Additional Degree Requirements
Candidacy
Before students are allowed to enroll in courses beyond a total of 24 units, they must be advanced to candidacy in the Master of Arts in Theological Studies Program. Candidacy is granted by the faculty of C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology after a review of the student’s progress in the program and the successful completion of the core courses and the written core examination (taken after the three core courses are completed). In order to graduate, a student must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Research Paper or Thesis
To receive the Master of Arts in Theological Studies, students must demonstrate the ability to conduct scholarly research and write in their area of concentration. Under the supervision of a faculty member approved by the relevant department chair, in a course of independent study (GBBL/GTHE 570 Directed Research/590 Thesis), the student prepares a major research paper or a thesis which is defended in an oral session before the supervising faculty member and two other faculty members approved by the relevant department chair.
The oral defense may be scheduled after the student has achieved candidacy and is within six units of the completion of coursework and must be accomplished before the degree is awarded. The research paper or thesis must be distributed to the examiners at least two weeks before the date of the oral defense, and a copy must be given to the HGST office to be kept on file.
Time Limit
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies must be completed within eight years from the date of admission. APU coursework completed more than eight years prior to completion of degree requirements is not acceptable toward the degree.
