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Degree Programs

Master of Divinity

 
A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an approved college/university may apply for the degree of Master of Divinity (M.Div.). The purpose of this program is two-fold: (1) to prepare men/women for the pastoral ministry as a minister and/or a missionary and to equip them to meet ecclesiastical requirements for ordination, (2) to train men/women for gospel ministries of a more specialized sort.
 
The M.Div. is a three-year program within which students must obtain a minimum of 90 credits with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students are allowed to take up to 19 credits per semester. For a higher credit load per semester, students must make a formal petition for the approval by the (academic) dean.

Total Number of Credits for the Degree: The minimum number of credits required for the M.Div. degree is 90. However, we recommend that students take at least a total of 110 credits or more which may be required for further post-graduate programs at other institutions.
                                
Code Major Credits
OT Old Testament 23
NT New Testament 22
ST Systematic Theology 15
HT Historical Theology 10
PT Practical Theology 13
MI Missiology 4
EL Elective 10
Total 97
                   

Master of Theology

 
A student who holds a bachelor’s degree and the Master of Divinity degree, or a first graduate theological degree providing the equivalent theological background, or its educational equivalent, from an approved college/university/seminary may apply for the degree of Master of Theology (Th.M.). The purpose of this program is to further advance the student’s knowledge in a particular field of theological learning, particularly through training and practice in the use of the methods and tools of theological research, and, ultimately, to further his/her preparation for the pastoral or teaching ministry or for more advanced graduate study.
 
AIGS offers the Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree program in Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Practical Theology, and Missiology.
Students must earn 30 credits for the degree (24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis). It is designed as a two-year program in which students can take up to 9 credits per semester and cannot exceed three years. Greek and Hebrew are a prerequisite and do not count toward the degree. For a higher credit load per semester, students must make a formal petition for the approval by the (academic) dean.

Total Number of Credits for the Degree: minimum 30 credits or above
  1. Prerequisites        : Greek (6) and Hebrew (6)
  2. Course Work          : 24 credits
    Major                : 15 to 18 credits
    Non-major            : 9 to 15 credits
  3. Preliminary Examination
  4. Academic Writing     : 2 to 3 credits
  5. Second Language Requirement (German or French)
  6. Thesis               : 6 credits
  7. Oral Examination
 

The Integrated Program Th.M + Ph.D.

 
A student who holds a bachelor’s degree and the Master of Divinity degree, or a first graduate theological degree providing the equivalent theological background, or its educational equivalent, from an approved college/university/seminary may apply for the degree of the integrated program of Th.M. +Ph.D. The purpose of this integrated program is the same as described in the Doctor of Philosophy program (below). Students eligible for this degree program may able to shorten their study period if they successfully pass the supervisor’s evaluation after finishing the first two semesters. If a student does not pass, then he/she would continue his/her study in the
Th.M. program.
 
AIGS offers an integrated Th.M. + Ph.D. degree program in Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, and Missiology for students possessing academic excellence. This program is designed to be completed in 4 calendar years, including summer and winter terms, not counting any leave of absence. Students generally cannot exceed six years including the leave of absence.
 
Students must earn a minimum of 48 credits to obtain the degree. The thesis is a non-credit requirement. Students are recommended to take 6-9 credits per semester, not exceeding 9 credits, and to invest most of their time in thesis research. The modern language requirement is to be completed within 2 years from the initial registration.
 
Students must undergo a mid-evaluation after the completion of two semester courses in which the AIGS Committee would determine whether the student is eligible to transition from the Th.M. to the Ph.D. program, with consideration for his/her advisor’s comments. The evaluation consists of a minimum 3.6 G.P.A., the (academic) dean’s evaluation, and/or the related major professor(s)’ report, and required language skills. In case of failure, the student will be automatically relegated to the Th.M. program.
 
For Old Testament, New Testament and Systematic Theology majors, modern German or French is required. For Historical Theology and Missiology majors, one language can be selected from German, French, Latin or other pertinent modern languages with the approval of the AIGS Committee.
 
Total Number of Credits for the Degree: minimum 48 credits or above
 
  1. Prerequisites    : Greek (6 credits) and Hebrew (6 credits)
  2. Course Work      : 48 credits
    Major            : 33 to 36 credits
    Non-major        : 15 to 21 credits
  3. Mid-evaluation
  4. Academic Writing : 2 to 3 credits
  5. Language Requirement
  6. Comprehensive Examination
  7. Thesis
  8. Oral Examination
 

Doctor of Philosophy

 
A student who holds a bachelor’s degree, the Master of Divinity degree, and the Master of Theology degree, or its educational equivalent, from an approved college/university/seminary may apply for the program of Ph.D. The purpose of this program is to develop advanced students of high intellectual ability the capacity for independent inquiry and criticism required for doing original research in a particular area of theological study, teaching in a theological college or seminary, or providing specialized leadership in the church and/or mission field.
 
AIGS offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, and Missiology. This program is designed to be completed in 3 calendar years, including summer and winter terms, not counting any leave of absence and cannot exceed 5 years (including the leave of absence).
 
Students must earn a minimum of 36 credits of course-work for the degree. The thesis is a non-credit requirement. Students are recommended to take up to 6-9 credits per semester, not exceeding 9 credits, to invest most of their time in thesis research. The modern language requirement is to be completed within 2 years from the initial registration.
 
For Old Testament, New Testament and Systematic Theology majors, modern German or French is required. For Historical Theology and Missiology majors, one language can be selected from German, French, Latin or other pertinent modern languages with the approval of the AIGS Committee.
 
Total Number of Credits for the Degree: minimum 36 credits or above
 
  1. Prerequisites         : Greek (6) and Hebrew (6)
  2. Course Work           : 36 credits
    Major                 : 24-30 credits
    Non-major             : 12 to 18 credits
  3. Language Requirement
  4. Academic Writing      : 2 to 3 credits
  5. Comprehensive Examination
  6. Thesis
  7. Oral Examination