ThM: PRTS or CBTS?

[Da_Lucem_Domine]

Brethren,

In consideration of future studies, I would love to pursue a ThM in historical theology. Lord willing, I will begin applying for programs within this year. This is wedded with a potential desire to apply for doctoral research following this degree.

With that said, CBTS and PRTS are two institutions I am currently wrestling with. Should PhD work be a potential, I would love to study at PRTS. I have heard, however, that the best chance to be accepted at PRTS is to be in their ThM program. On the other hand, I would love to study at a confessionally 2LBCF institution, like CBTS, pursuing ThM research on one like Spurgeon or other English Particular Baptists. To give further context, my undergraduate degree is from Spurgeon College and my MDiv comes from MBTS.

Would anyone care to share their experience at either institution? I know the ThM program is still fairly new at CBTS. Any comments are helpful!

Blessings.

 

[Deleted member 9611]

I am a ThM student at PRTS, in the Systematics track, and have nothing but positive things to say about the institution. I am relatively early on - have only completed 9 of the required 30 credits - but it has been a wonderful experience. Class sizes are relatively small (very small in some cases), which fosters a lot of discussion with the Profs. Obviously a conservative and confessional school, but I have not gotten the impression at all of an 'us verses them' mentality that I have experienced in other conservative contexts.

 

[Da_Lucem_Domine]

I am a ThM student at PRTS, in the Systematics track, and have nothing but positive things to say about the institution. I am relatively early on - have only completed 9 of the required 30 credits - but it has been a wonderful experience. Class sizes are relatively small (very small in some cases), which fosters a lot of discussion with the Profs. Obviously a conservative and confessional school, but I have not gotten the impression at all of an 'us verses them' mentality that I have experienced in other conservative contexts.

Thanks for the reply, Mason. This is helpful. Is your ThM terminal or are you desiring to pursue doctoral studies?

 

[Deleted member 9611]

Thanks for the reply, Mason. This is helpful. Is your ThM terminal or are you desiring to pursue doctoral studies?

Jury is out on that one. It is possible to apply for the Thesis track after taking a number of classes.

 

[Timotheos]

I teach at CBTS and currently have 1 ThM student (NT studies). I think you'll find that if you check with PRTS, they will tell you if they would accept an MBTS MDiv and CBTS ThM into their PhD program. I'm almost positive they would. Feel free to contact me with more questions if you like.

 

[sgemmen9]

Brethren,

In consideration of future studies, I would love to pursue a ThM in historical theology. Lord willing, I will begin applying for programs within this year. This is wedded with a potential desire to apply for doctoral research following this degree.

With that said, CBTS and PRTS are two institutions I am currently wrestling with. Should PhD work be a potential, I would love to study at PRTS. I have heard, however, that the best chance to be accepted at PRTS is to be in their ThM program. On the other hand, I would love to study at a confessionally 2LBCF institution, like CBTS, pursuing ThM research on one like Spurgeon or other English Particular Baptists. To give further context, my undergraduate degree is from Spurgeon College and my MDiv comes from MBTS.

Would anyone care to share their experience at either institution? I know the ThM program is still fairly new at CBTS. Any comments are helpful!

Blessings.

I can't speak for CBTS but I took ThM and doctoral courses at PRTS. (Not an entire degree, just transferred classes). It is a fine school with a high standard for writing and researching. They're Reformed, confessional, and orthodox--I would highly recommend PRTS.