STM or THM influence

[ddsdevil]

I'll be finishing my M.Div next Spring and I will probably have between a 3.2-3.3 GPA. Nothing to write home about (or to write PhD programs about) However, I have reasons (I think) as to why my GPA is low. (student pastor, having first child, flip flopping on interests). So I'm wondering how much a masters of sacred theology or masters of theology will help with getting into a decent PhD program, if I were to do well in it. Has anyone gone this route with success?

Thanks!

Edited April 25, 2011 by ddsdevil

[JonathanEdwards]

I'll be finishing my M.Div next Spring and I will probably have between a 3.2-3.3 GPA. Nothing to write home about (or to write PhD programs about) However, I have reasons (I think) as to why my GPA is low. (student pastor, having first child, flip flopping on interests). So I'm wondering how much a masters of sacred theology or masters of theology will help with getting into a decent PhD program, if I were to do well in it. Has anyone gone this route with success?

Thanks!

Hi ddsdevil,

I traveled a similar road and ultimately succeeded. I had chosen an M.Div. based on a scholar who turned out to be an (unadvertised) research professor who rarely taught classes, while the rest of the faculty wasn’t at his level. I chose more carefully for the Th.M. and once I went from Westcott (M.Div., Blah School of Theology) to Westcott (Th.M., Dynamic Divinity School) I got into my first choice university for the Ph.D.

Hope that’s somewhat encouraging,

Westcott

[ddsdevil]

Thanks Westcott,

Did a low gpa in the MDiv also cause you to pursue a second master's?

[JonathanEdwards]

No, just the realization that my school's 'accredited but mediocre' academic reputation would not allow me to prove I was capable of meeting the PhD challenge, no matter how well I did. Where are you thinking of doing the Th.M./S.T.M. and in what discipline?

W.

Thanks Westcott,

Did a low gpa in the MDiv also cause you to pursue a second master's?

[ddsdevil]

Liturgical studies. I'm looking at Nashotah House. Not a huge name, but they are known for liturgical studies and I can do the stm while serving a church.

[JonathanEdwards]

Nashotah is an excellent choice for anyone interested in liturgucal studies. If I could return to my M.Div. and do it at a different school, I'd go to the House.

Liturgical studies. I'm looking at Nashotah House. Not a huge name, but they are known for liturgical studies and I can do the stm while serving a church.

[ewrobinson]

Hi ddsdevil,

I traveled a similar road and ultimately succeeded. I had chosen an M.Div. based on a scholar who turned out to be an (unadvertised) research professor who rarely taught classes, while the rest of the faculty wasn’t at his level. I chose more carefully for the Th.M. and once I went from Westcott (M.Div., Blah School of Theology) to Westcott (Th.M., Dynamic Divinity School) I got into my first choice university for the Ph.D.

Hope that’s somewhat encouraging,

Westcott

Westcott - Where did you do your ThM, if you don't mind me asking?

[JonathanEdwards]

Westcott - Where did you do your ThM, if you don't mind me asking?

E.W.,

I don't mind at all - I took my Th.M. from Gordon-Conwell. Here’s what I wrote about my experience on another thread.

On the relational side, I found Gordon-Conwell a model for respectful behavior among Christians from very different backgrounds. Coming from a previous seminary which had a very boisterous approach to anyone of a remotely different tradition, it was a breath of fresh air. I lived on campus and saw that gracious demeanor exhibited by faculty, staff and fellow students. That same affirming attitude was extended to students, Christian and non-Christian alike, who took classes while registered at one of the other BTI

schools, which brings me to the academic side of things.

Gordon-Conwell is part of the

Boston Theological Institute

, eight schools which allow their students to cross-register for courses at each other. That is a level of recognition which is rare for an evangelical seminary - GCTS is the only one I’m aware of which enjoys this broader relationship. The other schools (Harvard Divinity School, Boston University, Boston College, Episcopal Divinity School, Holy Cross, St. Johns, Andover-Newton), have a good relationship with GCTS because of demonstrated student ability and mutual faculty respect. One proof of this on the student side is in GCTS’ record of placing M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. grads into the best Ph.D. programs in the world. The year I graduated, everyone that I was aware of that wanted to go on for a Ph.D. was able to do so, and at universities like Oxford, Toronto, Cambridge, Harvard, Edinburgh, London, UNC, Queens, etc. On the faculty side, many of the

GCTS professors

were trained at the same places as their peers at the other BTI schools.

In fairness, this was in response to a fellow there who repeated some very negative generalizations he had heard secondhand about Gordon-Conwell, Harvard, Asbury, and Princeton. While I didn't think that portion of his post was terribly helpful, you should probably read the for yourself if you're considering any of these schools.

Best wishes,

Westcott

Edited May 30, 2011 by Westcott

[ewrobinson]

Thanks for the info!

[triforme]

Liturgical studies. I'm looking at Nashotah House. Not a huge name, but they are known for liturgical studies and I can do the stm while serving a church.

You might also consider Saint John's SOT in Collegeville, MN. Their lit studies program is really quite good and has a history of strong ecumenical students.