CURRICULUM

The method of study at OTI includes directed readings, e-forum participation, essays, and testing. Each student is assigned course mentors. Mentors are Orthodox theologians, or educators with expertise in a particular field of related study. At the beginning of the semester, each mentor will send to the student via e-mail, a course prospectus, with the corresponding required texts, instructions regarding assignments, submission dates, etc. Mentors will be available for questions, support, and advice. The student must submit all assignments to the mentor via e-mail prior to the submission due dates in the prospectus.

DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

The Diploma track includes 6 consecutive semesters. The courses are as follows:

YEAR I

First Semester

SL 101 - Christian Life (4 credits)

GS 101 - Introduction to the Orthodox Church (4 credits)

NT 101 - Introduction to the New Testament (4 credits)

LS 101 - Understanding the Science of Liturgics (4 credits)

LM 101 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: The Divine Liturgy (4 credits)

Second Semester

CH 101 - The Early Church (4 credits)

OT 101 - Introduction to the Old Testament (4 credits)

NT 102 - The Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John (4 credits)

LS 102 - The Typikon and Liturgical Rubrics (4 credits)

LM 102 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: Vespers (4 credits)

YEAR II

First Semester

CH 202 - History of the Orthodox Church (4 credits)

OT 202 - The Pentateuch and Historical Books of the Old Testament (4 credits)

NT 203 - The Acts of the Apostles (4 credits)

LS 203 - The Order of Divine Services I (4 credits)

LM 203 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: Matins (4 credits)

Second Semester

PS 201 - Patristics I: The Pre-Nicene Fathers (4 credits)

OT 203 - The Prophetic Books of the Old Testament (4 credits)

NT 204 - The Pauline Epistles (4 credits)

LS 204 - The Order of Divine Services II (4 credits)

LM 204 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: Funeral Services (4 credits)

YEAR III

First Semester

PS 302 - Patristics II: The Post-Nicene Fathers (4 credits)

OT 304 - The Wisdom Books of the Old Testament (4 credits)

NT 305 - The Catholic Epistles and the Book of Revelation (4 credits)

DT 301 - Dogmatic Theology (4 credits)

LM 305 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: The Triodion (4 credits)

Second Semester

CH 303 - Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy in History (4 credits)

CL 301 - Canon Law (4 credits)

HS 301 - Monasticism (4 credits)

PT 301 - Pastoral Care (4 credits)

LM 306 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: The Pentecostarion (4 credits)

During the Diploma track, the student will submit a university-level essay in APA format of 10 -15 pages for each course. All essays must include references. Ecclesiastical Chant will be evaluated audiovisually.

Upon completion of the Diploma track, if the student does not wish to pursue the Licentiate in Theological Sciences track, s/he must pass a comprehensive oral examination related to the Diploma track studies and the development of an Orthodox phronema (or worldview). The purpose of this examination is to ensure that the student is able to integrate Orthodox faith and practice in his / her personal life.

LICENTIATE

The Licentiate in Theological Sciences track includes 4 additional semesters. The courses are as follows.

YEAR IV

First Semester

CH 404 - History of the Byzantine Empire (5 credits)

SL 401 - Lessons from the Philokalia (5 credits)

HM 401 - Homiletics (5 credits)

HS 402 - Orthodox Psychotherapy (5 credits)

LM 407 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: The Festal Menaia (4 credits)

Second Semester

PT 401 - The Priesthood (5 credits)

MT 401 - Moral Theology (5 credits)

HS 403 - Readings in Hesychasm (5 credits)

FT 401 - Pastoral Counseling (5 credits)

LM 408 - Ecclesiastical Chant [Byzantine or Slavic]: Special Services (4 credits)

YEAR V

First Semester

FN 501 - Basic Accounting for Parishes and Missions (5 credits)

MN 501 - Management of Non-Profit Organizations (5 credits)

FT 502 - Family Therapy (5 credits)

CS 501 - The Process of Evangelization and Authentic Inculturation (5 credits)

RT 501 - Mechanics of Research: Preparing the Licentiate Thesis* (4 credits)

*At this time, the student will submit a Licentiate Thesis proposal for approval by the faculty, and will be assigned a thesis mentor.

During the first 3 semesters of the Licentiate in Theological Sciences track, the student will submit a university-level essay in APA format of 15 - 20 pages for each course. All essays must include references. Again, Ecclesiastical Chant will be evaluated audiovisually.

Second Semester

RT 502 - Thesis (24 credits)

The student must produce an original thesis demonstrating his / her ability to perform theological research on a scholarly level. The thesis is to be concerned with clarifying the evidence relating to some issue(s) of theological, historical, or practical significance in the life of the Orthodox Church. The thesis must contain no fewer than 85 pages and must be in APA format. Twenty-four credit hours are granted for the thesis project. During the thesis process, the student will consult regularly with his / her thesis mentor, implement the mentor’s recommendations, and submit the thesis within 6 months. At the end of the Licentiate in Theological Sciences track, the student must present an oral defense of his / her thesis.

PLEASE NOTE:

Candidates for the diaconate or priesthood may be required by their respective Bishops to complete a 40 day liturgical internship upon ordination, which can be coordinated by the OTI  Academic Rector.

FLEXSTART AND COLLEGE LEVEL TESTING OPTIONS

The Accelerated Degree or FlexStart / Rolling Enrollment and College Level Testing options enable students to complete their studies through programs that fit a busy life and schedule, and that save time and money. FlexStart allows students to enroll in a course, complete the requirements, and move on to the next course at his / her own speed or pace. College Level Testing allows students to translate life experience into academic credit. The College Level Testing Programs that are accepted by OTI include:

(1)  College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

(2)  Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)

(3)  DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

(4)  Advanced Placement

The credit awarded for College Level Testing is determined by OTI. The student must consult with the OTI Academic Rector prior to taking any examination.

FULL IMMERSION LANGUAGE / ORTHODOX CULTURE PROGRAMS

Full immersion language / Orthodox culture internships in Greece, Serbia, or Montenegro can be organized by the OTI Academic Rector upon request. Additionally, Spanish full immersion language internships can be coordinated. For information, please contact the Academic Rector.