Graduate Degree Programs
The Master of Sacred Theology is a graduate program designed academically to prepare students for ordination to the Priesthood. This program is 64 credit hours in length. Requirements to enter the STM: a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. No previous academic work in religion is required. At least 40 credit hours must be completed at St. Andrew’s. Digital copies of many required textbooks are provided to the student at no additional charge.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Meet canonical requirements for ordination to the sacred ministry.
Exhibit excellence in conducting public worship and administering the sacraments according to the
Book of Common Prayer.
Demonstrate competence to teach and preach the word of God.
Display the pastoral skills necessary for a variety of ministerial contexts.
The STM is divided into three instructional programs. A typical sequence of courses:
Diaconal Instruction Program (DIP): Courses required for ordination to the Diaconate:
TH 500: The Holy Order of the Church (2 hours)
TH 520: The Spiritual Formation of Clergy (2 hours) TH 550: Liturgical Theology (3 hours)
AP 501: Anglican Apologetics (3 hours)
CH 502: Survey of Church History (3 hours)
BC 505: General Introduction to the Bible (3 hours) TH 600: Catholic Theology (3 hours)
*MI 507: Aspirant’s Seminar (1 hour)
*MI 657: Liturgical Seminar for Deacons (2 hours)
22 total credit hours
Homiletics Instruction Program (HIP): Courses required for granting the License to Preach:
BC 515: Special Introduction to the Old Testament (3 Hours)
BC 525: Survey of the Apocrypha (3 hours)
BC 535: Special Introduction to the New Testament (3 hours)
BC 655: Sermon Preparation and Homiletics (3 hours)
6 additional credit hours in Bible
*MI 667: Homiletics Seminar (2 hours)
20 total credit hours
Priest’s Instructional Program (PIP): Courses required for ordination to the Priesthood:
TH 610: Sacramental Theology: Holy Baptism and Confirmation (2 hours)
TH 620: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion (2 hours)
TH 630: Holy Matrimony (2 hours)
TH 640: Penance, Unction, and Spiritual Direction (2 hours)
TH 650: Ecclesiology of the Early Church (3 hours)
MI 517: Foundations of Christian Education (3 credit hours)
MI 607: Parish Administration (3 hours)
MI 527: Pastoral Counseling (3 hours)
*MI 677: Liturgical Seminar for Priests (2 hours)
22 total credit hours
*Required for ordination in the Orthodox Anglican Church. Students in other jurisdictions should contact their bishop for appropriate liturgical training; electives shall be substituted for liturgical seminars.
The Master of Biblical Theology is a 36 credit hour graduate Bible program designed to prepare students to serve God in the faithful teaching and applying of Holy Scripture. Bible studies are directed by a traditional, Trinitarian, and historically orthodox Christian standard of interpretation. Requirements to enter the MBTh: a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. No previous academic work in religion is required. At least 24 credit hours must be earned at St. Andrew’s. Digital copies of many required textbooks are provided to the student at no additional charge.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Demonstrate competence to teach and/or preach the word of God.
Display advanced biblical scholarship in the exposition of Holy Scripture.
Articulate Bible truth for the defense of the church and the expansion of the faith.
Evidence a biblical foundation for daily life.
BC 505: General Introduction to the Bible (3 hours)
BC 545: Geography of the Bible (3 credit hours)
BC 605: Inductive Bible Study Methods (3 credit hours) *BC 655: Sermon Preparation and Homiletics (3 hours) *MI 667: Homiletics Seminar (2 hours)
6 additional credit hours of bible
6 credit hours of biblical languages
6 additional credit hours in theology and/or apologetics 6 additional credit hours in practical theology*Required for the License to Preach in the Orthodox Anglican Church. Students in other jurisdictions should contact their bishop for appropriate homiletic training.
The Master of Theological Studies is a 41credit hour graduate Theology program designed to prepare students to serve God in the Holy Order of the Church. Studies are directed according to the standards of doctrine, discipline and worship of the 1928 and 1662 editions of the Book of Common Prayer. Requirements to enter the MTS.: a Bachelor’s degree in Bible from a recognized institution. At least 26 credit hours must be earned at St. Andrew’s. Digital copies of many required textbooks are provided to the student at no additional charge.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Meet canonical requirements for ordination to the sacred ministry.
