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Master of Theology
Aims of the Program
THE MASTER OF THEOLOGY (THM) IS DESIGNED FOR PERSONS ALREADY HOLDING THE MDIV DEGREE OR ITS EQUIVALENT WHO WISH TO DEEPEN THEIR MASTERY OF ONE AREA OR DISCIPLINE OF THEOLOGICAL STUDY THROUGH REFLECTION, RESEARCH, AND WRITING FOR THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH.
Components of the Program
Students must earn at least 12 credit hours, in addition to the 18 credit hours for the ThM thesis preparation (reading and writing) in the area of specialization.
ThM students participate in an intensive one-week Research Seminar in the late summer and a one semester writing colloquium in the spring with other students in the program. The intensive late summer session focuses on research methods, and the fall focuses on research and the beginning of thesis writing. During the spring semester, students present and discuss work they are doing on their thesis. Students complete a ThM thesis. The thesis is worth 12 semester hours of credit, 3 credit hours for focused reading and research, 3 credit hours for writing a literature review and 6 credit hours for writing the thesis. The progress of the writing and the provisional and final approval of the thesis are overseen by the student’s advisor and the ThM director in consultation with the Academic Affairs Office.
The distinctive element of Columbia’s ThM program is the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors in research of mutual interest. Students may pursue the degree in one of two formats: either in a one-year full time residential version or a twoyear part time online version. Note: the two-year part time version of the degree does require an initial one-week orientation and research methods seminar held on campus in August. In either format, the degree includes coursework in relevant curricular areas; a seminar in research methods; close work with a faculty mentor; the production of a publishable research thesis project; and, by application to the faculty, the opportunity to serve as a research or teaching assistant.
Once the student has concluded the degree program, the student is expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced research methodology and scholarship in the production of a thesis. 2. Demonstrate an academic understanding in a focused area of study. 3. Demonstrate competency in teaching in a specific field of study in the case of students accepted for teaching assistantships.
These are the student learning outcomes for the Master of Theology degree program.
FULL TIME RESIDENTIAL FORMAT:
FALL TERM
• ThM Research Seminar (one week, on campus, in mid-August 3 credits) • Thesis research (3 credits) • Literature review (3 credits) • 2 electives (6 credits)
JANUARY TERM
• 1 elective (3 credits)
SPRING TERM
• Thesis writing (6 credits) • 1 elective (3 credits) • ThM colloquium (3-5 days, held in late April, 3 credits)
PART TIME ONLINE FORMAT:
FALL TERM, YEAR ONE
• ThM Research Seminar (one week, on campus, in mid-August, 3 credits) • Thesis research (3 credits) • One elective (3 credits)
JANUARY TERM, YEAR ONE
• One elective (3 credits)—optional.
SPRING TERM, YEAR ONE
• Thesis research (3 credits) • One elective (3 credits)
FALL TERM, YEAR TWO
• Literature Review (3 credits) • One elective (3 credits)
JANUARY TERM, YEAR TWO
• One elective (3 credits)—optional if a course wasn’t taken the previous year. Note: This elective could also be taken in the summer between the first and second year or even during the spring semester of the first year or the fall semester of the second.
SPRING TERM, YEAR TWO
• Thesis writing (3 credits) • ThM Colloquium (3-5 days, held in late April, 3 credits)
Requirements for the Master of Theology Degree
To be eligible for graduation with the ThM degree, students are required to: • Have on file with the seminary a complete and official transcript of credits showing graduation with the MDiv degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution, a completed health form, and standardized test results; • Satisfactorily complete all the requirements of the degree with a total of 30 credit hours (at the advanced level) within two years of the date of matriculation, 18 of which must be completed at
Columbia (excluding cross-registration courses); • Complete a ThM thesis; • Complete the ThM Research Seminar; • Be in residence for at least two long terms (residency is defined as enrollment as a degree- seeking student and registered for classes); • Maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00; • Demonstrate to the faculty that they have sustained a sound moral and religious character in seminary life and give promise of useful service in the ministry or other church vocations; and • Pay all bills to the seminary and give assurance that all open accounts in the community and elsewhere have been satisfied. Students with education loans must agree to make prompt and regular payments.
Admission to the ThM program requires a Master of Divinity or master’s level equivalent from an Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and/or regionally accredited college, university, or theological institution with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students who have completed a Master of Divinity with high academic standing who are interested in further graduate study are strongly encouraged to apply.
Offers of admission to the ThM program are made on a rolling basis beginning no later than February 15 and ending June 30. The priority deadline for admission to the ThM program is February 15. Applications that are completed by February 15 will receive an admission and financial aid decision by March 15. Applications received after February 15 will be considered for scholarships as funds are available. In order to enroll at the Seminary in the fall semester, applications must be completed by June 15.
Students who are unable to matriculate during the semester for which they were admitted may defer their admissions decision for up to one academic year. Deferral requests must be submitted in writing to admissions@ctsnet.edu. Incomplete applications and/or admitted students that do not matriculate and do not submit a deferral request will be administratively withdrawn from the admissions process with Columbia retaining application materials for at least one academic year. After one academic year, applicants may be required to submit new application materials to be considered for admission.
Application Requirements
The application process in entirely online. Applicants can apply by visiting https://ctsnet.edu/apply.
