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POSTGRADUATE PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
PRACTICAL THEOLOGY PROGRAM

The American Theological Seminary offers the Postgraduate professional studies program to qualified persons currently engaged in ministry. This program builds on and extends their previous theological education and experience. The purpose of the program is, at an advanced level, to help focus the efforts and develop the effectiveness of persons in ministry. This PPS program combines classroom and field-oriented learning and in a variety of ways integrates Biblical/Theological knowledge and insights with ministerial effectiveness as a servant of Christ and a communicator of the Word. Majors are offered in the fields of Ministry (D. Min.), Religious Education (D.R.E.) and Mission (D. Miss.). They have been designed:

  1. to give deeper theological understanding and insights and learn how to integrate theology and practice more effectively;
  2. to develop a bent of mind that searches for new strategies, testing them in order to become more theological and at the same time more practical in their ministry;
  3. to sharpen the ability to recognize problems and challenges in the parish, to design and implement programs for action, and to evaluate their worth;
  4. to develop meaningful, interactive relationship with their professional peers and with the members of their congregations, each supporting the other.
  5. To extend competence in their leadership in their parish or special ministry by stimulating others.
  6. to give deeper theological understanding and insights and learn how to intergrate theology and practice more effectively;
  7. to develop a bent of mind that searches for new strategies, testing them in order to become more theological and at the same time more practical in their ministry;
  8. to sharpen the ability to recognize problems and challenges in the parish, to design and implement programs for action, and to evaluate their worth;
  9. to develop meaningful, interactive relationship with their professional peers and with the members of their congregations, each supporting the other
  10. To extend competence in their leadership in their parish or special ministry by stimulating others.

As much as possible the American program utilizes the candidate’s own work setting as a primary learning resource. Much of the course work involves in-service projects of direct benefit to the candidate’s ministry. Regular classroom time, spent primarily in Los Angeles, provides
occasions for disciplined study, critical reflection, and evaluation on ministry issues.

American theological Seminary offers a special Seasonal Study (two weeks) program. This is designed to meet the special needs of pastors in multicultural environments and courses offered provide a concentration in cross-cultural ministry. Two-Week intensive sessions normally are held in May, August and November.
 
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  1. At least three years of ministerial experience, preferably five.
  2. Exceptions may be determined by the Committee on Postgraduate Professional Studies.
  3. The Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent.
  4. Ideally, service in their current ministry for the duration of the program.
  5. Remittance of the $100 non-refundable application fee.
 
STANDARDS
No course which receives a grade below B (3.00) may be counted toward the required credit hours, and a 3.50 average or higher must be maintained in the overall program.
 
THEOLOGICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARY USE
All postgraduate students are required to take 535-Theological Bibliography and Library Use. This should be taken as early as possible in the student’s program.
 
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
In order to provide the postgraduate students with an opportunity to pursue areas of special interest, independent studies may be arranged with individual members of the faculty. Before registering for any independent study, the student must make sure that he has ascertained all of the
requirements set forth by the professor, including consultations, and that he is familiar with any catalog stipulations concerning such courses.
 
BECOMING A CANDIDATE FOR THE DEGREE
Acceptance, candidature, and graduation are the three formal steps in the postgraduate program. The middle step, candidature, has been instituted because experience has shown that by the midpoint of the student’s program the faculty must assure itself that certain requirements have been accomplished and that the student is moving in the proper direction for the successful completion of the program.
A student enrolled in the postgraduate doctoral program Must register for and completed a minimum of 12 hours of course work subsequent to achieving candidature status. These
12 hours do not include any credit hours devoted to work on the thesis.

To attain candidature the student must meet the Following requirements:

  1. Give proof of ability to do postgraduate work with a a 3.50 grade point average or higher.
  2. Pass comprehensive examinations in Systematic Theology, Hebrew, and Greek. Guidelines for Preparation for the language exams are available from The office of the Director of Postgraduate Studies.
  3. Receive faculty approval of the proposed dissertation topic.
 
THE DISSERTATION
Six credit hours are awarded to the student upon faculty acceptance of his dissertation. The dissertation must demonstrate that the student has achieved the following:
  1. Independent scholarly research with penetrating analysis of key issues;
  2. Ability to conduct scholarly research on the basis of modern language source and tools;
  3. Critical analysis and logical reasoning;
  4. Ability to communicate clearly and accurately all scholarly findings;
  5. In-depth interpretation of significant, relevant texts.

The dissertation must conform in style and mechanics to the “Guideline for postgraduate Thesis Preparation” which is available from the Director of Postgraduate Studies.
Throughout the preparation of the work, the postgraduate is expected to be in consultation with his advisory committee through its chairperson.

At an appointed date near the end of the program, each candidate must defend his thesis before the faculty in a special oral examination. The dissertation must be entirely completed, submitted, and accepted by the prescribed date in May in order for the candidate to graduate. The dissertation shall be submitted in triplicate for binding; one copy will be placed in the library, one copy will remain with the faculty advisor, and the third copy will be returned as the student’s
personal copy.
 
DISSERTATION CALENDAR
(Dates falling on a weekend extend to the Monday following)
October 15 Final date for faculty approval of thesis topic;
November 1 Date for submission of outline for research and
Basic bibliography to advisory chairperson.
March 1 Date for submission of first draft, in duplicate, To the advisory committee chairperson (to be Returned in Seven days)
April 15 Date for submission of completed dissertation in triplicate to the chairperson of the advisory committee for consideration by the faculty.
April 20-30 Period of oral examination.
May 15 Date for submission of finished copy, incorporating any final revisions recommended by the faculty. Dissertation must be submitted in triplicate to the chairperson of the advisory
committee.

The postgraduate student should understand that the above calendar sets forth only a minimum number of demand dates. Between the various dates and requirements stated above, the student must take the initiative to insure that he has periodic consultations with the chairperson of his advisory committee. This is necessary in order to make certain throughout the work that both the research and the writing are proceeding in a satisfactory direction.