The ThM provides advanced training for students holding an MDiv and may be pursued via one of two tracks. MDiv alumni of Covenant Seminary who are in full-time ministry or otherwise unable to study in residency may do the ThM in a modular format through a combination of weeklong on-campus visits and advisor-guided independent studies.
The ThM in Exegetical Theology helps pastors, missionaries, and teachers sharpen exegetical skills as well as develop research skills and test a calling to further study; it requires a thesis.
The ThM in Biblical and Pastoral Theology is a more flexible and pastorally oriented program including course work in both the biblical and practical disciplines; students complete a contextualized writing project instead of a thesis as part of this program.
Either program may be completed in as little as one year, although students writing a thesis will need additional time.
See the ThM Program Overview.
Distinctives of the ThM
Covenant Seminary’s ThM program gives students the opportunity for advanced, directed study. Students may use this opportunity to explore the possibility of further study, to wrestle with doctrines or issues of faith, or to hone ministry skills.
Thesis
The Th.M. in Exegetical Theology program typically requires a thesis (6 units). (In special circumstances a student may undertake a comprehensive exam in lieu of the thesis.) This thesis serves to develop and strengthen research and writing skills as well as provide the student with a writing project that can be submitted with doctoral applications. Students in the Biblical and Pastoral Theology track are required to do a writing project that focuses on a practical aspect of Christian ministry (3 units).
Program Requirements
The ThM requires satisfactory completion of 30 units as outlined in the curriculum with grades of A or B and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.1. The MDiv degree (including Hebrew and Greek) or its educational equivalent (at least 72 credit hours) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the ThM program. Our ThM program is exegetically weighted and students are unlikely to succeed without this level of preparation.
Modular ThM Program
The modular Master of Theology (ThM) program is structured to allow Covenant Seminary MDiv alumni in full-time ministry, or otherwise unable to study in residency, to pursue a ThM from a distance. Students in this program are able to complete the degree through a combination of intensive week-long on-campus residencies and adviser-guided independent studies.
Students in the Exegetical Theology track must complete 12 hours of the ThM program through on-campus, week-long, intensive seminars. The remaining 18 hours can be completed off-campus through a combination of adviser-guided independent studies (12 hours) and a thesis (6 hours). Students in the Biblical and Pastoral Theology track must complete 15 hours of the ThM program through on-campus, weekend or week-long intensive seminars. (This will normally include nine hours of Practical Theology credits.) The remaining 15 hours can be completed off campus through a combination of adviser-guided independent studies (12 hours) and a contextualized writing project ( 3 hours).
ThM Program Overview
ThM in Exegetical Theology – Sequence of Required Courses
First Year | SUMMER | FALL | JAN-TERM | SPRING | ||
| ST700 | Advanced Hermeneutics | 3 | ||||
| OT700 | Grad Seminar in OT | 3 | ||||
| Exegetical Elective# | 3 | |||||
| Electives | 4 | |||||
| Electives | 2 | |||||
| NT700 | Grad Seminar in NT | 3 | ||||
| TM897 | Thesis Supervision I* | 0 (3) | ||||
| Electives# | 3 | |||||
| TOTAL HOURS: 21 (24) | 3 | 10 | 2 | 6 (9) | ||
Summer | SUMMER | FALL | JAN-TERM | SPRING | ||
| OT710 | Adv. Studies in Biblical Theology | 3 | ||||
| TM898 | Thesis Supervision II* | 0 (3) | ||||
| TOTAL HOURS: 3 (6) | 3 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Summary of Degree Requirements
Curriculum Hours:24 (12 core hours; 3 exegetical elective hours, 9 unrestricted hours)
Thesis Hours:6 (awarded upon successful thesis completion)
* Students must have thesis topic approval prior to registering for TM897 Thesis Supervision I. TM897 Thesis Supervision I and TM898 Thesis Supervision II each bill 3 hours of tuition but includes no credit hours. TM899 Thesis Completion awards 6 hours of credit but charges no tuition.
# 3 hours must be exegetical elective hours (600- or 700-level courses not counted toward core requirements.) Electives may be taken in any term.
ThM in Biblical & Pastoral Theology – Sequence of Required Courses
First Year | SUMMER | FALL | JAN-TERM | SPRING | ||
| Bible Elective+ | 4 | |||||
| Practical Theology Elective< | 4 | |||||
| Elective# | 3 | |||||
| Practical Theology Elective< | 2 | |||||
| Philosophy Elective≈ | 3 | |||||
| Bible Elective+ | 5 | |||||
| Practical Theology Elective< | 3 | |||||
| TOTAL HOURS: 24 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 11 | ||
Summer | SUMMER | FALL | JAN-TERM | SPRING | ||
| TM792 | ThM Practicum | 3 | ||||
| TM793 | ThM Contextualized Writing Project | 3 | ||||
| TOTAL HOURS: 3 (6) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Summary of Degree Requirements
Curriculum Hours: 30 credit hours
- 6 core hours
- 9 Bible elective hours
- 3 philosophy elective hours
- 9 practical theology elective hours
- 3 unrestricted hours
+ Bible electives include any courses in New Testament (NT), Old Testament (OT) and Systematic Theology (ST) (500-, 600- or 700-level) which are not counted toward other core requirements.
≈ Philosophy electives must be approved by the ThM Director.
< Practical Theology electives include any courses in Communications (CM), Counseling (CO), Church Planting (CG), Educational Ministries (EM) or Practical Theology (PT) (500-, 600- or 700-level) which are not counted toward other core requirements.
# Electives may be taken in any term.
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