Academic M.A. Concentrations
For those students in the Academic M.A. degree program (Bible, History of Christianity, Systematic Theology & Justice and Reconciliation), the writing projects are done independently. However, students will register for the half credit SG0620 Research Capstone Course in the fall semester and then be placed in the half credit SG0621 Structured Conversations in the spring semester.
Project Options
All students pursuing an academic Master of Arts will demonstrate their proficiency in their respective fields by means of a final writing project, which includes an ability to deal with the conventions of academic work at the master’s level, ability to synthesize their learning and ability to do significant independent scholarly work. The norm for this requirement will be two research papers of 25-40 pages in length.
Project Instructions
Students should begin consideration of their writing projects early in their program in consultation with their faculty advisor, academic advisor, or course instructor. The student shall find two appropriate capstone readers. The first capstone reader is normally a Luther Seminary faculty member specifically related to the student’s area of concentration. The second reader can come from the same or a related area of concentration. It is also possible to have the second reader be from outside the faculty with permission of the division chair. Students should consult the MA Capstone Style Guide for more detailed information regarding the formatting of their paper.
Timelines:
Important dates associated with completion of a writing or ministry project. Please note that a failure to complete any of the deadlines can delay a student’s graduation.
For students intending to graduate in May
In the year in which a student plans to graduate, they shall submit the "Intent to Complete Writing or Ministry Project" form online on MyLutherNet. This form requires readers to be named and students must make contact with their reader before filling out this form. | Oct. 1 |
Students submit a short proposal that includes titles, short description and faculty reader names to their division. | Nov. 1 |
If the ministry project includes human subjects, the project must be reviewed and approved by the Luther Seminary Institutional Review Board (IRB)* | Nov. 15 |
Students must submit the final form of both papers to their readers for feedback and edits (Meeting this deadline is necessary for graduation) | March 15 |
The concluding structured conversation must be completed | May 1 |
* For further information, visit Institutional Review Board.
For students intending to graduate in December
In the year in which a student plans to graduate, they shall submit the "Intent to Complete Writing or Ministry Project" form online. This form requires readers to be named and students must make contact with their reader before filling out this form. | May 15 |
If the ministry project includes human subjects, the project must be reviewed and approved by the Luther Seminary Institutional Review Board (IRB)* | June 1 |
Students submit a short proposal that includes titles, short description and faculty reader names to their division. | June 15 |
Students must submit the final form of both papers to their readers for feedback and edits (Meeting this deadline is necessary for graduation) | Nov. 1 |
The concluding structured conversation must be completed | Dec. 1 |
* For further information, visit Institutional Review Board.