TKC ACADEMIC THESIS & DISSERTATION FRAMEWORK

For Master’s (MDiv / MA) and Doctoral (DMin / PhD) Programs

I. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Master’s Thesis (MDiv / MA)

Length: ~125 pages minimum
Sources: minimum 150 academic citations
Purpose: Demonstrate mastery of biblical, theological, and pastoral scholarship
Contribution: Integration of academic research with ministry praxis

Doctoral Dissertation (DMin / PhD)

Length: ~250 pages minimum
Sources: minimum 350 academic references
Purpose: Produce original research contributing to biblical, theological, or pastoral scholarship
Contribution: Publishable academic work advancing kingdom scholarship

II. FORMATTING & STYLE STANDARDS

All TKC academic writing should follow:

Turabian / Chicago Manual of Style (9th ed.)
Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
Spacing: Double spaced (footnotes single spaced)
Page size: 8.5 x 11
Use of original languages (Hebrew/Greek) where appropriate

III. THESIS / DISSERTATION STRUCTURE

FRONT MATTER

Title Page
Approval Page (Advisor / Committee)
Abstract (300–500 words)
Dedication (optional)
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations
Preface (optional)

CORE BODY STRUCTURE

CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION & RESEARCH PROBLEM

Research problem
Research question(s)
Thesis statement
Significance of study
Scope & delimitations
Definitions of key terms
Methodology overview
Structure of dissertation

CHAPTER 2 — LITERATURE REVIEW

Survey of key scholarly voices
Major theological positions
Historical development of the topic
Gaps in scholarship
TKC theological context and framework

CHAPTER 3 — BIBLICAL EXEGESIS

Close textual study
Hebrew/Greek analysis
Canonical context
Intertextuality
Second Temple and ANE background

CHAPTER 4 — HISTORICAL & THEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Patristic witness
Medieval and Reformation perspectives
Modern scholarship
Denominational traditions
Global church perspectives

CHAPTER 5 — SYSTEMATIC & THEOLOGICAL SYNTHESIS

Doctrinal implications
Philosophical theology
Ethical considerations
Ecclesiological implications
Eschatological considerations (where relevant)

CHAPTER 6 — PRACTICAL / PASTORAL APPLICATION

Ministry implications
Discipleship framework
Counseling / shepherding application
Kingdom praxis model
Case studies (optional)

CHAPTER 7 — CONCLUSION

Summary of findings
Contributions to scholarship
Implications for church and academy
Areas for future research

BACK MATTER

Bibliography (primary + secondary sources)
Appendices (if applicable)
Index (doctoral level recommended)

IV. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY OPTIONS

Students may employ one or more:

Biblical-Theological

Canonical approach
Intertextual analysis
Narrative theology

Historical-Critical

Source criticism
Redaction criticism
Tradition history

Theological / Philosophical

Analytic theology
Systematic theology
Ontological / metaphysical argument

Practical Theology

Field research
Case studies
Ministry model development

V. PROPOSAL STRUCTURE (PRE-THESIS / DISSERTATION)

Before writing the full thesis, each student submits a formal proposal (10–25 pages for MA / 20–40 pages for Doctoral) including:

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Working Title
Research Problem
Thesis Statement
Research Questions
Purpose of Study
Significance for Church & Academy
Literature Review (Preliminary)
Methodology
Theoretical Framework
Chapter Outline
Preliminary Bibliography
Timeline for Completion

VI. CITATION REQUIREMENTS

Master’s Thesis

Minimum 150 academic sources
At least:
- 30 peer-reviewed journal articles
- 40 academic monographs
- 20 primary source texts (where applicable)

Doctoral Dissertation

Minimum 350 academic references
At least:
- 75 peer-reviewed journal articles
- 100 academic monographs
- Significant primary sources (Hebrew Bible, LXX, DSS, Patristics, etc.)

