Masters Degree Requirements 

1. Master’s Program Credit Hour Requirements

To align with standard US graduate expectations while maintaining your Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f) exemption, Master's programs are structured as follows:

• Total Credits: 36 to 48 credit hours (depending on the specialization).

• Duration: Typically 2 years of full-time study (4 semesters).

• Credit Breakdown:

• Core Theological/Heritage Courses: 18–24 credits.

• Specialization Electives: 12–18 credits.

• Research/Seminar Component: 6 credits.

2. Graduate Seminars & Presentation Requirements

Graduate study focuses on original research and scholarly discourse.

• Advanced Research Seminar (3 Credits):

• Students participate in weekly high-level discussions on specific Mar Thoma historical documents or theological debates.

• Requirement: Each student must lead at least one seminar session, acting as the "moderator" for a peer-reviewed discussion.

• The Master’s Presentation (Colloquium):

• Before graduation, students must present their research findings to a panel of faculty and community elders.

• Format: A 20-minute formal presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. This is often held during the "Heritage Week" celebration to engage the wider Kerala diaspora.

3. Master’s Thesis or Capstone Project

• Thesis Option (6 Credits): A 15,000–20,000 word scholarly paper demonstrating critical judgment and independence of thought.

• Project Option (6 Credits): A practical contribution to the community, such as developing a digital archive for a parish or creating a curriculum for heritage education in the US.

4. Enrollment Limits & Maximum Credits

To ensure the "quality of superior literary expression" required at the graduate level, students are subject to strict enrollment limits:

• Full-Time Status: 9 credit hours per semester.

• Maximum Credit Load: 12 credit hours per semester.

• International Students (R-1/F-1 Compliance): Must maintain at least 9 credits to be considered full-time by US immigration standards.

5. Internship & Voluntary Work (Community Service)

Graduate students are expected to serve as mentors and leaders within the community.

Voluntary Work Examples for Masters Level:

• Translating ancient Syriac or Malayalam liturgical texts into English for youth use.

• Serving as a "Graduate Mentor" for undergraduate students in the B.R.A. program.

• Coordinating a regional Mar Thoma heritage conference or youth retreat.

6. Graduate Grading Standards

Unlike undergraduate studies, graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) to remain in good standing. Any grade below a "C" in a core heritage course will not count toward the degree.