Exhibit excellence in conducting public worship and administering the sacraments according to the
Book of Common Prayer.
Display the pastoral skills necessary for a variety of ministerial contexts.
The MTS is divided into two instructional programs. A typical sequence of courses:
Diaconal Instruction Program (DIP): Courses required for ordination to the Diaconate:
TH 500: The Holy Order of the Church (2 hours)
TH 520: The Spiritual Formation of Clergy (2 hours) TH 550: Liturgical Theology (3 hours)
AP 501: Anglican Apologetics (3 hours)
CH 502: Survey of Church History (3 hours)
TH 600: Catholic Theology (3 hours)
*MI 507: Aspirant’s Seminar (1 hour)
*MI 657: Liturgical Seminar for Deacons (2 hours)
19 total credit hours
Priest’s Instructional Program (PIP): Courses required for ordination to the Priesthood:
TH 610: Sacramental Theology: Holy Baptism and Confirmation (2 hours) TH 620: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion (2 hours)
TH 630: Holy Matrimony (2 hours)
TH 640: Penance, Unction, and Spiritual Direction (2 hours)
TH 650: Ecclesiology of the Early Church (3 hours)
MI 517: Foundations of Christian Education (3 credit hours) MI 607: Parish Administration (3 hours)
MI 527: Pastoral Counselling (3 hours)
*MI 677: Liturgical Seminar for Priests (2 hours)
22 total credit hours
*Required for ordination in the Orthodox Anglican Church. Students in other jurisdictions should contact their bishop for appropriate liturgical training; electives shall be substituted for liturgical seminars.
The Licentiate in Anglican Theology is a 15 credit hour graduate-level academic program limited to those who possess a Master’s degree in a religious discipline from a recognized institution, and who possess ministerial experience, and who intend to move from their present faith tradition to ministry in an Anglican ecclesial body. Studies are directed according to the standards of doctrine, discipline and worship of the 1928 and 1662 editions of the Book of Common Prayer.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Exhibit excellence in conducting public worship and administering the sacraments according to the Book of Common Prayer
Effectively articulate orthodox Anglican doctrine.
TH 500: The Holy Order of the Church (2 hours)
TH 550: Liturgical Theology (3 hours)
AP 501: Anglican Apologetics (3 hours)
TH 620: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion (2 hours)Core Courses: 10 credit hours
At least 5 credit hours of elective studies, selected among the following courses:TH 610: Sacramental Theology: Holy Baptism and Confirmation (2 hours) TH 630: Holy Matrimony (2 hours)
TH 640: Penance, Unction, and Spiritual Direction (2 hours)
TH 520: The Spiritual Formation of Clergy (2 credit hours)BC 525: Survey of the Apocrypha (3 hours)
TH 650: Ecclesiology of the Early Church (3 credit hours)
Course Listing and Descriptions: Graduate
The Department of History, Biblical Literature, and Apologetics:
BC 505: General Introduction to the Bible (3 credit hours) BC 515: Survey of the Old Testament (3 credit hours)
BC 525: Survey of the Apocrypha (3 credit hours)
BC 535: Survey of the New Testament (3 credit hours)
BC 545: Geography of the Bible (3 credit hours)
BC 605: Inductive Bible Study Methods (3 credit hours)
BC 615: Old Testament History and Theology 1 (4 credit hours) BC 625: Old Testament History and Theology 2 (4 credit hours) BC 635: New Testament History and Theology 1 (4 credit hours) BC 645: New Testament History and Theology 2 (4 credit hours) BC 655: Sermon Preparation and Homiletics (3 credit hours)
BL 606: New Testament Greek for Ministry 1 (4 credit hours)
BL 616: New Testament Greek for Ministry 2 (4 credit hours) CH 502: Survey of Church History (3 credit hours)
AP 501: Anglican Apologetics (3 credit hours)
The Department of Theology and Philosophy:
TH 500: The Holy Order of the Church (2 credit hours)
TH 520: The Spiritual Formation of Clergy (2 credit hours)
TH 550: Liturgical Theology (3 credit hours)
TH 600: Catholic Theology (3 credit hours)
TH 610: Sacramental Theology: Baptism and Confirmation (2 credit hours) TH 620: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion (2 credit hours)
TH 630: Holy Matrimony (2 credit hours)
TH 640: Penance, Unction and Spiritual Direction (2 credit hours)
TH 650: Ecclesiology of the Early Church (3 credit hours)
The Department of Practical Theology:
MI 507: Aspirant’s Seminar (1 credit hour)
MI 517: Foundations of Christian Education (3 credit hours) MI 607: Parish Administration (3 credit hours)
MI 527: Pastoral Counseling (3 credit hours)
MI 657: Liturgical Seminar for Deacons (2 credit hours)
MI 667: Homiletics Seminar (2 credit hours)
MI 677: Liturgical Seminar for Priests (2 credit hours)
Department of History, Biblical Literature, and Apologetics
BC 505: General Introduction to the Bible
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is intended as a first introduction to the Bible. After completing this course, the student should be able to use biblical notation accurately, be aware of several hermeneutical traditions for the interpretation of scripture, have a general knowledge as to the major events in biblical history, and begin to discuss the meaning of scriptural texts.
