Ph.D. work in biblical studies. Of course, the reason for interest in the Th.M. would be to change fields to systematic theology.

I'll continue to look into UNIZUL. Did I understand Bill Grover right that the bible colleges in SA may grant M.Th. credit for B.A. work?

 

I have never heard granting a Mth for BA credit work. Their structure seems to parellel ours.

I would contact UNIZUL and let them know your education and what kind of field you want to pursue your doctorate in and that you are looking for a completely non residential program. Most of the folks on this forum working though UNIZUL are doing a D.th (ThD). One guy is pursuing a PhD (??) combining two departments (IT & Theology).

One way to do this is to go through South Africa Theological Seminary. You can register through them for the UNIZUL degree (your promoter will be from UNIZUL). Dr. Van Rensburg at SATS is extremely helpful (someone mentioned nominating him for Sainthood) and they do all the leg work for you with UNZIUL. Both schools are fairly quick to respond and customer service oriented and you cannot beat the cost.

Good luck!

North

 

Thanks for your help.

Actually, hearing that the school is helpful means the world to me on looking for programs.

I will contact them on the Ph.D. requirements soon. Since it looks like I could choose and combine different emphases, I would be favorable to this program. I havent' looked at much of the DL options that might be available for fear that they would have a kind of pre-set and rigid set of mechanized requirements. The possibilities for doing, at least, some integrative work is very interesting.

Chris

 

Does anyone here know much about London Bible College DL?

 

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No. I think I said the ThM at UZ does not require an Mdiv for entry. The issue will likely be whether you have done a thesis before. If you have, you possibly could enter either ThM or PhD with an MA.

 

Gotcha.

I have done a thesis for my M.A., so I'm sure I would be fine.

I'm more concerned about whether or not the Th.M. @ UZ would lead me further towards my goal. My whole purpose in getting a ThM would be to change fields to systematic theology quickly, and apply for a Ph.D. either doing something integrative or just doing a Sys Thy. Ph.D. It seems to me that the UZ degree is accredited, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to do it with a school in the UK if I'm keeping my options open as to where I'm going to do my Ph.D.
I would expect that the Th.M. from London Bible College would look more effective if I apply to a school here in the states. I realize that both are british degree programs, but something tells me there is a negative stigma with the SA track in the US. Either way, since I'm suspicious, I don't want to do anything that I don't see great promise in.

Does anyone know much inside info. about London Bible College's process for writing a research degree?