VII. EVALUATION RUBRIC

Master’s Thesis Grading Criteria

Category	Weight
Biblical Exegesis	20%
Research Depth	20%
Theological Integration	20%
Pastoral Application	15%
Academic Writing Quality	15%
Original Insight	10%

Doctoral Dissertation Evaluation

Category	Weight
Original Contribution	25%
Scholarly Engagement	20%
Methodological Rigor	20%
Biblical & Theological Depth	15%
Practical Kingdom Application	10%
Academic Writing Excellence	10%

VIII. DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS

Master’s Thesis Defense

60–90 minute oral defense
2 faculty reviewers

Doctoral Dissertation Defense

2–3 hour formal defense
3–5 academic committee members
Public or recorded presentation

IX. PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT

All TKC doctoral dissertations:

Are published in book form through TKC Academic
Must meet publishable academic quality standards
Should aim to contribute to church and scholarly discourse
Master Level finished projects may be published in book form at an additional cost

X. DISTINCTIVE TKC INTEGRATION

This framework intentionally integrates TKC’s:

Scholar–Shepherd model
Kingdom theology emphasis
Discipleship and shepherding praxis
ANE and biblical context emphasis
Global church perspective

(as reflected in TKC’s mission and curriculum design)

XI. OPTIONAL SPECIALIZATION TRACKS

Students may tailor research toward:

Biblical Theology
Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Biblical Theology
Practical Ministry / Shepherding
Spiritual Formation
Kingdom / Missional Ecclesiology
Philosophy
Cultural Theology

XII. TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS

Master’s

Proposal: 1 term
Research & Writing: 2–3 terms
Defense & Publication: final term

Doctoral

Proposal: 1–2 terms
Research: 3–4 terms
Writing: 2–3 terms
Defense & Publication: final term

XIII. CONCLUSION

This TKC thesis/dissertation framework:

Reflects global seminary standards
Aligns with Turabian academic writing
Honors biblical scholarship and pastoral formation
Produces publishable kingdom scholarship

It is designed to form biblical scholars who shepherd well and pastors who think deeply—a hallmark of TKC’s vision of a first-century styled scholar-pastor formation model.

NOTES:

Scholarly Dissertation Guidelines

Citations serve several purposes in academic or scholarly writing:

Shows the audience that you have properly researched the topic at hand, strengthening your authority as the writer and allows the audience to follow up with your resources if they want or need additional information on the topic.
Helps to position your essay in an ongoing scholarly conversation.
Allows you to avoid plagiarism by properly giving credit to the original source of the words or ideas referenced in your paper.

Why do we have to cite a certain way?

Different academic fields place varying degrees of emphasis on different things. Because of this, different citation styles have evolved over time to meet the specific needs of the discipline. Mastering the appropriate citation style is an important part of joining a scholarly community. Currently, the Seminary recognizes five citation styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, SBL, with an emphasis on Turabian which we will use as an example below.

Common Elements

All citation styles have certain things in common. They exist to help your readers identify and find your sources. Regardless of style, you will need the following:

Author’s name
Title of the text
Publisher
Publisher’s location
Date of publication

TKC academic papers principally follow Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 9th ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2018). Please order this text at the beginning of your time with TKC.

ACADEMIC THESIS AND DISSERTATIONS:

• All pages should be set to the standard 8.5 x 11 inches.

• The document should be double-spaced in 8.5×11 format, and the footnotes should be single-spaced.

• The customary font for Turabian papers is Times New Roman 12

• Unless otherwise indicated in the instructions below, the font size should be 12 points. Hebrew and Greek fonts may need to be adjusted to match the size of the surrounding English font.

• Indent each paragraph one-half inch.

• Each paragraph must have at least two sentences. A two-sentence paragraph would be rare but may be used for some purposes such as introducing a section of a paper. In general, however, a paragraph should have at least three and preferably more sentences. The upper limit of a paragraph would be approximately one page. • Use the serial or Oxford comma, placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction in a series of three or more elements.

• Although digital citing is becoming more accepted, if possible do not cite a source according to Kindle location or other digital information. Locate and provide the print-version page number. If you are unable to locate the print version, see the guidelines in Turabian 9, § 17.1.10.

• If an online source is an identical reproduction of a print version (e.g., a journal with the original page numbers or a scan of a book on Google Books), do not include the URL. Include the URL only if the online source differs from the print version.

• In scholarly works it is most common to NOT capitalize pronouns referring to deity; however TKC leaves this up to the authors.

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