Master of Arts in Theology

Concluding Exercise

As part of the requirements to complete the Master of Arts degrees, students must complete the concluding exercise of a comprehensive essay exam. At the beginning of the last semester of their studies, or once they have completed all core course requirements, students are to register for 70:200 MA Comprehensive Exam in order to obtain their essay exam questions.

Each student will be given three randomly selected essay questions from the Division of Philosophical and Systematic Studies and two questions from the Division of Biblical and Historical Studies. Students may select three of the five questions (at least one from Philosophical and Systematic Studies and at least one from Biblical and Historical Studies).

Each question is to be responded to in an essay of eight to ten pages. Essays must follow a recognized style manual and be completed three weeks prior to the last scheduled class day for the semester. The professor who submitted the question will read the essay.

The grades for all three essays will be averaged to determine the student’s grade for the exam. A “B-” or above must be obtained to pass. In the case of a failing grade, a student may retake the exam once. In order to graduate, the student must petition the Academic Dean in writing and successfully pass the second exam within six months of the first attempt.

General Calendar for Concluding Exercises

• Fall and Spring Terms:
• Registration deadline: same date as fall and spring weekday course deadline
• Students receive questions: first week of the weekday semester
• Questions due to the academic office: three weeks before the end of the semester
• Grades due from faculty to registrar: same date as fall and spring weekday course grades
• Summer Terms:
• Registration deadline: same date as late summer weekend course deadline
• Students receive questions: one week prior to first weekend meeting of late summer term weekend courses
• Questions due to the academic office: one week after the final weekend meeting of the late summer term weekend courses
• Grades are due to registrar: when all other summer course grades are due