MASTER
OF THEOLOGY click MTH admission form ........... **Purpose The Master of Theology
Program has the following purpose: 1. To provide specialized training in any field of leadership in the 2. To promote professional
pastoral ministry; 3. To promote theological
research and teaching. These goals are to be achieved within the general framework of the “Guidelines
for Doing Theologies in Admission Requirements Applicants for admission in the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology
must hold a primary theological degree according to standards of the
Association for Theological Education in Normally, applicants for entrance into the Some special admission requirements are set for certain fields of study.
Consult the “Programmes of Study” section below. **Application Application forms for admission
could be obtained from any of the following:
In addition to the application forms, the applicants
must submit the following documents to the Area Dean: 1. Two copies
of the official transcript of grades in their primary theological
course; 2. Two recent
passport-size photographs; 3. Two letters
of recommendation: the first
shall be from the seminary from which the candidate was graduated
while the second shall be from a senior official (Bishop, Moderator,
etc) of their denomination. (note:
these letters are to be sent directly to the Area Dean by the authorities
concerned, not by applicants); 4. A copy
of a recent and complete physical examination (including chest x-ray
result); 5. ** A Certificate
of English language competency:
6. A letter outlining the reason they wish
to study in the SEAGST M.Theol. program. 7. An application
fee of US$ 30 or its equivalent in local currency if the applicant
comes from the Area in which they want to study or an application
fee of US$ 50 if the applicant wishes to study in another Area of
the SEAGST. The Area Dean shall send one copy of all the above
documents, together with a copy of the application form, to the office
of the Associate Dean: ** Entrance Examinations The applicants must demonstrate their potential for graduate
theological study and their competence in the basic disciplines at
the first degree level by passing written examinations lasting a minimum
of three hours. These examinations
are set by the Area Committee:
1.
Not more than half the examination
may be replaced by papers in this matter; i.e., if six disciplines
are examined, no more than three may be replaced by papers.
2.
The Area Committee shall specify
the topics for the papers.
3.
The length of each paper shall be
8-12 pages, sized A4 or 8 1/2 x inches, in double-spaced typescript,
or 12-15 pages, sized A4 or 8 1/2 x 11 inches, long-hand.
4.
The papers must reflect knowledge
of the mechanics of paper writing (e.g. the use of footnotes, bibliography,
etc) as well as the ability to research and organize material.
5.
The candidates shall be given a
maximum of two weeks to write each paper (i.e., if they elect to write
three they will be given a maximum of six weeks to complete them).
The papers must all be submitted by the applicants at the time they
sit for the entrance examination. The entrance examination, including the papers, may be
written in English or the language of instruction where the candidates
plan to study, at the discretion of the Area Committee. Applicants
must pass all the written examinations in one sitting. Enrolment When the Dean/Associate Dean and Area Committee concerned
are satisfied with the fulfilment of the entrance requirement, including
successfully passing the entrance examination, the Dean/Associate
Dean will officially enrol them as a candidate for the M. Theol. degree.
The Area Dean will advise the students as to their residence and work
in the participating schools, and a faculty advisor will be appointed. The students shall be registered in the SEAGST on forms
supplied by the Dean/Associate Dean’s office. One copy of the registration
form will be sent to the Dean/Associate Dean, one copy will be filed
by the Area Dean/Registrar and one copy will be retained by the school
where the students are in residence. Their academic record will be
kept by the Area Registrar on forms supplied by the Dean/Associate
Dean’s office. Note: Grades are to be recorded at the end of each
semester by the Area Registrars, and the Registrars are to submit
to the Dean/Associate Dean’s office in August of each year full transcripts
of grades for all graduate students in their respective Areas. ** Program of Study The M.Theol. program of study consists of study in eight courses and individual
research, resulting in a thesis. Three areas of concentration are
from the candidate’s field and one area of concentration is from another
field chosen by the candidate. ** Within the first three months of the study program, the candidates shall
submit the subject or subjects for their thesis to the Area Dean for
approval by the Area Committee. A tentative outline and bibliography
shall be submitted for approval before the comprehensive examination Work in the areas of concentration may be by tutorials, lectures, or seminars.
