Master Degree Programs – Research Model
Young Scientists University offers Master Degree Programs in Research from all major areas of Theology, as well as the Study of Religion. Most subjects are available both as a Master of Theology and as a Master of Arts degree; a few subjects are available in Master of Divinity form only. Master’s students can be considered for doctoral study. The chief distinctions between the degrees are as follows:
- The research course of study for the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) lasts ten months from January to October in one academic year. (Program enrollment is offered 3 times per year) This Program offers an intensive period of advanced study in a specific field with demanding training and serious focus on relevant research methods.
- The course of study for the degree of Master of Theology (M.Th.) lasts fifteen months from January in Year 1 to March in Year 2. (Program enrolment is offered 2 times per year) This Program offers a more extended period of advanced study in a specific field, providing the same demanding training on relevant research methods. However, additional subject options and with a longer period devoted to scholarly research and writing is offered.
- The course of study for the degree of Master of Divinity (M.Div.) lasts twenty-four months from January in Year 1 to December in Year 2. (Program enrolment is offered 2 times per year) This Program offers a more extended period of advanced study in a specific field, typically with a high level ministry focus, providing the same demanding training on relevant research methods. Additional subject options and with a longer period devoted to scholarly research and writing is offered.
For more details, choose a subject area below:
Study of Religion – M.A.
Course Schedule and Assessment
This M.A. Program is a nine month course. Students will undergo intensive training and conduct research on the study of religion. During the research period, students are required to study two major religions at an advanced level. The outcome of the research should focus on the nature and tenants of the selected religions. Students may choose from the following list of religious traditions:
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
Research Focus:
Research in this area of study should focus on the early doctrines, practice of religious traditions, and the historical contexts of the selected religions. Students are expected to work with their advisor and engage in the study of primary source texts, using English translations. Students selecting Judaism as a religion should focus on the religious practices and traditions in place from 70 CE, with reference to the historical development of the religion as well as the nature of Judaism in modern world situations. Students focusing on Hinduism as one of their selected religions should specifically focus on brahminical tradition in addition to the other various aspects of the religion.
Each of the selected religious traditions should focus heavily on complimentary research which can be applied to the study of world religions with an internationally-recognized approach. This typically means that students not only focus their study and research as specialists in a particular area of religion, but they also have the ability to articulate the content of the research to other areas of religious study.
Formal Assessment:
- Students enrolled in this research program are required to complete one 3-hour exam on the Nature and Principles of Religion.
- During the course of research, students are expected to write at least two 5,000 word essays which are qualified for publication, each on topics relating to religious tradition and practices.
- Upon the completion of the research period, students are expected to write and submit a thesis of not less than 15,000-words on a topic related to the two religious traditions they selected for study. (Students intending to enter a doctoral program may use this topic as a foundation for future research).
- At the completion of the research period, students are required to complete an oral examination (viva voce) on the student’s thesis topic, for the purpose of providing a wider discussion of acquired knowledge on the study of religion.
All essay and thesis topics proposed by the student are subject to approval from academic advisor as well as receiving the advice and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee with regard to the thesis proposal.
Old Testament – M.Th. Course Schedule and Assessment:
This M.Th. Program is a fifteen month program. The research conducted in this Program offers students a more extensive study of the Old Testament at an advanced level. All students enrolled in this Program will conduct their personal study based on Old Testament texts in Hebrew. The range of study includes the following areas:
- Old Testament Theology,
- Historical Literature of the Old Testament,
- Apocryphal Historical Research Additionally, students may also select:
- Old Testament texts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek (the Septuagint)
Research Focus:
The structure, content and methods of research being conducted in this area should include a detailed investigation of and examination of specific Hebrew texts. It should also focus on selected topics and periods of Old Testament life and social conditions. Students doing their research will focus on both modern and historical contributions and examine them, using a historical approach to determine the authenticity of all texts being examined.
Formal Assessment:
- Students in this research program are required to complete one 3-hour exam on prescribed Old Testament texts in Hebrew, or
- Complete one 3-hour exam on prescribed texts in Hebrew, or Aramaic, or Greek
- During the course of research, students are expected to write at least two 5,000 word essays which are qualified for publication, from topics related to: (i) Literature of the Old Testament; (ii) Old Testament Theology; or (iii) History and Principles of Biblical Study.
- Upon the completion of the research period, students are expected to write and submit a thesis of not less than 30,000-words on a topic related to an Old Testament topic. (Students intending to enter a doctoral program may use this topic as a foundation for future research).
