Degree Planning

Students are required to meet the degree requirements set forth in the catalog in which they first began taking classes in a Master’s degree. If students reclassify, then he/she will be required to meet the degree requirements prescribed in that catalog. Each catalog covers one academic year (Fall-Summer). Because degrees can change from year to year, students are expected to know the requirements in their catalog and confirm courses and graduation plans with their academic advisor.

Each degree has a time limit identifying when students must complete all degree requirements. This time limit begins from the first class a student takes at DTS. Example: If a MACL student begins in Fall 2020, he/she has a 7-year time limit that ends in Summer 2027.

Some degrees require students take a certain number of courses in real-time (online or at a DTS location). The current real-time requirements and time limits are posted on the Degree Overview Chart. While not all degrees require real-time courses, students are encouraged to take BE, ST, or electives in real-time to make stronger connections with fellow students and faculty. If students reclassify to another degree, these real-time courses will help meet those requirements.

While the degree requirements will be the same for students in the same degree entering at the same time, each student’s degree completion plan will look different. The Advising Center wants to equip students to craft a personalized degree plan from the degree-specific advising pages linked above and other resources on our website. Each student’s life commitments, ministry direction, and financial situation are unique and need to be considered when developing a degree plan. Students should develop a plan that allows them to finish all requirements at least one-year prior to their degree time limit. Example: If a student’s time limit ends in Summer 2025, then the student’s degree plan should have the final class in Summer 2024.

Each catalog and degree-specific page has a general plan students may use in a preliminary fashion. These plans do take into account prerequisites but students should check the schedule page for any prerequisites needed in their degree or possible elective selection. Advisors are available to review a student’s degree plan by email or by appointment.

Advisors and students may have a clear and wise plan that takes into account life, finances, ministry, family, etc. However, we may need to revise and revisit these plans. It is best to meet with an academic advisor once a year to review your existing plan and identify your next steps. Or, your yearly advising meeting may be to revise your current degree plan or consider other degree options due to clarification regarding future ministry. Some students may need to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) when he/she does not plan to take a class, internship, or Spiritual Formation (SF) in a fall or spring semester.

We recognize these changes may be difficult. Academic advisors are available to help students evaluate their current degree plan, clarify future ministry direction, and identify possible next steps.