Not more than one third of the work may involve participation in lecture
courses at the undergraduate level (B.D., M.Div.), with the understanding
that extra assignments in addition to the regular work of the course
will be required, and that the course is not a repetition of any course
previously taken. In some cases, the whole study program may be coordinated around the thesis. The candidates’ advisor will work out a detailed program of study including
a time table. This program should be submitted to the Area Dean not
less than one month after the candidates have begun their work. The
advisor will make periodic reports on the candidate’s progress to
the Area Dean. The study program is designed to allow completion in a minimum of 15 months
of full time study of at least 48 hours per week. (A fulltime student
is one who may not hold a salaried or non-salaried position concurrent
with his/her study program). One academic year is for study in the
area of concentration, and the balance for individual research and
writing. This does not include work on prerequisites, or time required
for reading the thesis. ** Evaluation of work will be on the following basis:
An average grade of B is required for work in the areas of concentration. The faculty member responsible for instruction in the field of concentration
will evaluate work done. Comprehensive Examination After completion of study in the areas of concentration, the candidates
shall sit for a comprehensive examination. The purpose of this examination
is to test the candidates’ ability to integrate what they have studied
and to relate it to an Asian setting. The time allowed for this examination
is two periods of three hours each, or a total of six hours. The questions
will be set by the advisor in consultation with others involved in
the student's program of study with the approval of the Area Dean. ** Evaluation of the Comprehensive Examination Three examiners will read the comprehensive examination – the advisor,
one from the Area named by the Area Dean with concurrence of the Area
Committee, and third named by the Graduate School Dean/Associate Dean.
Examiners will send their evaluation directly to the Graduate School
Dean/Associate Dean, who will communicate the result to the Area Dean. A grade of B is the requirement in the comprehensive examination or papers.
In the event that the candidates do not achieve the required
grade of work in the comprehensive examination or papers, the Dean/Associate
Dean of the ** Recording of Grades Grades for work in areas of concentration, general examination, and individual
research/thesis will be recorded by the Area Registrar in the candidates’
individual record and a copy sent to the office Dean/Associate Dean
of the Candidates for the M.Theol who believe that their grade in a permanent
academic record of a particular course does not fairly reflect the
work done in that course, may appeal to the Area Dean to have that
work re-evaluated. The Area Dean may himself/herself reject the appeal
if no injustice has been done. If he/she is uncertain or prefers not
to take this course, he/she shall appoint two other qualified persons
and request them and the examining professor each to evaluate him/her
and send the evaluation directly to the Area Dean. The Area Dean shall
then assign a grade in accordance with the majority decision and this
grade shall be final. Individual Research/Thesis An advisor, assigned by the Area Dean, shall guide the candidate's research. Individual research involves gathering and analysis of data, drawing conclusions
on the basis of the data, and where appropriate, presenting recommendations
and proposals. The competency of the candidates is shown both in the
research and the presentation of the results of the research in a
written thesis. Research results will be presented in the form of a thesis of at least
70 pages of text or a maximum of 150 pages on a single subject: (a)
demonstrating mastery of a single subject, or (b) presenting the results
of original research in written form. The thesis shall be typed on good quality white paper sized A4 or 8 1/2
x 11 inches. The format shall conform to that set forth in The Manual for Thesis Writing
of the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology. Where necessary,
the format may be adapted for use with a language other than English.
All materials shall be written in an acceptable expository style. The thesis may be written in English, a national language, or other languages
approved by the Area Committee. See The Manual for Thesis Writing of the SEAGST. The thesis shall contain a page with the signatures of the three readers
before the title page, and abstract of not more than 600 words in
English, and the curriculum vitae of the candidate, also in English,
following the bibliography. When the advisor is satisfied with the content, style and format of the
thesis, it will be submit to two additional readers for approval and
evaluation, at least three months before the anticipated time when
the degree will be awarded. One additional reader will be named by
the Area Dean from the Area faculty. The other will be named by the
Graduate School Dean/Associate Dean from outside the Area. The signatures
of all three readers indicating approval of the final draft shall
appear in the thesis. The readers will give their evaluation (A or
B) to the Area Dean for entry in the candidates’ record. An oral examination
on the thesis may be arranged by the Area Committee as appropriate. One bound copy each of thesis and a CD of the thesis, as finally approved,
shall be deposited in the library of the Abstracts may be published in The
Asia Journal of Theology. Time Limitation A maximum of two years is allowed for full-time scholarship students to
complete all this work on the M.Theol degree. A maximum of four years is allowed part-time students for completion of
all work for the M.Theol degree. Full-time or part-time students may
apply to the Area Committee for a one-year extension of their course,
which if granted, shall be without financial aid. **Reactivation of Residency Students who have been dropped from the program because of unfinished work
may apply for reactivation of residency. The application process includes
the following: 1. Filling out application forms again and
getting the application approved by the Area and the Dean/Associate
Dean of the SEAGST; 2. Evaluation by the Area of work already
done for credit in the light of the student's ’ new intention and
the SEAGST curriculum in operation; 3. Re-evaluation of the Thesis proposal the
Area Committee. No candidates who have been reactivated are eligible for scholarship unless
authorized by the Senate. Awarding of the Degree When the Area Committee is satisfied that the candidates have completed
all the required work for the Master of Theology degree, it shall
report that fact to the Senate which shall in turn recommend to the
Board of Governors the awarding of the degree. The degree shall be
conferred at the commencement exercise in one of the participating
institutions in the Area, usually the institution in which the candidates
have done most of their work. The Dean of the SEAGST or the SEAGST
Dean’s designated representative shall confer the degree. The diploma
shall carry the citation, “conferred by the South East Asia Graduate
School of Theology.” FEES, OTHER EXPENSES, AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE Fees: 1. Application fee (from within the region):
US$30 2. Application fee (from outside the region):
US$50 3. Room and board fee, at the rate charged
by the school of study. 4. Tuition and other school fees at the rate
charged by the school of study. 5. Medical care fee at the rate charged by
the school of study. 6. Graduation Fee: US$40 Other Expenses: 1. Book purchases of US$150. 2. Pocket money, as estimated by the school
of study. 3. Travel to the school of study and return. 4. Board and lodging expense during vacation
periods. 5. Travel related to study. 6. Family support. 7. Special expenses. Budget: Before applicants are admitted they must submit a budget, giving anticipated
expenses and income from church, denominational scholarship program,
personal salary, family incomes, relatives, etc. This statement may
include a request for scholarship assistance from the SEAGST. The
Area Committee must approve the statement as financially viable. The SEAGST Scholarship Assistance: A limited amount of scholarship assistance in the form of grants is available
according to the following criteria:
1.
