Approved Degrees Offered by Member Schools
Degree programs approved by the Board of Commissioners are post-baccalaureate and fall into several groups. It should be noted that these categories are not mutually exclusive and that there is some natural overlapping among them. Programs at the level of the first graduate theological degree are of two main kinds: (1) some are oriented primarily toward ministerial leadership and (2) some toward general theological studies. Programs at the advanced level, normally presupposing a first theological degree, are of two main kinds: (1) those that focus upon advanced ministerial leadership and (2) those directed primarily toward theological research and teaching.
Basic Programs Oriented Toward Ministerial Leadership
The following degree nomenclature is included among these kinds of curricular programs: Master of Divinity; Master of Arts in Religious Education/Master of Religious Education; Master of Arts in ____________ (e.g., Counseling); Master of Sacred Music/Master of Church Music. Curricula for programs oriented toward ministerial leadership have certain closely integrated, common features.
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Basic Programs Oriented Toward General Theological Studies
Degrees of this kind are offered with the following nomenclature: Master of Arts; Master of Arts (Religion); Master of Theological Studies. First graduate theological degrees in basic programs oriented toward general theological studies have in common the purpose of providing understanding in theological disciplines. They are intended as the basis for further graduate study or for other educational purposes.
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Advanced Programs Oriented Toward Ministerial Leadership
Degrees offered in this broad category have the following nomenclature: Doctor of Ministry; Doctor of Missiology; Doctor of Education; Doctor of Musical Arts. Advanced programs in ministerial leadership presuppose a basic theological degree. All are designed to deepen the basic knowledge and skill in ministry so that students may engage in ministry with increasing professional, intellectual, and spiritual integrity.
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Advanced Programs Primarily Oriented Toward Theological Research and Teaching
The nomenclature for advanced masters' degrees includes the Master of Theology and Master of Sacred Theology. The nomenclature for doctoral degrees oriented to research and teaching includes the Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Theology. These programs oriented toward theological research and teaching presuppose a basic postbaccaluareate theological degree and permit students to concentrate in one or more of the theological disciplines.
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The Board of Commissioners approves degree programs offered by accredited schools. There are two types of degree approval: ongoing and preliminary. Initial approval of a degree program is designated as preliminary approval. This designation is recognized by the Board of Commissioners as a formally approved status. After a degree program has been offered for a sufficient period of time to permit extended evaluation, usually requiring the completion of all degree requirements by at least one group of stuents, the institution shall seek ongoing approval. Unless the designation (preliminary) appears following the school name, the degree has received ongonig approval from the Board of Commissioners.
When institutions offer complete degree programs at more than one location, the degrees are approved for each site at which the institution offers them in full. Because the Board of Commissioners does not approve degree programs of Candidates for Accredited Membership, the degree programs of those schools are not listed. |
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