Overview

The Master of Theology degree (ThM) at Tyndale Seminary is an advanced academic program designed to provide students with an opportunity for in-depth study in one of the following disciplines: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology (including Spiritual Theology) or Church History. Students will develop skills in the areas of research methodology, in the engagement of primary sources, in scholarly interchange and debate in a peer learning community, and in the communication of research results for the benefit of the Church and scholarly audiences.

The ThM program is designed to allow students to be mentored closely and rigorously by reputable scholars who exhibit a faith of both the mind and the heart. All ThM students convene regularly for peer support, for the collegial exchange of ideas, and for a public forum once per semester.

The ThM major has a thesis option as well as a non-thesis option. Both options may serve a variety of aims including the scholarly enhancement of ministerial and missional practice, and preparation for some forms of teaching. The thesis option specifically prepares students for further studies at the doctoral level (ThD/PhD). Both options are designed to engender confidence in the Gospel and to prepare students to engage the world through Christian scholarship.

ThM Admission Requirements

• Master of Theological Studies degree or Master of Divinity degree or equivalent. Students with insufficient background may be admitted upon completion of prescribed prerequisites in consultation with the Director. One course in educational ministries is expected.
• Minimum GPA: 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (B+) in Bible, Theology and Church History courses. A TOEFL score of 100 internet-based), 250 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based) is required.
• Advanced courses at the Master’s level in the area of the student’s selected focus.
• Submission of a research-oriented paper that represents an example of the applicant’s academic writing in the proposed major area of study.
• Two letters of academic reference, one of which must be from a professor in the applicant’s chosen area of study.
• Languages Requirements (see below).
• Interview with the ThM program Director.

ThM Language Requirements

A student must demonstrate the language proficiencies as described below:

• A student in New Testament must demonstrate proficiency in two years of Greek upon admission. One year of Hebrew is required before submission of thesis proposal.
• A student in Old Testament must demonstrate proficiency in two years of Hebrew upon admission. One year of Greek is required before submission of thesis proposal.
• A student in Theology or Church History must demonstrate proficiency in one year of Greek, Hebrew or Latin upon admission. Proficiency in a modern foreign language (e.g. German or French) will be required in those cases where it is deemed essential to the research topic.
• For Greek and Hebrew, Tyndale faculty will set an appropriate examination. For Latin or modern languages of scholarship, we have arranged with the Advanced Degree Office at the Toronto School of Theology (TST) for Tyndale ThM students to take the modern language proficiency exams administered by TST. Students would bear the cost of this exam and would also be eligible to take courses in modern languages offered by TST in preparation for this exam.

Notes:

1. Normally students start the program in the fall semester and complete the degree within one to two years of beginning course work. To maintain their status within the program, students are required to take at least one course per year. Students are required to complete the ThM within a maximum of seven years of beginning the program.
2. Normally Advanced Research Methods [INTD 0920]and Interdisciplinary Seminar: Text and Interpretation [INTD 0900] must be completed during the first year of course work.
   
3. All students choosing the thesis option are required to write a thesis stemming from research within their particular major. See the Thesis Handbook for thesis requirements. The thesis is to be completed within one year of completion of the last course. Students who have not completed their thesis within one year of completion of the last course will be required to pay a program continuation fee each year until completion, up to the seven-year program limit. The continuation fee is the equivalent of the tuition for one course, to be levied in the fall or winter semester.
4. Students taking the non-thesis option will write an extended paper of 40-50 pages in one of the courses as that course’s major assignment.

Degree Requirements

ThM Courses (4):

• [INTD 0900] Interdisciplinary Seminar: Text and Interpretation*
• One other ThM Interdisciplinary Seminar
• [INTD 0920] Advanced Research Methods
• OLDT, NEWT, THEO or HIST 0901 Directed Readings
   

Advanced MDiv/MTS/ThM Courses (2)

• Courses in subject area

Thesis (2)

• OLDT, NEWT, THEO or HIST 0911 Thesis Research and Writing

(In lieu of a thesis, students taking the non-thesis option shall take two additional courses in their subject area as approved by the Director)

Total Degree Courses: 8

Notes:
* Students whose subject area is Spiritual Theology may substitute INTD 0930 ThM Interdisciplinary Seminar: Spiritual Theology for INTD 0900: Text and Interpretation.
** Course choices should be made in consultation with the Director.