- At the completion of the research period, students are required to complete an oral examination (viva voce) on the student’s thesis topic, for the purpose of providing a wider discussion of acquired knowledge on the study of religion.
All essay and thesis topics proposed by the student are subject to approval from academic advisor as well as receiving the advice and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee with regard to the thesis proposal.
New Testament – M.Th.
Course Schedule and Assessment:
This M.Th. Program is a fifteen month program. The research conducted in this Program offers students a more extensive study of the New Testament at an advanced level. All students enrolled in this Program will conduct their personal study based on New Testament texts in Hebrew and Greek. The range of study includes the following areas:
- New Testament Theology,
- Historical Literature of the New Testament,
- Thea Early Church Era,
- Pauline Epistles,
- New Testament
Research Focus:
The structure, content and methods of research being conducted in this area should include a detailed investigation of and examination of specific Hebrew and Greek texts. It should also focus on selected topics and periods of New Testament life and social conditions. Students doing their research will focus on both modern and historical contributions and examine them, using a historical approach to determine the authenticity of all texts being examined.
Formal Assessment:
- Students in this research program are required to complete one 3-hour exam on prescribed New Testament texts in Hebrew, or
- Complete one 3-hour exam on prescribed texts in Aramaic, or Greek
- During the course of research, students are expected to write at least two 5,000 word essays which are qualified for publication, from topics related to: (i) New Testament Historicity; (ii) New Testament Theology; or (iii) History and Principles of Modern Religious Practices from 100 – 300 CE.
- Upon the completion of the research period, students are expected to write and submit a thesis of not less than 30,000-words on a topic related to an approved New Testament topic. (Students intending to enter a doctoral program may use this topic as a foundation for future research).
- At the completion of the research period, students are required to complete an oral examination (viva voce) on the student’s thesis topic, for the purpose of providing a wider discussion of acquired knowledge on the study of religion.
All essay and thesis topics proposed by the student are subject to approval from academic advisor as well as receiving the advice and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee with regard to the thesis proposal.
Biblical Hermeneutics – M.A.
Course Schedule and Assessment:
This M.A. Program is a ten month program. The program offers an extensive study of New Testament Hermeneutics at an advanced level. During the Program Students will be required to study and research various aspects of New Testament religion and literature including: the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles and Apocalypse. As their research focus,
students may choose any two of the following:
- New Testament Theology
- Diversity within Judaism: 200 B.C. – C.E. 200
- History and Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics
Research Focus:
The structure, content and methods of research being conducted in this area should include a detailed investigation of and examination of specific Hebrew and Greek texts, with a focus on interpreting biblical texts. It should also focus on selected topics and periods of New Testament life and social conditions. Students doing their research will focus on both modern and historical contributions and examine them, using a historical approach to determine the authenticity of all texts being examined.
Formal Assessment:
- Students in this research program are required to complete one 3-hour exam on prescribed New Testament texts in Hebrew,
- During the course of research, students are expected to write at least one 5,000 word essay which is qualified for publication, from topics related to: (i) New Testament Hermeneutics; (ii) New Testament Theology; or (iii) History and Principles of Modern Hermeneutic Practices from 100 – 300 CE.
- Upon the completion of the research period, students are expected to write and submit a thesis of not less than 15,000-words on a topic related to an approved New Testament topic focused on Hermeneutics. (Students intending to enter a doctoral program may use this topic as a foundation for future research).
- At the completion of the research period, students are required to complete an oral examination (viva voce) on the student’s thesis topic, for the purpose of providing a wider discussion of acquired knowledge on the study of religion.
All essay and thesis topics proposed by the student are subject to approval from academic advisor as well as receiving the advice and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee with regard to the thesis proposal.
Course Content and Assessment
This 9-month course offers an intensive training in research in the history of biblical interpretation, biblical hermeneutics, reception history and related studies.
Assessment consists of:
- one 3-hour exam on the History and Principles of Biblical Study with special reference to a period selected by the student in consultation with his or her supervisor
- two essays of up to 5,000 words each on biblical interpretation topics falling within the period covered by the exam
- one 15,000-word dissertation on a biblical interpretation topic falling within the same period covered by the exam and essays. (Students intending to proceed to doctoral study use this dissertation topic as a foundation for future research)
- one oral examination (viva voce) on a student’s dissertation topic and wider knowledge of biblical interpretation.
The choice of essay and dissertation topics is the student’s, albeit subject to the supervisor’s advice
and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.
