The Master of Theology (Th.M.) is a 30 semester credit hour program, designed to encourage scholarly research for those who desire to add a scholarly dimension to their priestly or ministerial vocations, whether for furthering theological knowledge or in preparation for additional, doctoral work. This program is meant for students who have completed the M.T.S. or equivalent degree.
The Th.M. program is designed to accommodate full-time or part-time enrollment. Average time for completion is three years, but can be completed in two years by taking an average of 6 credits per semester. Students have a maximum of five years to complete their degree.
Program Objectives: ACTS seeks to equip Th.M. students to:
Assess a wide array of sources available for research and writing about the Orthodox tradition.
Design a theological framework using a methodology that is broad-minded and established firmly upon Scripture, the Fathers, and the liturgy of the Coptic Orthodox Tradition
Develop practical ways to use theological research to help improve the state of the church today.
Discuss beliefs and teachings of the Orthodox Church and offer new analysis, research, and evidence to add to contemporary academic discourse.
PREREQUISITES
Students who have not previously completed a graduate-level theological research and writing course must complete WRIT 5001 Introduction to Theological Research and Writing before fully enrolling in the Master of Theology Program. Students who have completed the M.T.S. program with ACTS have demonstrated sufficient proficiency to complete the requisite research, analysis, and writing in the Th.M. program. Acceptance of an equivalent course completed elsewhere is determined during the admission process, based on the equivalency of course objectives.
COURSE SELECTION AND SEQUENCING
In order to best prepare students to complete their chosen thesis, students must select a thesis topic that aligns with a Concentration option below. Students’ Th.M. Advisor will assist students in tailoring course selection, within their chosen concentration and from the listed electives, to align with students’ thesis topic.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students must first complete core course requirements, then take three courses in one concentration. Then, the thesis will be written in the area of concentration under the supervision of the student’s program advisor. It must demonstrate critical understanding, based upon personal research, and constitute an original scholarly contribution. Additional thesis requirement information is below
Some courses are available in more than one category above. Each course taken can only be applied to one program requirement. Any course taken will first be considered for Core course requirements, then concentration requirements, then elective requirements.
Note: Students who previously completed the ACTS Master of Theological Studies degree may not apply any courses completed to Master of Theology degree program requirements. If a Th.M. course requirement was previously taken during the M.T.S. program, a substitute course requirement will be selected by a Th.M. advisor, in alignment with students’ thesis topic.
THESIS REQUIREMENTS:
The thesis will be written in the area of concentration under the supervision of the student’s program advisor. It must demonstrate critical understanding, based upon personal research, and constitute an original scholarly contribution.
When applying into the ThM program, students are required to include a 4-5 prospectus presenting the subject of research, outlining the manner in which the thesis will be developed (as explained above). Upon acceptance into the program, the ThM committee will assign the student an advisor to supervise the thesis. This Th.M. advisor will assist the student in tailoring their course selections to their thesis topic.
The thesis is expected to be 60 to 100 pages in length, but should not exceed 40,000 words, including footnotes/endnotes, appendices, excursus, table of contents, and bibliography. The thesis must follow the guidelines of the Thesis Style Sheet found under the Populi files and ThM Writing Guidelines.
Thesis Submission and Defense. After the advisor has accepted the final version of the thesis, an electronic copy of the thesis (as a PDF file) must be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs by the deadline indicated in the Academic Calendar. The thesis is then evaluated by two readers: the first reader is the student’s thesis advisor, who is a full-time or sessional member of the faculty, and the second is appointed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from among ACTS faculty. The thesis will then be discussed and defended at a special meeting of the faculty, to which competent scholars from other institutions may be invited. These scholars will take part in the final faculty vote to recommend the candidate for the degree.
Students who do not complete their thesis by the thesis submission deadline agreed upon with their advisor, must register for continuation (CTN) and pay the continuation fee in the following semester(s) in order to remain degree candidates. Failure to register for continuation and pay the fee will cause the student to be administratively withdrawn from the degree program. In the event that the student is unable to complete the thesis even with continuation registration(s), the permanent grade W (Withdrawal) will be entered on the student's transcript.