The Master of Divinity degree must be completed within six calendar years from the date of first enrollment, except for extenuating circumstances to be approved by the Dean of the Faculty.
The
last full year of work toward the Master of Divinity degree must normally be
taken in residence at Houston Graduate School of Theology. No more than two full semesters of work will normally be allowed as
transfer credit toward the Master of Divinity degree at Houston Graduate School
of Theology. All transfer credits
are subject to evaluation by the Dean of the Faculty as to applicability toward HGST
degree credit and must be from accredited Master of Divinity
or equivalent level Master's degree programs.
Within the Master of Divinity curriculum, the student may select an area of concentration for increased competency. The degree plan and course selection will be made in consultation with the advisor and the Dean of the Faculty with reference to the general degree requirement outlines.
Each program should seek a balance and integration
that reflects the student's gifts and intentions for ministry and leads to
strength in basic areas. Each
program should include advanced level course work in the area of concentration,
building on basic and required courses. Each
program should include a thesis selected in consultation with the advisor and,
when complete, accepted by the faculty. For the Master of Divinity degree, which is a professional
degree for the practice of ministry, the thesis may be in the form of a
leadership project, but it must include bibliography, research on models, and a
written description in thesis format.