Master of Theology, Th.M.

The purpose of the Seminary’s Master of Theology degree program is to provide the post-M.Div. student with an opportunity for advanced guided research under the supervision of a faculty member in a special area of theological study. Some students choose this program to enhance their academic qualifications for post-graduate or doctoral studies. Other students choose this program primarily to extend their preparation for ministry in a local church, on the mission field, or in other positions of denominational service. The Th.M. is designed to build leaders through personal mentoring by the faculty and by advanced study.

While the ThM program is designed as a residential program, some students choose to complete their degree program as non-residents. 12 of the 24 hours in the ThM program are reading and research oriented classes that do not require traditional classroom meetings. Although it is contingent upon course offerings, the remaining 12 hours in the ThM program can possibly be completed in a modified residency format. This would include enrolling in hybrid classes, inter-term classes, extension center classes, and/or online classes (note that up to 6 hours in the ThM program may be taken in online classes). Since the availability of modified residency courses varies across academic disciplines, students interested in completing the ThM program as non-residents are very strongly encouraged to speak with their prospective major professor about this possibility before enrolling in the ThM program. Southeastern does not guarantee the possibility of completing the ThM degree in a modified or non-residential format.

Each Th.M. student must select a Major Field of study (Biblical Studies, Theological Studies, or Applied Theology). Within the field of Biblical Studies students may specialize in Old Testament or New Testament. Within the field of Theological Studies students may specialize in Theology, Philosophy, Church History, or Christian Ethics. Within the field of Applied Theology students may specialize in Preaching, Evangelism, Missions, or Biblical Counseling. Students should be aware that elective course offerings may be limited with various disciplines.

The Th.M. Program has a regular and a thesis option. Admission requirements and the degree hours are the same for both options; however, the coursework differs. Students should consult with their potential Major Professor and/or the Director of the Th.M. program to determine which option best meets their academic goals.

Admission Requirements

Graduates of accredited colleges, universities, and seminaries who have earned the M.Div. degree or graduate theological degree with equivalent theological background may apply for admission to the program of studies leading to the Master of Theology degree.

Admission to this program requires facility with both biblical Greek and Hebrew. Facility is defined as transcript evidence of six hours of coursework of each language at a Master’s degree level. Students may request the substitution of an ancillary research language (i.e., German, Aramaic, etc.) for either Greek or Hebrew (but not for both) during the admission process. However, substitutions are rare will only be granted for research specific reasons.

M.Div. graduates from Southeastern will follow a simplified admissions procedure. Information regarding the simplified admission process, as well as simplified application forms, is available in the Admissions Office. Applications from non-Southeastern graduates will follow the steps below. Applications for admission to the Th.M. program should be made at least 60 days prior to matriculation.

Admission to the Th.M. program is based upon the following application elements: 

1. A completed set of application forms, including the Church Recommendation form, Personal Statement, Spouse’s Personal Statement, Divorce form, Medical History, Immunization Record, and Th.M. Application form (and application fee). Applicants must also sign a copy of the “Southeastern Covenant.”
2. A transcript showing the satisfactory completion of the Master of Divinity degree or graduate theological degree with equivalent theological background, with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all Master’s level work is required for admission into the Th.M. program.
3. Official transcripts are required from all graduate and undergraduate studies. Note that Southeastern students should already have these transcripts on file.
4. Transcript or other evidence of satisfactory completion of all language requirements as described above.
5. Five references (non-family): 1 pastor; 2 personal character references; 2 academic (at least one from the field of desired specialization, but not from a prospective Major Professor).
6. A graded research paper from the M.Div. program or an equivalent demonstration of research skills and scholarly writing ability is required.
7. Students for whom English is a second language should have a minimum TOEFL score of 100 (for the internet-based TOEFL) or 600 (for the paper based TOEFL). TOEFL scores must be less than 24 months old to be considered valid by the Seminary.
8. Applicants must complete a Major Professor Request Form in which they designate a possible Major Professor and summarize their interest in the field concentration and their scholarly preparation for their desired specialization. Applicants may be approved only if there is a Major Professor available who agrees to work with the student in the desired discipline of major concentration. Applicants are required to meet with the desired Major Professor, in person, by phone, or other means, in order to discuss the student’s academic interests and planned course of study before completing the Major Professor Request Form.

The applicant must waive all rights to privileged knowledge of the decision making process leading toward admission. All references and other evaluative documents will be confidential. The decision of the Admissions Office regarding a student’s application to the Th.M. program, acting officially on behalf of the faculty, should be considered as final. However, an applicant who fails to be admitted may re-apply with the same application materials for the following year. A third application requires a complete update of all application materials.