GRADUATE
SCHOOL INFORMATION
The following information has been assembled for the
benefit of
JLF
University
students considering graduate theological school or graduate study in religion.
Some General
Resources
First of all, make maximum use of four local sources of
information:
1.
The Center for Faith and
Vocation, located in the Blue House (4615 Sunset), Ms. Judith Cebula, director
(
jcebula@butler.edu).
www.butler.edu/cfv.
2.
The Office of
Postgraduate Studies, 212
Jordan
Hall, Mr. Johnny Pryor, director (jpryor@butler.edu).
www.butler.edu/preprofessional. A
source of information about all aspects of researching and applying to graduate
programs, including the GRE exam.
3.
The Pre-Theology Adviser,
Dr. Paul Valliere, 202
Jordan
Hall (pvallier@butler.edu).
4.
Christian Theological
Seminary, 1000 W. 42 ndStreet,
Indianapolis
, around the corner from BU.
www.cts.edu. Source
of information on all aspects of theological education. Admissions director is
Rev. Mary Harris (mharris@cts.edu).
Second, visit the websites of national organizations
dedicated to promoting discussion of theological vocations and monitoring
graduate programs in theology and religion:
1.
www.ptev.org. Programs
for the Theological Exploration of Vocation. The national network of which
Butler's Center for Faith and Vocation is a member.
2.
www.exploreministry.org.
and
www.thefund.org, both
maintained by the Fund for Theological Education. Note that the FTE offers
fellowship programs and other opportunities for undergraduates considering a
theological vocation and for first-year theological students.
3.
www.thefund.orgSite
sponsored by the Pastoral Leadership Search Effort, a national talent search
for young people interested in religious ministries.
4.
www.aarweb.org Site
maintained by the
American
Academy
of Religion. The AAR maintains a survey of all fully accredited universities,
theological schools, and seminaries in the
United
States
and
Canada
that offer an academic doctoral program in religious studies or theology. Even
if you are not considering a doctoral program, the survey can still provide
insights into the nature of graduate theological education. You can find the
results of this survey at:
www.aarweb.org/department/default.asp.
5.
www.ats.eduSite of the
Association of Theological Schools in the
United States
and
Canada
.
Degrees.
Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
The M.T.S. degree provides a fouidates for ordination
and leadership in congregations, chaplaincies, social service agencies and
higher education who are fully engaged in constructive service to their faith
traditions and the world at large. It is the most comprehensive and practical
deg-year program and often includes language requirements.
Master of Arts (M.A.) and Ph.D. in Religion
These two degrees are designed for advanced academic
training on a specific subject in any number of areas within the religious
studies domain in preparatioo pursue further academic studies or those who wish
to explore the Bible and theology without taking on pastoral roles. It is in
general a two-year program and often includes language requirements.
Master of Arts (M.A.) and Ph.D. in Religion
These two degrs.
Both require language study.
Other Degrees
Some institutions offer advanced theological degrees
for students who have already earned one of the master’s degrees described
above. These include the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.), Doctor of Ministry (D.
Min.) and Master of Sacred Theology (M.T.S.)
Some institutions also offer a variety of other
degrees, such as the Master in Church (or Specialized) Ministries (for
ordination as a deacon). These take on a slightly different character than the
degrees mentioned above, maintain different requirements and are often geared
toward specific ends (as with the M.C.M.).
It is also not uncommon for
theological schools to offer a range of counseling and therapy degrees, such as
a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy in Church (or Specialized)
Ministries (for ordination as a deacon). These take on a slightly different
character than the degrees mentioned above, maintain different requirements and
are often geared toward specific ends (as with the M.C.M.).