BC 515: Survey of the Old Testament
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: To impart an introductory knowledge and appreciation of the structure, literary styles, major theological and historical themes, and personalities of the Old Testament.
BC 525: Survey of the Apocrypha
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: To impart an introductory knowledge and appreciation of the structure, literary styles, major theological and historical themes, and personalities of the Old Testament Apocryphal literature.
BC 535: Survey of the New Testament
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: To impart an introductory knowledge and appreciation of the structure, literary styles, major theological and historical themes, and personalities of the New Testament.
BC 545: Geography of the Bible
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: To impart knowledge of the physical, political, climatological, cultural, and economic conditions and factors of the Holy Land as presented in scripture, from the Old Testament period to the triumph of Christianity in the Fourth century.
BC 605: Inductive Bible Study Methods
3 credit hours
Course Objectives: Inductive Bible Study is designed to introduce students to the process of Bible study through an in-depth system of reading, interpretation and application. Students will gain skills in reading to understand the Bible and applying the Bible to all aspects of life. The student will also become comfortable using Bible study tools as they process through the course. Students will study Ephesians as they complete the course.
BC 615: Old Testament History and Theology 1
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is a detailed examination of the history and theology of from the creation of the world (Genesis) to the period of the Judges (ending with the book of Ruth). After successfully taking this course, a student should possess an in-depth, expository knowledge of the relevant portions of Old Testament history and doctrine; to understand and be able to discuss the relationship between the relevant portions of the Old Testament and the revelation of Jesus Christ; to facilitate the student’s ability to preach expository sermons from the books studied.
BC 625: Old Testament History and Theology 2
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is a detailed examination of the history and theology of the Hebrew monarchies, captivity, and post-exilic periods. After successfully taking this course, a student should possess an in-depth, expository knowledge of the relevant portions of Old Testament history and doctrine; to understand and be able to discuss the relationship between the relevant portions of the Old Testament and the revelation of Jesus Christ; to facilitate the student’s ability to preach expository sermons from the books studied.
BC 635: New Testament History and Theology 1: The Gospels
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is a detailed examination of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ as presented in the canonical Gospels. After successfully taking this course, a student should possess an in-depth, expository knowledge of the relevant portions of the Gospels; to understand and be able to discuss the relationship between the relevant portions of the four canonical Gospels; to facilitate the student’s ability to preach expository sermons from the books studied.
BC 645: New Testament History and Theology 2: Apostolic Writings
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is a detailed examination of the history and theology of the Acts of the Apostles, the Catholic and the Pauline Epistles. After successfully taking this course, a student should possess an in-depth, expository knowledge of the relevant portions of these Apostolic writings, their history and doctrine; to understand and be able to discuss the relationship between these writings and the revelation of Jesus Christ; to facilitate the student’s ability to preach expository sermons from the books studied.
