Earlham College

What you'll study

Students complete 42 semester hours including a nine-hour thesis project and, for many, a language requirement. The programme combines foundational coursework, core requirements across biblical, theological and historical studies, elective credits, and a 12-hour concentration chosen to support thesis research.

• Foundational courses (9 hours): BS 101, B 102, and TS 101 are expected prerequisites; students with prior study may substitute by passing proficiency exams.
• Core requirements (9 hours): one advanced Biblical course (300+ or a biblical language), one advanced Theological Studies course (300+ with one course being Constructive Theology), and one Historical Studies course chosen from History of Christianity I, History of Christianity II, or American Religious History.
• Area of concentration (12 hours): choose Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Quaker Studies, or Peace and Justice Studies; the student and thesis chair design a 300-level (or language) course program to prepare the thesis.
• Elective (3 hours): one elective; language or research-skill coursework may satisfy this credit.
• Thesis (9 hours): either a single unified monograph or three related papers combined into a single monograph; the final monograph normally totals about 25,000 words. The student registers for thesis credits and conducts independent research under an M.A. Guidance Committee chair. Expect at least two major revisions before final acceptance.

Entry requirements

The programme text describes residential and Access enrolment options and an Occasional Student pathway for those wishing to take up to two ESR courses per semester (levels 100–200, or 300 with instructor permission). After completing 18 semester hours, a student may petition for appointment of an M.A. Guidance Committee and present a thesis proposal; approval admits the student to degree candidacy. Many students must also meet a language requirement, which is satisfied by examination.

Career prospects

Graduates develop advanced research and master-level writing skills suited to academic careers, doctoral study, teaching in Quaker or other parochial secondary schools, and scholarly vocations. Past graduates have moved into doctoral programmes and published scholarship based on M.A. research.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The programme page does not list funding specifics. Prospective applicants should consult Earlham College/ESR financial aid offices for internal scholarships, assistantships or tuition information, and explore external fellowships and research grants appropriate to graduate theological study.