THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION CENTER

Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
TEC Requirements: 32 Semester Credit Hours

Purpose: This program provides graduate training in educational principles and theory from a biblical perspective for men and women anticipating ministry as Religious Education specialists.

First Semester

Age Group Ministries (3 semester credit hours)
Church Educational Ministries (3 semester credit hours)
Curriculum Studies (3 semester credit hours)
Pedagogy (3 semester credit hours)
Teaching Methods of Christ (3 semester credit hours)

Second Semester

Theology of Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
Principles of Administration (3 semester credit hours)
Philosophy of Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
History of Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
Master's Thesis Research (2 semester credit hours)
Master's Thesis Project (3 semester credit hours)

MASTER OF SACRED LITERATURE (Thesis Only Degree)

Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
TEC Requirements: Scholarly Thesis

Purpose: To allow the motivated learner opportunity for indepth research in a chosen field for the purpose of creating a scholarly thesis adding to the body of knowledge in the discipline. 

There are no courses in the Master of Sacred Literature curriculum. The degree of Master of Sacred Literature is awarded on the basis of the successful submission of a scholarly thesis. The thesis should give evidence of the candidate's ability to carry out research; that the candidate has shown originality and independence; and that the candidate has made a contribution to knowledge in the particular field.

The M.S.L. candidate is given a comprehensive Guide for writing the thesis required for the degree award. Suggested sequences and procedures are provided. Step by step instructions are included beginning with how to initiate research through the editing of the final draft of the thesis for submission to faculty.

The Focus of the M.S.L. thesis determines the distinctive concentration or major area of research. Thus, for example, if one does research in a New Testament area, the degree would be the Master of Sacred Literature in New Testament Studies. If one does research in the area of theology, the degree would be the Master of Sacred Literature in Theological Studies.

The M.S.L. thesis will be composed of five chapters.

Chapter One: Introduction to the Problem
Chapter Two: Critical Literature Review
Chapter Three: Research Methodologies
Chapter Four: Research Conclusions
Chapter Five: Summary and Recommendations for Further Study

Page length is a minimum of 100 pages and a maximum of 225 pages.

The M.S.L. study process is as follows:

1. Learner is accepted via application into the M.S.L. degree program.
2. Learner enrolls for thesis proposal and submits proposal within six months of enrollment.
3. Once the proposal is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter one of the thesis and submits chapter one within six months following enrollment.
4. Once chapter one is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter two of the thesis and submits chapter two within six months following enrollment.
5. Once chapter two is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter three of the thesis and submits chapter three within six months following enrollment.
6. Once chapter three is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter four of the thesis and submits chapter four within six months following enrollment.
7. Once chapter four is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter five of the thesis and submits chapter five within six months following enrollment.
9. Once chapter five is accepted by the Master's Studies Committee and all financial obligations are satisfied, the degree will be conferred. 

The schedule mentioned above is only suggestive. The learner may submit any of the assignments in less than the suggested six months. If one needs additional time, the continuance policy would allow such.

The minimum time for degree completion is one year. The maximum time for degree completion is six years.