BC 655: Sermon Preparation and Homiletics
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: After successfully completing this course, the student will demonstrate knowledge and application of traditional methods of sermon research, preparation, and delivery by writing his own
28
sermons based upon the Eucharistic lectionary in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. BL 606: New Testament Greek for Ministry 1
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is the first of a two-part sequence in New Testament Greek, the objectives of which are: 1. To learn the basic elements of New Testament Greek grammar including phonology, morphology, and syntax; 2. To learn a basic vocabulary consisting of words which occur fifty or more times in the Greek New Testament; 3. To learn the major idioms of the Greek New Testament; 4. To begin to understand how to use the New Testament Greek text in exegetical, theological, and biblical study issues; 5. To begin to recognize in Greek the various genres of literature and to get a sense of various author’s styles contained in the New Testament; 6. To fall in love more deeply with God’s Word, both the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ Himself, and the written word, the New Testament.
BL 616: New Testament Greek for Ministry 2
4 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This course is the second of a two-part sequence in New Testament Greek, the objectives for which are listed above, under BC 465.
CH 502: Survey of Church History
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: The core purpose of this course is to provide the student with a wide knowledge of the major historical events and persons in the Christian Church, with a special emphasis on the events and personalities of the English Reformation and the subsequent growth of Anglicanism into a global Faith. After completing this course, students should be able to identify major events and figures in Church history, especially Anglican history, and have the ability to discuss the impact these events and persons had on the development of doctrine, on the Catholic Church and on the world.
CH 642: History of the Early British Church
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: An in depth examination and discussion, using translations of primary historical materials, of the early Church in Britain. Students will gain knowledge of the theology and practices of the early Church, as well as experience in discussing these ideas for their impact on historic and current theological problems.
AP 501: Anglican Apologetics
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: The three general objectives of this course are, first, to introduce the student to the basic definition of, and tenets of, Orthodox Anglicanism; second, to enable the student to compare and contrast Orthodox Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism, liberal Protestantism and Fundamentalism. Students who complete this course will be able to discuss, demonstrate, and defend their faith position as Orthodox Anglicans.
Department of Theology and Philosophy
TH 500: The Holy Order of the Church
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: After completing this course, the student will have knowledge and understanding of Holy Orders from scriptural, historic, and theological perspectives, thereby gaining a deeper and more personal insight into his own vocational calling and the structure of the threefold ministry in which he is seeking to be ordained. The student will accomplish the course objectives by reading the assigned texts and providing brief written answers to the questions assigned for the given readings.
TH 520: Spiritual Formation of Clergy
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: The goal of this course is to gain an understanding and knowledge of spiritual formation from a theological understanding of prayer and life of prayer. Student Outcomes: to develop to a greater degree his own spiritual life; gain a deeper knowledge and communion with God through the development and practice of a Rule of Prayer; to better care for other souls in his priestly vocation.
TH 550: Liturgical Theology
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: After completing this course, the student will have a basic knowledge and understanding of the history, development, and theology of worship, specifically worship directed by The Book of Common Prayer. The student will learn the structure of Prayer Book services and basic procedures to use The Book of Common Prayer in public worship. The student will gain appreciation for the orthodox editions of the Prayer Book and be able to identify theological aberrations found in the newer editions of alternative Anglican service books.
TH 600: Catholic Theology
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: To provide students a basic knowledge and understanding of many of the divisions of systematic theology, including Theology proper, Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology, Christology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. To provide the student insight as to the differences between Western and Eastern approaches to theology. To provide the student insight as to the differences between Catholic and Protestant approaches to theology, and to provide the student the theological tools to identify and discuss heretical writings and thought.
TH 610: Sacramental Theology: Baptism and Confirmation
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: After completing this course, the student will have knowledge and understanding of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation from an historical, theological, and practical perspective, and should be able adequately to explain the theology, rites, and ceremony of these sacraments to candidates for baptism and confirmation. The student will accomplish this by reading the assigned texts and providing brief written answers to the questions assigned for the given readings.
TH 620: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will have a firm grasp of the sacrament that is the highest form of worship in the Church, Holy Communion. The student will come to understand the terminology and theology of the Eucharist and become familiar with its history, as well as the major controversies that have surrounded this sacrament throughout the centuries.
