Master of Theology (D-THM-THM)
Master of Theology
Program Code: D-THM-THM
Degree Designation: Master of Theology
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/thm
Program Summary
The course of study leading to the degree of Master of Theology is designed for graduates of accredited theological schools who desire to continue or resume their theological education for the enhancement of professional competence in selected areas of study. Enrollment in the ThM degree program is open to a limited number of students who have received the MDiv (or the equivalent) with superior academic records.
Through study and engagement within this program, students will be able to:
Enhance a student’s ability to reason and reflect theologically about Christian texts, traditions, and practices in the selected area of study.
Improve skills related to research, critical thinking, and theological argumentation.
Gain clarity on vocational aspirations as they relate to serving the church, academy, and world.
Academic Requirements
Concentration Area (complete any)
Bible: Take at least 4 courses from the following subject codes: NEWTEST, OLDTEST
Theology/Ethics: Take at least 4 courses from the following subject codes: BCS, XTIANETH, XTIANTHE
Church History: Take at least 4 courses from the following subject codes: AMXTIAN, CHURHST, HISTREL, HISTTHEO, WXTIAN
Ministry: Take at least 4 courses from the following subject codes: CHURMIN, LTS, PARISH, PASTCARE, PREACHNG, SPIRIT, XTIANEDU
Additional 4 Courses (complete at least 4 courses from these subrequirements)
Non-Divinity Electives: Take at least 1 non-Divinity elective
Bible, Theology/Ethics, Church History, and Ministry Courses: Take at least 1 course from the following subject codes: AMXTIAN, BCS, CHURHST, CHURMIN, DIVINITY, HISTREL, HISTTHEO, LTS, NEWTEST, OLDTEST, PARISH, PASTCARE, PREACHNG, SPIRIT, WXTIAN, XTIANEDU, XTIANETH, XTIANTHE
Other pre-approved courses may also count
Portfolio
Final Project (complete any)
Comprehensive Exam
Thesis
CGPA greater than or equal to 3.0
The general requirements for the degree of Master of Theology are:
Eight-course units total. At least four of these classes must be taken at the 800 or 900 level with an average grade of B (3.0 average on a 4.0 scale). At least four of the required eight courses must be taken in one of the basic theological disciplines (biblical, historical, theological, or ministerial) that will be designated as the candidate’s major. Normally, no more than two of the student’s courses will be directed studies, including the directed study in which the thesis is written. The directed study may count toward fulfilling the major requirement. Students seeking to take an additional directed study must seek the permission of the ThM director and academic dean;
Superior performance (at least a B-) in a comprehensive examination covering the student’s area of study. The exam consists of four questions formulated by the student’s advisor, in consultation with the ThM director. The questions are designed to require of the student a summary of the issues raised in the student’s coursework. Students may take this exam in an in-class setting or as a take-home exam. The answers to each question are normally 3,000 to 4,000 words, for a total of 12,000 to 16,000 words. The examination will be given at the close of the course of study for the degree, ordinarily in November or April;
As an alternative to the examination, the student may elect to write a thesis, if approved by the ThM director. The thesis must be well researched, clearly written, represent a significant act of intellectual engagement, and normally be 12,000 to 20,000 words (fifty to seventy-five pages), although some projects will necessitate greater length. Artistic projects may be proposed in place of a traditional research paper. However, an artistic project must still include a written description of the theoretical basis for the creative work the student does in another medium. This written description will normally take the same form as the traditional ThM thesis and be at least 10,000 words (forty pages) in length;
Students must submit to the Office of Academic Programs a one-page thesis proposal that includes the thesis title, a brief description of the topic, and a brief preliminary bibliography.
The ThM thesis must be written as a continuation of a directed study. Normally, the thesis is written in the student’s final semester of enrollment. The director of the directed study will ordinarily serve as the thesis supervisor and will grade the thesis. A second reader is required and should be acquired by the beginning of the student’s final semester of enrollment. A final draft of the thesis will be due to the thesis supervisor and second reader no later than noon on the first day of reading week in the semester which the student will graduate;
The ThM thesis defense should take place after the thesis has been submitted (Monday of student’s final reading week) and before the end of the final exam week for the semester in question. If the student is graduating in the summer, the thesis defense should take place prior to August 1. It will typically last about one hour. Those present should include the ThM student, the thesis supervisor, and the second reader. Individuals may participate remotely using video conference or conference calling if needed. The defense may take place on campus or, if agreeable to the student and faculty, may take place at a coffee shop or similar location near campus. Students may invite others to attend the defense if desired. To avoid scheduling difficulties, setting a defense date with the advisor and reader as soon as possible prior to the submission of the thesis is recommended;
Prior to the defense, the supervisor and second reader should provide students with written feedback on the thesis;
During the defense, students have an opportunity to respond to written feedback they have received regarding the thesis. Faculty may pose further critical questions regarding the thesis. In addition, faculty and students should discuss the implications of the thesis for the wider field of study and for the student’s vocation. For example, if a student plans to pursue doctoral work, what are further, related questions the students might explore? How might they build on this research in their doctoral program? If a student is entering or returning to the practice of ministry, how will the work they have done in the thesis shape that ministry? How might they translate this research for a lay audience? What questions remain to be answered/addressed? The tone of the defense should be constructive and not harrowing. Finally, the defense is an occasion to acknowledge the student’s accomplishment. For many ThM students, the thesis is the most significant piece of research they have completed to date. The defense allows an opportunity to celebrate student achievement;
Once the student has defended the thesis, the thesis supervisor should submit by email a one-paragraph narrative summary of the defense to the student and the Office of Academic Programs (divinity.duke.edu/academics). This summary will be included in the student’s record;
ThM students must take all of their enrolled courses for a letter grade. Pass/Fail grading is not available to students in this program;
Residence for one academic year or the equivalent. (Equivalency to be determined by the academic dean); and
There are no general language requirements. However, classical or modern languages may be required for certain programs (for example, in biblical studies, Hebrew or Greek may be required).
A portfolio is to be submitted in the student's final term.
THM students seeking a concentration in pastoral care may reach out to the Office of Vocational Formation for information on Clinical Pastoral Education. A maximum of three-course credits may be granted for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency or supervisory CPE.
Continuation Requirements
The progress of all students is reviewed at the end of every semester by the Academic Policies Committee. The following are the continuation requirements for the ThM degree program:
The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A student who falls below this level is dismissed;
The student must demonstrate progress in the program by completing courses. A student who has two or more unresolved incompletes or a pattern of multiple withdrawals may, at the discretion of the academic dean, be dismissed, placed on an involuntary leave of absence until the incomplete work is resolved, or asked to participate in a limited program;
The minimum time in which the degree can be completed is one academic year (two semesters); a student may take a full calendar year and use the summer to complete degree requirements. Students completing coursework in August will be considered a September graduate and will follow Summer graduation deadlines for all requirements. September graduates with no registration in the Summer term do not have to pay for ThM continuation. Students needing more than twelve months to complete the degree must seek the permission of the ThM director and the academic dean. All other ThM students must complete the degree within two years (four semesters). To be classified as full-time, a student must be enrolled in three or more courses in a semester. To be classified as part-time, a student must be enrolled in two courses in a semester; and
ThM students who have registered for the eight required courses and have completed all coursework except the exam or the thesis must register for course continuation (CONTDIV 500) each fall and spring semester until they complete all the requirements for the program (and pay the accompanying continuation fee).