The S.T.M. is a research degree which aims to offer an in-depth training in a particular area of theological study. The S.T.M. candidate is required to take a minimum of eight courses or tutorials and to pass a general examination, covering his or her major field of study. The resources of the A.U.B. are available when needed to supplement the courses offered at the N.E.S.T. The student must then present an acceptable thesis representing an original contribution to his/her field of specialization and pass a final oral examination.

S.T.M. study is open only to students who hold an M.Div. or an equivalent degree and who are in a position to follow 24-credit hours at the School.

The thesis counts for an additional 6 credits. Registration for the thesis is the equivalent of 3 credits.

For specialization in the Biblical field a knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and Greek is required.

For specialization in Islamic studies a knowledge of classical Arabic is required. The student is expected to give evidence of having reached an adequate level of proficiency before being admitted to the degree program.

Upon admission, an Advisor and an Advisory Committee will be appointed to guide the student through each phase of the program.

A student in the S.T.M. program will be required to complete at least 24 credit hours of class work, half of which may be at the three hundred level. The student must achieve a grade average of at least 80 and an average of at least 85 in any 300 level courses. Courses completed at other institutions may be accepted by the Advisory Committee, but a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at the Near East School of Theology.

A student must pass the general examination at the end of the course work in his or her major field of study. This examination is conducted by the student’s Advisory Committee and shall be a 2-hour written exam. Upon the recommendation of his or her Committee, the student who fails this examination may be permitted to sit for another examination after an interval of three months. A student may not sit for the general examination more than twice.

A student is required to present a thesis for the S.T.M within 3 years after completion of the general examination. The thesis must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee, before he/she is allowed to take the final oral examination on the thesis and the field thereof.

One original and two copies of the thesis should be submitted by the student to the Advisor, who will in turn distribute copies to the members of the Advisory Committee. These copies must be submitted to the Advisor on the date assigned by the Advisory Committee.

Two copies of the approved thesis must be deposited in the N.E.S.T. Library before the student can receive his or her diploma.

The final oral examination on the thesis and the field thereof will be conducted by the student’s Advisory Committee.

A student who fails may sit for another examination after an interval of six months, but in no case may he or she sit for this examination more than twice.