News

A number of significant revisions to Regent College’s Master of Theology program will make it easier for students to complete the degree. The introduction of a non-thesis track gives students the option to take more courses and write a major paper instead of devoting half of their degree credits to a full-length thesis.

Other changes include the reduction of the minimum number of credits required for graduation from 30 to 24, and the lowering of the admission requirement from 3.5 to 3.3.

The Master of Theology is Regent’s highest academic degree, and requires a previous master’s degree for admission. Most students who pursue the ThM are interested in an academic career; desire more theological training to complement their work in ministry, education, or another profession; or are simply intent on pursuing focused studies in a particular area of interest.

"The key change is the creation of a new 'track' in addition to the 'thesis track.' The 'thesis track' is still available for those students who want to pursue—or those who want to explore the possibility of—an academic career. The new 'major paper track' is for those students who simply want to broaden and deepen their theological understanding beyond that of their first master’s degree," says Craig Gay, ThM Program Advisor.

Those who will benefit most from these changes include:

• Pastors who would like to do further studies, and may be attracted to the non-thesis option.
• Alumni who may have contemplated the ThM in the past but did not pursue it because they didn’t meet the criteria.
• Current students in the ThM program who may not have completed their program, and would now consider completing it with the new track option.
• Current students in the MCS/MDiv program who may find that they are now eligible to do the ThM under the new admission requirements.

The changes are effective as of the 2012–2013 academic year. Students already enrolled in the ThM have the option to switch into the new program.

About Regent College

Regent College is an evangelical, international graduate school of Christian studies based in Vancouver, and affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Canada’s third largest university. Regent College is a theological graduate school—a place of academic rigour, cultural engagement, and vibrant faith that transforms intellect, imagination, and character. Here, people from around the world are inspired and enriched with a deep and practical Christian faith extending into all spheres of life and enabling them to live more thoughtfully in varied vocations in the church and the world.