Program in Liturgical Studies — Degrees and Requirements
Master of Arts in Religion - concentration in liturgical studies
Concentration in Liturgical Studies requires eighteen credit hours of study in the major area, including the introductory core course of the program, Foundations of Christian Worship, REL 782. Students must take nine credit hours of limited electives in liturgical studies, three with an historical focus, three with a theological focus, and three with a strong methodological or practical component. The remaining six credits may be taken as electives, but students are strongly encouraged to seek out a course in their own denominational worship tradition.
The remaining thirty credits required for the M.A.R. with a concentration in liturgical studies will be taken in the various areas of study of the Divinity School and Institute Curricula, according to a student’s academic interests and professional goals and in consultation with faculty in the area of concentration.
Master of Sacred Theology
Candidates for the concentrated S.T.M. in Liturgical Studies must complete twenty-four credit hours of study, eighteen of which must be in the major area. Six credits may be satisfied by reading courses and/or thesis work. If not previously taken, the following courses are required: the introductory core course, Foundations of Christian Worship, REL 782, and nine credits of limited electives in liturgical studies, three with an historical focus, three with a theological orientation, and three with a strong methodological or practical component. An extended paper or an independent thesis (one- or two-term option) is required for the S.T.M. degree. In addition, ISM students also present their work at the Institute Colloquium.
The work for this degree may be regarded as a fourth year of preparation for the Christian ministry. The S.T.M. program may also be used as a year of specialized work in one of the theological disciplines or as preparation for doctoral studies. The schedule of courses may involve offerings in other schools or departments of the University.
Each candidate is required to plan, submit for approval, and pursue an integrated program designed to serve either of the purposes stated above. A minimum of three-fourths of the courses taken must be related to a designated field of concentration.
A candidate for the S.T.M. degree must complete the equivalent of at least twenty-four term hours of graduate study beyond the B.D., M.Div., or equivalent degree. Only course work graded High Pass or above is credited toward the S.T.M. degree. A thesis, major paper in a regular course, or other acceptable project in the selected field of study is required. It must demonstrate the ability to do independent research. Students writing theses or projects are required to register in REL 999, S.T.M. Thesis or Project.
The work for the degree may be taken in one year, or distributed over two, three, or four years; it must be completed within four years of matriculation. In the case of students who wish to extend their studies, nine term hours is the minimum course load that can be regarded as a full-time program of studies. Normally, no work taken prior to matriculation will be counted toward the degree, nor will credit be transferred from other schools unless approval to utilize a course to be taken elsewhere has been given in advance.
More detailed information about the S.T.M. degree and requirements is in the Yale Divinity School bulletin.
Transfer Students
All YDS students who transfer to the ISM shall attend the ISM Colloquium for the remaining time in their program. The requirements for the number of ISM courses and the Colloquium presentation may be adjusted. The students are otherwise required to fulfill all curricular requirements expected of ISM students.
M.A.R. students in the ISM who wish to transfer to the M.Div. program must apply to the ISM faculty for admission and a third year of ISM funding. Applications are due by October 1 of the third term of a student’s concentrated M.A.R. program. Admission and funding decisions will be announced by November 15 of that term.
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Liturgical Studies
The Yale Institute of Sacred Music will sponsor two postdoctoral fellowships in liturgical studies each academic year beginning in 2011-2012. For more information click here.
updated July 2011 |
