Graduation Requirements

Postgraduate Seminars

Each student enrolled in the Master of Theology Program is required to take at least two postgraduate seminars (maximum of four) during the resident training. DBTS offers Th.M. seminars in four disciplines: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, and Historical Theology. Each seminar covers a specific area of contemporary relevance within the general discipline. Seminars are offered once each semester on a rotating basis at the option of the Dean. Recent seminars have included:

• CH 750 Seminar in Historical Theology: Pentecostalism
• NT 805 Seminar on Advanced Greek Grammar
• ST 758 Seminar on Philosophy for Theologians
• ST 763 Seminar in Hermeneutics: Use of the OT in the NT
• ST 765 Seminar in Systematic Theology: Eschatology
• ST 766 Seminar in Systematic Theology: Trinitarianism

Course Work

The Th.M. consists of 26 semester hours of postgraduate work. A major may be completed in the field of Old Testament, New Testament, or Theology. The Th.M. curriculum consists of six three-hour content courses, including two postgraduate seminars. Each student must also complete a three-hour reading and research course, and a five-hour capstone project. Students who have not taken their systematic theology at DBTS must take at least two of the three systematic courses.

Capstone Project

The Th.M. project must demonstrate the student’s competence in critical thinking, original research, and proper literary style. It must also show that he has an acceptable understanding of his subject and must be in basic agreement with the doctrinal position of the Seminary. The project must be completed within two years from the finishing of all course work. Students can choose from three options…

• A research thesis of approximately 70 to 100 pages in length
• A ministry research project of approximately 70 to 100 pages in length, focused on the student’s specific ministry context or interest
• An approved article published in a peer-reviewed academic journal

The Dean will appoint two faculty members as a Th.M. committee for each student: a chairman and an advisor/second reader. The Dean serves as an ex officio member of all such committees. A student must file a prospectus with his chairman by November 1 of the school year in which he expects to graduate. The first two chapters are due by January 5, a first draft by March 15, and a final draft by May 1. A total of five credit hours is given for the acceptable completion of the capstone project.

Grade Point Average

A student must achieve a minimum 3.00 grade point average on all course work and thesis in order to graduate.

*Availability of the distance Th.M. may vary depending on one’s state of residence. Please contact the seminary office to see if this is an option for you.