Accelerated Advanced Standing

For Dallas-campus students only

The Dallas campus Accelerated program replaces core DTS courses with accelerated versions. The application requires objective exams, submission of an academic artifact, and an interview. Through accelerated advanced standing, ThM students can reduce their program by 30 credit hours. Depending on the program, MA students can reduce their program by 15-16 credit hours. Accelerated advanced standing is available only to Dallas-campus students who matriculate fall 2014 or later.

Students who desire to reduce degree program credit hours at the degree program level must:

Requirements for Accelerated Advanced Standing

1. Submit evidence of formal or informal academic education
   Formal academic education includes satisfactory completion of significant undergraduate Bible and theology courses at an ABHE (Association of Biblical Higher Education) or CCCU (Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities) school . Informal academic education includes validated parachurch ministry training programs.  These currently include the following organizations: Kanakuk Institute (Branson, MO), The Forge (Tyler, TX), Young Guns (Denton, TX), Grace Fellows Program (College Station, TX), Downline Ministries (Little Rock, AR), BTCP/BTCL, Missionary Training Institute (Denton Bible Church), Women’s Discipleship Program (Denton Bible Church), Saturate Austin Institute, and Trek-X.
2. Complete an objective exam
   For the accelerated ThM program, students must take three (3) objective exams that assess a student’s competency in the following areas: Bible study methods and hermeneutics, spiritual life, evangelism, research methods, and biblical and theological knowledge. Students who desire to reduce language hours (either NT Greek or OT Hebrew) can choose to take additional exams. For an accelerated MA program, a student must take two (2) exams that assess a student’s competency in biblical and theological knowledge.
3. Submit a composition artifact of academic work (completed within one year prior to applying to DTS)
   A composition artifact normally includes a senior thesis, journal article, critical book review, or a research project in the area of Bible and/or theology. It is not a position paper. The artifact must be an unmarked copy of at least 2,500 words (no maximum) in the body of the paper (not including title page, bibliography, footnotes, etc.), have been completed, revised or updated within the last year, and reflect graduate-level aptitude in the following areas: biblical exposition, theological precision, logical and critical reasoning, awareness and understanding of contrary positions, research methods, communication in English, grammar and spelling, and the application of consistent writing form.
4. Interview with a member or members of the Advanced Standing Committee
   The Advanced Standing Committee will meet with applicants as the final phase of the advanced standing assessment process. This may be conducted in person or through a video-chat service (e.g., Skype).
5. Complete prescribed accelerated courses
   • In place of 28 prescribed MA hours, accelerated MA students (except MABEL) must satisfactorily complete the following 12 hours: AS5103, AS5104, AS5105, and AS5106. Additional reduction can occur through course-by-course examination, up to 25% of a student’s degree program.

Accelerated Master of Theology (ThM) Plan

Accelerated Master of Arts (MA) Plan

*For MACL, MACE, and MACS students the maximum hours saved is 15.

Search below to find out if your undergrad school or ministry program qualifies you to apply to the Accelerated Advanced Standing program.