TH 630: Holy Matrimony
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The student will learn the theology of marriage and divorce as it is understood from Scripture and Tradition, and as has been handed down from the Apostolic Church. The student will further learn and understand the contemporary issues that impact marriage including the redefining of marriage, same-sex marriage, cohabiting, and others, in order to be better equipped to deal with these issues in a pastoral setting.
TH 640: Penance, Unction, and Spiritual Direction
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: After completion of this course, the student will have a working understanding of the sacraments of Penance and Unction. The student will come to understand the terminology, historical and biblical background, theology, and practical aspects necessary to administer these sacraments. The student will also gain practical knowledge and understanding of the role of the spiritual director and be able to apply this knowledge to the spiritual life of others.
TH 650: Ecclesiology of the Early Church
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: The core purpose of this course is an historical and theological study that explores the development of the structure of the Church during the first three centuries, and the linkage that is found between that of the Bishop as it is embodied in the celebration of the Eucharist and his role as the leader and unifier of the local community and representative of the universal Church. The student will learn that in the Early Church, and even today, the Eucharist is not presbyerti-centric but an episcopo-centric in nature. Scripture as well as the Early Church Fathers understood that the celebration of the Eucharist required more that just a priest; it demanded a gathering of all the members of the local community, including all the orders of that community, including the direct or indirect presence of the Bishop as the representative of Christ. The course will make clear to the student how far the Church today has come from the original positions and beliefs of the Early Church as to the functions and roles of Bishop, priest, parish, Eucharist, and Church.
Suggested Prerequisites:
TH 300: The Holy Order of the Church
TH 420: Sacramental Theology: Holy Communion
Department of Practical Theology
MI 507: Aspirant’s Seminar
1 Credit Hour
Course Objectives: This week-end long seminar, limited to those seeking to be ordained or incardinated into The Orthodox Anglican Church, is an exploration of one’s call into ordained ministry in the Anglican tradition, an introduction to the high expectations and responsibilities of the clerical state, and instruction on the protocol of the Church. Each seminar is limited to six students.
MI 517: Foundations of Christian Education
3 credit hours
Course Objectives: Christian Education Foundations is a course designed to provide seminarians with the historical foundations of Christian education. Students will learn about the history of Christian education in the Church, explore the history of educational philosophies that have shaped Christian education, and examine foundational information for creating a Christian education program within a parish. Students will also complete a final project addressing one of the main topics explored in the class.
MI 607: Parish Administration
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: Although the course is described as Parish Administration, the content of the work is concerned with all of the many activities in which a parish priest ultimately is the director, administrator, manager or leader. Especially in smaller churches, the priest must “wear many hats” and since he is constantly in plain view of his parishioners, he must wear them all effectively. After successful completion of this course, students will have explored the inner dynamics of their commitment to pastoral ministry and acquire the basic tools for the establishment, growth, and administration of a parish.
MI 527: Pastoral Counseling
3 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This focus of this course is an examination of the attitudes the counselor takes into the counseling situation. Recognizing that we cannot divorce ourselves from ourselves, an awareness of our beliefs, convictions, prejudices, reactions and style of interaction are as crucial to competent counseling as the basic academic skills of counseling. This examination will help to prepare the student for beginning approaches to pastoral counseling situations.
MI 657: Liturgical Seminar for Deacons
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This week-end seminar, limited to those who are ordained, seeking to be ordained or incardinated into The Orthodox Anglican Church, is an in depth and intensive study of the liturgical role and activities of deacons in the Church. Lecture and personal, one-on-one instruction is provided. Each seminar is limited to four students.
MI 667: Homiletics Seminar
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This week-end long seminar, limited to those who are ordained, seeking to be ordained or incardinated into The Orthodox Anglican Church, provides focused and practical instruction on public speaking, the use of the voice, sermon preparation and delivery. Successful completion of this seminar and BC 455 can qualify students to receive the License to Preach in the Orthodox Anglican Church.
Suggested prerequisite: BC 455: Sermon Preparation and Homiletics MI 677: Liturgical Seminar for Priests
2 Credit Hours
Course Objectives: This week-end seminar, limited to those who are ordained or seeking to be incardinated into The Orthodox Anglican Church, is an in depth and intensive study of the liturgical role and activities of priests in the Church. Lecture and personal, one-on-one instruction is provided. Each seminar is limited to four students.