UDTS ATS Accreditation 2024

Standard 4: Master's Degrees

• Standard 4: Master's Degrees

  • 4. Master’s Degree Programs: Theological schools are communities of faith and learning offering master’s degrees that are appropriate to their missions, constituencies, and capacities and that meet all applicable degree program requirements. Master’s degrees have clearly stated student learning outcomes that are regularly evaluated, with the results used to improve student learning and formation.
    

  • Master of Divinity

  • 4.1 The Master of Divinity degree prepares people for religious leadership or service in congregations and other settings, as well as for advanced degrees. This degree requires a minimum of 72 semester credits or equivalent units.
    

  • 4.2 The Master of Divinity (abbreviated as MDiv) is the standard nomenclature for this degree. The school may offer this degree with specializations or tracks and use those names in official publications, but the Commission recognizes and records this degree only as Master of Divinity. Any school using a different nomenclature for historical or theological reasons has Commission approval.
    

  • 4.3 The Master of Divinity degree is broadly and deeply attentive to the intellectual, human, spiritual, and vocational dimensions of student learning and formation in ways consistent with the school’s mission and theological commitments. The degree has clearly articulated learning outcomes that address each of the following four areas, though the school may use different terms for these areas: (a) religious heritage, including understanding of scripture, the theological traditions and history of the school’s faith community, and the broader heritage of other relevant religious traditions; (b) cultural context, including attention to cultural and social issues, to global awareness and engagement, and to the multifaith and multicultural nature of the societies in which students may serve; (c) personal and spiritual formation, including development in personal faith, professional ethics, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and spirituality; and (d) religious and public leadership, including cultivating capacities for leading in ecclesial or denominational and public contexts and reflecting on leadership practices.
    

    Master of Divinity Degree Requirements and Learning Outcomes (Catalog, p.16)

  • 4.4 The Master of Divinity degree requires supervised practical experiences (e.g., practicum or internship) in areas related to the student’s vocational calling in order to achieve the learning outcomes of the degree program. These experiences are in settings that are appropriately chosen, well suited to the experience needed, and of sufficient duration. These experiences are also supervised by those who are appropriately qualified, professionally developed, and regularly evaluated.
    

    SPM Guide 2023-2024

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    SPM Internal Checklist and Communication Samples Page
  • 4.5 The Master of Divinity degree program as a whole and each of its specific student learning outcomes are regularly evaluated, with the results discussed by faculty and used to improve student learning and formation.
    

  • Master of Arts

  • 4.6 The Master of Arts degree prepares people in one of three ways: (a) primarily academically for graduate study of one or more theologically related disciplines, including personal enrichment; (b) primarily professionally for some form of religious leadership or other kinds of service; or (c) both academically and professionally with each receiving similar attention. Each Master of Arts degree offered by a school has a clear purpose statement that indicates which of these ways is primary. The degree requires a minimum of 36 semester credits or equivalent units.
    

  • 4.7 The Master of Arts degree has various nomenclatures, depending on its purpose and on certain provincial, state, or ecclesial or denominational regulations. The most common nomenclature is Master of Arts (abbreviated as MA), but the school may choose other appropriate nomenclatures that suit the degree’s purpose and setting. Other common names for this degree are Master of Theological Studies (MTS), Master of Arts in Religion (MAR), Master of Religious Education (MRE), Master of Church Music (MCM), Master of [specialization], Master of Arts in [specialization], and Master of Arts [(specialization)]. The school may use any appropriate nomenclature, but it may not change that nomenclature without notifying the Commission (see Policies and Procedures, IV.D.1) so an accurate record of all approved degrees can be maintained.
    

  • 4.8 The Master of Arts degree has clearly articulated student learning outcomes that are appropriate to a graduate theological degree (including any specializations in that degree) and are consistent with the school’s mission and resources. A degree that is primarily academically oriented typically has some form of capstone research project (e.g., thesis or extended research paper), while one that is primarily professionally oriented typically has some form of supervised practical experience that meets the requirements in Standard 4.4. Master’s degrees that are oriented both professionally and academically have appropriate options (e.g., practicum, thesis, or other).
    

    Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship Learning Outcomes (Catalog, p.18)
    Master of Arts in Reformed Theology Learning Outcomes (Catalog, p.19)

  • 4.9 The Master of Arts degree program as a whole and each of its specific student learning outcomes are regularly evaluated, with the results discussed by faculty and used to improve student learning and formation.
    

  • Master of Theology (Master of Sacred Theology)

  • 4.10 The Master of Theology degree (or Master of Sacred Theology) is an advanced, academically oriented, master’s degree for people who already have a Master of Divinity degree or other graduate theological degree providing equivalent academic background. This degree prepares people to study more deeply a theologically related discipline, often in preparation for doctoral studies. Since it builds upon a previous master’s degree, this degree may require as few as 24 semester credits or equivalent units. The only nomenclature normally allowed for this degree is Master of Theology (abbreviated as ThM or sometimes MTh) or Master of Sacred Theology (abbreviated as STM).
    

  • 4.11 The Master of Theology degree has clearly articulated student learning outcomes that are appropriate to an advanced degree in theology and consistent with the school’s mission and resources. The degree has at least half of the coursework in courses designed for students in advanced, academically oriented degree programs (i.e., ThM/STM or PhD/ThD). If the degree has language requirements, these are appropriate to the field of specialization. The program typically culminates in a thesis demonstrating scholarly research.
    

  • 4.12 The Master of Theology degree program as a whole and each of its specific student learning outcomes are regularly evaluated, with the results discussed by faculty and used to improve student learning and formation.
    

  • Additional Evidence

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