Summative Evaluation
To find out more about the Summative Evaluation requirement, choose your degree program.
Residential MAR | Online MAR | Online MATS
Residential MAR
No matter what your emphasis in the MAR program, you will have to take the Summative Evaluation during your last semester of study at Westminster. The exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. It is comprehensive and will draw from the entirety of the curriculum to allow you to amalgamate all that you have studied.
You’ll have 32 hours to complete the Summative Evaluation in Canvas, but you’ll be able to use whatever resources you wish on the exam, which consists of three questions.
If your emphasis is Biblical Studies, you will receive one question in Old Testament, one in New Testament, and one in hermeneutics.
If your emphasis is Theological Studies, you will receive one question in systematic theology, one in apologetics and one in church history.
If you are working within the General Studies emphasis, you will have a choice from any three of the six questions contained the Biblical and Theological categories.
Please see the Academic Calendar for the dates of the evaluation and the Academic Catalog for a more comprehensive description of the policies concerning it.
Online MAR
The Summative Evaluation is an important part of your experience in the MAR program. Not only does the evaluation allow the seminary to assess the program’s effectiveness in helping you achieve the program-level objectives, it also gives the seminary the ability to measure whether you are meeting these objectives and assess your knowledge of the material in the program.
More importantly, the Summative Evaluation is incorporated into the program to give you the opportunity to immediately apply the materials you learn in class to a personal and tangible product that would be valuable for your own personal life, work, and/or ministry. You will also have the advantage of having your project reviewed by select adjunct faculty for additional, valuable feedback.
There are three options you will have to choose from for your Summative Evaluation:
- The Comprehensive Exam
- The Integrative Thesis
- The Capstone Project
You will want to begin thinking about your Summative Evaluation early on in your program, as you will need to submit a proposal based on which of the above three options you would like to select.
After completing NT 123, you will be added to Summative Evaluation course module in Canvas that contains the full requirements and additional information.
Online MATS
What is the Summative Evaluation?
A key aspect of completing your MATS is your Summative Evaluation. The Summative Evaluation is a final assessment of your learning throughout your time in the MATS program. This evaluation not only allows the seminary to assess the program’s effectiveness in helping you achieve the program-level objectives, it is incorporated into your time of study to provide the opportunity to immediately apply the materials you learn in class to a personal and tangible product that would be valuable for your own personal life, work, and/or ministry.
What are my options for the evaluation?
In order to provide you with the option to complete a Summative Evaluation that is tailored to your individual goals after the program is completed, you will have the opportunity to choose between a Comprehensive Exam, an Integrative Thesis, and a Capstone Project.
Comprehensive Exam
The Comprehensive Exam is an online exam designed to assess your knowledge of course content and your ability to synthesize and explain content of the program’s major topics, as well as connect them to matters of life and ministry.
Integrative Thesis
The Integrative Thesis is scholarly document that analyzes an existing concept, phenomenon, or text(s) in light of current theory and research. Its purpose is to demonstrate your ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information, as well as your ability to defend the thesis of your paper.
Capstone Project
The Capstone Project is a project in which the final product is a potential deliverable for a particular audience. It is more application-focused as it is meant to connect the academic components of the program to a real-world context, as well as your ability to provide a rationale for the project.
What is the timeline for my evaluation?
Toward the beginning of your program, you are required to read the Summative Evaluation Guide. This Guide provides detailed descriptions of the evaluation and its options and should be referenced often for guidance. To aid you in the process, please reference the chart below for a basic timeline of events when completing your Summative Evaluation.