Master of Arts in Theology (Thesis Program)

This degree seeks to foster theological research and to develop research skills and advanced studies in the different theological disciplines, e.g., Sacred Scriptures, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Missiology, Church History, Spirituality.

• To prepare teachers of the faith who are especially competent in making the Christian message heard in the realm of intellectual inquiry.
• To lead its students to an in-depth understanding of the Christian heritage and its creative re-expression in the contemporary Philippine and Asian context.

Admission Requirement: AB Theology as Second Degree

For a student to be enrolled in the MAT Program, he or she should obtain the AB Theology Degree at DWST.

• A student should not have a failing grade in any subject in his or her AB Theology Degree.
• The student must have a General Average of 85% in his or her AB Theology Program.
• A letter of recommendation for admission to the Graduate Program from his or her Rector/Superior is required.

Language Requirements

• Candidates for the MAT (thesis program) are generally required to have a reading knowledge of ecclesiastical Latin.
• Candidates who write their thesis in Sacred Scriptures should have a reading knowledge of Hebrew and Greek.

Promotion Requirements

• Academic Performance: The graduate student must maintain a General Average of 85% without any failing grade in any subject.
• Graduate students are required to submit a research paper on topics related to their proposed thesis.
• Written and oral comprehensive examinations: Candidates for graduation must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination which covers all the subjects of the field of concentration and are administered by the professors of the respective departments.
• A thesis demonstrating competency in research methods, ability to organize materials and to draw conclusions, is generally required.
• Before the topic of an MAT thesis can be approved, the student has to participate in a seminar within his field of concentration, if possible in the subject in which he intends to write his thesis.
• The candidate writes a thesis proposal with the aid of his or her adviser and defends it before a panel of examiners. A candidate writes his or her thesis only after the approval of the proposal.
• The student will only be admitted to the oral defense of his thesis after it has been approved by the thesis committee.
• The Master’s thesis has to be submitted for approval not later than two (2) years after the completion of all the academic requirements.

The master’s degree is conferred after the completion of all the required subjects, the passing of the defense and submission of the bound thesis, and the issuance of the Special Order number (SO).