To be considered for admission to the ThM program, an applicant must submit to the admissions office the following materials: • Online application for admission • $50 nonrefundable application fee • Resume / CV • Statement of Purpose: three – four pages, typed, double-spaced intellectual biography that clearly outlines the applicant’s academic interests and how they have developed. The statement should also include the applicant’s primary area(s) of interests and key problems, questions, theories, interlocutors, historical periods, and movements associated with the applicant’s intended research. The statement should also include information about applicant’s academic trajectory and goals. • Plan of Study: one – two pages, typed, double- spaced that identifies their area of concentration and clearly outlines the applicant’s plan for achieving their research goals within the ThM program. The Plan of Study should also include a student’s area of research, courses they plan to take, and faculty with whom they hope to work. • Academic Writing Sample: this should be a recent sample of the applicant’s writing that clearly demonstrates ability to write and critically
engage an argument. Recent is defined as having been written in the last 3-5 years. If a recent sample is not available, the applicant may choose to submit an alternative writing assignment for which a prompt can be found online. Students seeking guidance concerning the academic writing sample or alternate writing assignment should email admissions@ctsnet.edu. • Official Transcript(s): applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, and graduate schools attended by the applicant for at least one course whether or not a degree was granted. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to Columbia
Theological Seminary. If an applicant is currently enrolled in a degree program, the applicant should send an official transcript that includes all work to-date. Such applicants will be admitted provisionally contingent upon receipt of the final transcript post-graduation. • Three Letters of Recommendation: recommendations may be academic, pastoral, or professional. At least two letters of recommendation must be academic.
Additional Requirements
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | TOEFL REQUIREMENT
English Language Learners (ELL) and persons whose first language is not English are required to submit recent test scores, ordinarily taken within the last two years, from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In most cases, students accepted to Columbia’s first-level master’s degree programs submit a TOEFL score of 84 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT, iBT Home Edition, or Paper-delivered) with a minimum score of 21 in each of the skill sections. TOEFL scores should be submitted by TOEFL directly to Columbia (Institutional Code: 5118). All test fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | I-20S AND FINANCIAL CERTIFICATION
All international students are required to complete Columbia’s financial certification process upon
admission and prior to applying for a visa. The process will ensure the student has adequate financial resources to cover tuition, fees, travel, and living expenses for the duration of their study in the United States. The I-20 will not be issued until the financial certification process has been completed. For fall enrollment, the certification process must take place by May 30 for those living abroad, and no later than June 30 for those currently in the United States who are transferring from another institution.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
International students will automatically be billed for health insurance unless they can meet the insurance requirements outlined by the seminary with an alternative provider.
TRANSFER STUDENTS | LETTER OF GOOD STANDING
Students transferring from another seminary or graduate school are required to submit a letter of good standing that certifies the student will leave their current school in good standing with the institution – academic, financial, and otherwise.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
After admission and prior to enrollment, all admitted students must complete a background check that will be conducted via a Columbia-approved third-party. All admissions decisions are contingent upon the successful completion of the criminal background check.
ADMISSIONS DEPOSIT
A nonrefundable admissions deposit of $250 is required of all students enrolling at Columbia Theological Seminary. The deposit is due within thirty (30) days of a student’s admission decision and no later than July 30, in order to confirm the student’s place in the program.
GRE TEST SCORES
The Columbia Admissions Office welcomes the submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores. However, this is not required to be considered for admission.
Transfer of Credit
In planning the student’s program with their advisor or the ThM program director, a student may request the transfer of limited credit for work done prior to entry or at another institution while enrolled in the ThM program at Columbia. Ordinarily, the number of hours of transfer credit will be limited to three semester hours, or the equivalent of one elective course at Columbia. The work must have been done at a comparable graduate level within the last five years. A grade of B or better must have been earned for the course. The student must be able to show that the work is relevant to the ThM program and that the coursework was not credited toward a degree which was received. Final approval regarding transfer of credit resides with the Office of Academic Affairs.
TITLE IX TRAINING BY EVERFI
All admitted students are required to complete an online Title IX training provided by Columbia prior to matriculation. The training will familiarize students with matters related to Title IX, sexual misconduct, and reporting.
Master of Theology
The Master of Theology (ThM) degree is designed for persons already holding the MDiv degree or its equivalent who wish to deepen their mastery of one area or discipline of theological study through reflection, research, and writing for the service of the Church.
COMPONENTS OF THE CURRICULUM
Students pursue a one-year course of full-time study that includes: · Coursework in relevant areas · A seminar in research methods · Close work with faculty · Production of a publishable research project · By application to the faculty, the opportunity to serve as a research or teaching assistant
Thesis Preparation
5 COURSES · 15 CREDITS
SUMMER INTENSIVE
· One-week Research Seminar (3 credits)
FALL TERM
· Thesis research (3 credits) · Literature Review (3 credits)
SPRING TERM
· Thesis writing (3 credits) · ThM colloquium (3 credits)
Area of Specialization
15 CREDITS Columbia’s ThM program allows students to work closely with faculty mentors in research of mutual interest.
FALL TERM
· 2 electives (6 credits)
JANUARY TERM
· 1 elective (3 credits)
SPRING TERM
· 2 elective (6 credits)
TOTAL: 30 CREDITS
As an accredited theological school of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we engage students with some of the best faculty anywhere! We host a large table for people from all denominations and backgrounds. For full descriptions of our graduate degree programs and academics, please visit our website, CTSnet.edu.
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