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Master of Theology (Latin: Theologiae Magister, abbreviated M.Th., Th.M., or M.Theol.[1]) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.[2] It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a PhD program or as a stand-alone terminal degree depending on one's particular educational background and institution of study. In North America, the Th.M. typically requires at least three years of prerequisite graduate study for entrance into the program, typically a Master of Divinity or equivalent.
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The Master of Theology often includes one or two years of specialized advanced and/or doctoral-level studies in theological research (e.g., counseling, church history, systematic theology) or biblical studies (e.g., New Testament, Old Testament, biblical translation). Depending on the institution, it may or may not require comprehensive examinations and a research thesis, but is required to produce "learning outcomes that demonstrate advanced competency in one area or discipline of theological study and capacity to conduct original research in that area."[3] Owing to the advanced nature of Th.M. studies, biblical language training is usually an admissions prerequisite and some programs include additional research language training in German, French, Latin, or an ancient Hebrew cognate (e.g., Akkadian, Ugaritic).[4][5][6]
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In North America, the Association of Theological Schools requires a Master of Theology, or the equivalent Master of Sacred Theology, to be the minimum educational credential for teaching theological subjects in its accredited seminaries and graduate schools.[7] The Association of Theological Schools classifies both degrees as "Advanced Programs Oriented Toward Theological Research and Teaching."[3] Most Th.M. programs in the U.S. require a Master of Divinity or its educational equivalent as an academic prerequisite.
The Master of Theology often functions as a terminal level degree, dependent upon one's particular educational route or institution of study. Some institutions award a Master of Theology en route to a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Theology.[8]
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The international M.Th. degree is generally an entry-level masters degree, roughly equivalent to an American M.A., while in the U.S., the Th.M. is an advanced or terminal master's degree beyond the M.Div. These may be generally distinguished through the abbreviation M.Th. for the international degree and Th.M. for the U.S. iteration. There are some U.S. institutions which offer a M.Th. that is akin to the international M.Th. and is the basically the equivalent of an M.A. or an M.T.S., however, these typically use the abbreviation M.Th.[9] [10]
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