2006-2008 HBU Catalog - Houston Baptist University

program may add PSYC, 6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6105, 6106, EDUC 6310, EDUC6312, and EDUC 6301 in order to qualify for the Licensed Specialist in SchoolPsychology (LSSP).MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIESThe HBU Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) is designed to meet thespecific needs of those planning to enter vocational or bi-vocational church ministry,or of those already engaged in vocational or bi-vocational church ministry.The program is designed to enable the graduate student or graduate of this programto greater effectiveness and accomplishment in service through vocationalchurch ministry.The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) is also designed to enable graduatesto continue in additional graduate study or to develop programs of continuingeducation for personal growth in ministry. Students will study intensively in thefour major areas of theological studies: biblical, historical/theological, philosophical,and practical studies.The student will be responsible for critical essays on the major works in subjectcategories, ongoing oral evaluations by the tutor on knowledge in subject categories,a major paper, and a final exam. A student with less than a (3.0) average for aterm may enter a new term of work but will be on probation for that term. Shouldthe student have less than a “B” average at the end of the probationary term, thestudent will be suspended for one term after which a case review will determinewhether the student will be allowed to enter the program again. A category ofdiscipline mastered satisfactorily will be given an evaluation of “B-” to “A” anda student will receive the appropriate hours of graduate credit for the course.A course in which the student receives less than a “C-” will not count towardcompletion of the degree. The grading scale will be the University grading scaleas described in this Catalog.This degree requires 36 hours of course work. At the invitation of a professor,the last six hours may be taken as a thesis option. Students with an undergraduatemajor in Christianity, Religion, or Biblical Studies will be granted advancedstanding, and may begin work immediately in the 36-hour requirements for thedegree provided that other entrance criteria have been met. Other students will berequired to take 5300. Application for candidacy for the degree must be filed after27 hours of course work has been completed. Students in the Accelerated MATSprogram must file for candidacy after completion of 18 hours of course work.The Accelerated MATS (Master of Arts in Theological Studies)The Accelerated MATS program offers undergraduate Christianity majors an opportunityto begin work toward the MATS degree at the beginning of their lastterm of their junior year. By entering this track as an undergraduate, a student mayearn a MATS degree with one year of graduate studies after earning the BA or BSdegree. Complete requirements for this program are described in the “College ofArts and Humanities” section of this Catalog.Graduate Degree Program / 101