In no case will the grant cover all the expenses of an
applicant.
2.
Full-time students are eligible for aid covering room,
board, tuition, books and travel to the school of study.
3.
Part-time students may apply for aid for book purchases.
4.
An applicant from outside the South East Asia Region
is not eligible to receive financial assistance.
5.
When the Area Committee has examined the financial situation
of the applicants, it will forward any request to the Graduate School
Dean/Associate Dean with its recommendation. The final decision is
made by the Graduate School Dean/Associate Dean, taking into account
available resources, and the relative needs of all applicants.
6.
Grants are made for a 15 month period. If the Area Committee
requests a continuation of the grant, a report on the progress of
the study program of the candidate must accompany the request. In
no case will a grant be made for more than a total of two years. A Personalized Approach Deliberately different from other normal course descriptions, the SEAGST
has adopted a personalized approach to the fields of study. All our
M.Theol. candidates are encouraged to use the general description
of the fields of study to tailor their study to meet their contextual
needs. The syllabus is not modular. M. Theol. candidates do not build up credits
by doing a little of this and a little of that. Rather, they use the
general description of their field of study to do in-depth research.
The research, general examination, and thesis are all integrally related,
to enable M. Theol. candidates to teach in a seminary and/or ** to
be able to translate theology into action in an ecclesial institution. FIELDS OF STUDY As the operation of M.Theol. program has
been assigned to the Areas, it is understood that the Areas have the
flexibility to interpret the
fields and courses listed below under the prescribed areas of concentration
according to their contextual needs. The following fields with prescribed areas of concentration have been approved
by the Senate and offered by participating schools as faculty and
library resources permit. All candidates are required to complete eight courses and individual research,
resulting in a thesis. Among the eight, one course is organized at
the area level on methodology along with introduction of the guiding
principals for doing theology in Classes shall be offered as a combination of integrated seminars, lectures
and tutorials. Each course should meet at least thirty hours. Not
more than one third of the work may involve participation in lecture
courses at the undergraduate level (B.D., M.Div.), with the understanding
that extra assignments in addition to the regular work of the course
will be required, and that the course is not a repetition of any course
previously taken. Each course will attempt to introduce the candidate to the current discourse
in the specific area of study while maintaining the general critical
guidelines that the SEAGST approves as its guiding principle. At the
Masters level, a candidate is expected to do a careful study of at
least 10 books for each course. Evaluation of a course shall be done on the strength of at least one research
paper of 4,000 to 6,000 words, and one book review, along with seminar
presentations. I. BIBLE
AND INTERPRETATIONS Prerequisites: Knowledge of the respective language within the area of concentration of
the candidate is required. For example,
if the candidate is working in the area of Old Testament, knowledge
of Biblical Hebrew for exegesis and a working knowledge of New Testament
Greek are required. If the candidate is working in the area of New
Testament, knowledge of New Testament Greek sufficient for exegesis
and a working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew are required. For a candidate
pursuing a comparative study of a text from Old Testament and a text
from an Asian religion, the requirements are to have knowledge of
Hebrew and the respective languages in which the scripture/text of
that religion is written.
Areas of Concentration A.
OLD TESTAMENT Required courses:
1.
Methodology course offered by the Region or Area
2.
Old Testament literature, canon and text
3.
Sociology of Ancient Israel / Theology of Old Testament
from the perspective of the marginalized
4.
Reading Old Testament through the eyes of Asians / Comparative
reading of Old Testament and an Asian religious text
5.
Elective in consultation with the advisor
6.
Elective in consultation with the advisor
7.
Topic selected from another field
8.
Topic selected from another field B. NEW TESTAMENT
Required Courses: |