Master of Theological Studies

Program of Study: Additional Requirements

Masters Colloquium

The Masters Colloquium is designed both to familiarize M.T.S. students with the methods and content of the five areas of theological study and to develop integrative skills regarding the five areas of theological investigation. Each colloquium is led by a faculty member and a student from one of the five areas, who present a topic of interest to the colloquium, and lead the ensuing seminar discussion. Attendance is mandatory for all M.T.S. students.

Research Language Requirement

All M.T.S. students must pass a Graduate Reading exam in either German or French, hopefully by the end of their third semester, in order to graduate. Students who already know one of these languages upon admission to the program should take the Graduate Reading exam in that language in their first semester, and acquire a second language during their time in the program, in order to pass an exam in that language as well. The University offers Intensive language courses in German and French, free of tuition, every summer, with exams at the end of the course. Students who wish to acquire a language other than French or German during their time in the M.T.S. Program may petition the M.T.S. Director for a substitution, based entirely on their future research interests. This language may not be one they already know upon admission to the program, as the point of this requirement is to continue to acquire language skills while in the M.T.S. program.

Comprehensive Exams

The comprehensive exams are administered toward the end of the final semester of course work. M.T.S. students are asked to submit one research paper within their area of concentration, and one paper written in the area most relevant to their own interests, which indicate the nature and direction of their studies. Students will also submit their Statement of Intent from their applications to Ph.D. programs, and a set of three to five questions which reveal the direction of their theological inquiry. A board of three faculty, appointed by the M.T.S. Director on the basis of course work taken by the student, will administer an oral exam of sixty minutes, which will explore the student's competency in the area of concentration, and the student's ability to think creatively and synthetically.