Master of Theology (Th.M.) Program
Program
Objectives
The Master of Theology (Th.M.) is an advanced research-oriented program
intended for persons who desire further graduate work in biblical, theological and ministerial studies. For some, this program provides the occasion for improving their preparation for Ph.D. studies. For others, the Th.M. offers a unique opportunity to enhance their theological and ministerial preparation for service in the local church, the mission field, or other areas of leadership.
The Th.M. program encourages a high level of academic engagement and provides students with opportunities to be actively involved in class sessions through researching, writing and presenting papers that contribute significantly to courses. The program also emphasizes the integration of all six theological disciplines: exegetical theology, biblical theology, systematic theology, historical theology, philosophical theology, and practical theology.
To facilitate a high level of interaction among students and to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, students will take at least one-half of their coursework in Th.M. Only Seminars; a minimum of five such seminars is required. All students will take the required Th.M. Integration Seminar and the remaining four may be selected from seminars in Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Literature, Systematic Theology, Church History, and Spiritual Formation. The remaining courses are taken as Th.M. electives or as individualized studies. The program is, thus, highly flexible and can be tailored to meet a wide range of individual needs and interests. To receive the greatest benefit from the program, students are encouraged to choose an area of concentration and focus their selection of classes around courses offered in that concentration. The three areas are biblical studies, theological studies, and ministerial studies.
Many other components go into making Western’s Th.M. program one of the finest in the nation:
- Participation at national and regional meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society is encouraged. Our Th.M. students regularly read papers at regional ETS meetings, and some have done so at national ETS meetings.
- Two Th.M. colloquia per year are scheduled, giving students the opportunity
to interact personally with some of the most noted theologians and biblical scholars in the world. Presenters at recent Th.M. colloquia include John Feinberg, Stanley Grenz, Wayne Grudem, Bruce Ware, Robert Peterson, and Edward Fudge. - Graduate fellowships are available at Western, linking Th.M. students and professors in close relationships and providing opportunities for students to teach, grade papers and exams, and carry out research.
- The writing of the Th.M. thesis joins a student with two faculty readers who advise and mentor throughout this research phase of the program.
The director of the Th.M. program is available to help students clarify academic goals, select courses, and complete the registration procedure. A copy of the Th.M. Handbook is available by writing to the director of the Th.M. program at the Seminary.
