CONCURRENT M.A. (PHILOSOPHY) AND M.A. (THEOLOGY) DEGREES
Students who wish to pursue an integrated program in both philosophy and philosophical or systematic theology may do so by enrolling in the DSPT Master of Arts (Philosophy) degree concurrently with either the DSPT Master of Arts (Theology), Research Emphasis or the Common GTU M.A. (Theology) degree.
Both degrees are conferred in their integrity after a three-year course of studies comprising a total of sixty-three units (54 units of course work, and 9 units of "in thesis"). In no case can the two degrees be finished in less than six semesters of full-time work. For a detailed description of each degree, the student is directed to the individual program descriptions.
Course Work
Eighteen three-unit academic courses (54 units) are required. Eight of these course (24 units) must be from philosophy courses that are required for the M.A. (Philosophy). Ten courses (30 units) must be from the courses required for the respective M.A. (Theology), observing any distribution requirements. Any philosophy courses required as prerequisites by the DSPT Admissions Committee for the M.A. (Philosophy) cannot be counted as part of the 54 units needed for completion of the concurrent programs.
Language requirement
Students must possess a reading knowledge of a modern or classical foreign language which has relevance to the student's program of studies. Language proficiency must normally be certified by the beginning of the third semester in the program. DSPT's policy for certifying language proficiency is based upon the GTU policy for the Common M.A.; students should consult the DSPT registrar or academic dean for details. Foreign students whose native language is not English may fulfill the language requirement by passing the ETS/TOEFL examination.
Thesis Promotion to the degree of Master of Arts requires a written thesis on a subject selected by the student and approved by the DSPT philosophy department and the respective theology program. This thesis must show that the student is capable of scholarly research on a topic involving the disciplines of both philosophy and theology. To attain the approval of the philosophy department, the student must present a proposal for the thesis in the prescribed format and with the appropriate DSPT M.A. committee form (available from the registrar or online in the Student Services section of the website) to the philosophy department for approval by the end of the fourth semester in the program. In the thesis proposal, the student also nominates a director and two readers for the thesis. These must be approved by the department, which may, at its discretion, make substitutions in light of the nature of the thesis. The director cannot be changed without the approval of the department.
Having received the approval of the philosophy department, the student then seeks the approval of the respective theology program. Students in the concurrent DSPT M.A. theology program do this by submitting the proposal and DSPT committee form to the theology department. Students in the concurrent GTU M.A. in Theology program do this by completing the "Master of Arts Thesis Committee Request" from for the GTU Common M.A., obtaining the signatures of the committee members and the Deans of GTU and DSPT, and filing the Request with the GTU Dean's Office.
The thesis is to be about 120 pages in length and written according to the standards prescribed in A Manual for the Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, 6th edition, by Kate Turabian, (University of Chicago Press, 1996). A comprehensive bibliography of the appropriate sources and modern treatments of the subject matter of the thesis should be included in the final copy. Three unbound copies of the thesis must be submitted to the director and readers no later than March 1 of the year in which the degree is to be conferred (or at least two weeks prior to the date of the defense).
Upon approval and successful oral defense of the thesis, the student submits the required copies of the thesis, suitable for binding and approved by the GTU Library. Students in the concurrent DSPT M.A. in Theology program submit three copies to the DSPT Academic Dean. Students in the Concurrent GTU M.A. theology program submit two copies to the to the Academic Secretary in the GTU Student Affairs Office and two copies to the DSPT Academic Dean.
Oral Defense
The oral defense of the thesis will be conducted by the director and the assigned readers. The defense shall not exceed one and one half hours in length. The student shall petition the DSPT Academic Dean in writing for the defense at least one month before it is to take place. A student, whose thesis and oral defense are deemed outstanding by all three examiners, may be granted the degree "with honors."
For detailed description of each degree the applicant should refer to the individual program descriptions. To apply see the Admissions Section of the DSPT website.
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