General Overview
Truth Theological Seminary is an institution of higher education offering Master-level and Doctor-level degree programs leading into the professional Christian ministry. However, in light of great needs in equipping lay-leadership, TTS has also designed lay-leader training programs to cultivate Christian men and women for various challenges they face at church. Most of graduates serve in churches or parachurch organizations such as Southern Baptist, Chinese Alliance, and other independent denominations.
- CERTIFICATE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S TRAINING
- CERTIFICATE FOR CHURCH PLANTING TRAINING
- CERTIFICATE FOR CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY
- MASTER OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL STUDIES
- MASTER OF DIVINITY
- MASTER OF CHURCH MUSIC
- DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
Academic Regulations
Academic Credits
Currently, TTS operates under the quarter system. One Quarter Credit Hour (unit) is equivalent to 10 clock hours of instruction. One clock hour is equivalent to fifty minutes of instruction. Each 2-unit class contains 20 clock hours. In general, the class meets once a week, 2 hours each time, for a total of 10 weeks. Special scheduling can be made when Instructor anticipates scheduling conflicts. Holidays are taken into account and class session that lands on the same day as a Holiday will be pushed out to the following week; 20 clock hours are maintained.
Credit will only be awarded for actual course work done.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Each student is expected to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements established by TTS.
The first SAP requires students to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or “C” average. In addition, students must make progress by completing the degree within the specified time frame. The M.Div. degree should be completed within 6 years after enrollment. The M.A. degree should be completed within 4 years after enrollment. The D.Min. degree should be completed within 7 years after enrollment. In rare cases, extension of the study period may be granted. Written petition is required and addressed to the Dean’s Office.
Grading System
Truth Theological Seminary continually evaluates the student’s academic progress through examination of student’s knowledge, classroom participation, and research skills.
Quality of coursework is graded on the following grading scale. TTS awards letter grades with corresponding grade points if applicable. Passing grades are A, B, C, or D unless otherwise specified in the course descriptions. The following is guideline of TTS’s grading system:
| Grade | Excellent | Good | Average | Passing | Failure | Unofficial Withdrawal |
| Percentage | 90 – 100 | 80 – 89.9 | 70 – 79.9 | 60 – 69.9 | 0 – 59.9 | N/A |
| Grade Point | A= 4.0 A-=3.67 | B+ 3.33 B=3.0 B-=2.67 | C+=2.33 C=2.0 C-=1.67 | D+=1.33 D=1.0 D-= 0.67 | 0 | 0 |
| Ranking | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
| Score | 93.5-100.0 | 90.0-93.4 | 86.5-89.9 | 83.5-86.4 | 80.0-83.4 | 76.5-79.9 | 73.5-76.4 | 70.0-73.4 | 66.5-69.9 | 63.5-66.4 | 60.0-63.4 | 59.9 or below |
| GPA | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.33 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.67 | 0.00 |
Doctoral-level grading system
Students’ academic records are kept at the Registrar’s Office. Student records and matters pertaining to the student’s academic achievements will be maintained by the institution for a minimum of 50 years after the student has completed or terminated his/her studies at Truth Theological Seminary. Records for students in the non-degree programs will be kept for a minimum of 10 years after completion or termination of studies.
In addition to permanently retaining a transcript as required by Section 94900(b) of the Code, TTS shall maintin for a period of 5 years the pertinent student records described in Section 71920 from the student’s date of completion or withdrawal.
| Ranking | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Pass | Failing | Withdrawal | Credit | No Credit | Transferred Credit | Incomplete |
| A | A- | B | C | F | W | CR | NC | TR | I | |
| Grade | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.00 | 2.00 | 0.00 |
Academic Catalog
2015-2016 Catalog (docx) and 2015-2016 Catalog (pdf)
Academic Calendar
| 2015-2016 | Fall Qtr | Winter Qtr | Spring Qtr | Summer |
| Admission Deadline | July 31, 2015 | November 30, 2015 | February 29, 2016 | May 31, 2016 |
| Registration | 8/01 – 8/31/2015 | 12/01 – 12/31/2015 | 3/01 – 3/31/2016 | 6/15 – 6/30/2016 |
| Classes Begin | 9/14/2015 | 1/04/2016 D.Min. Track: 1. March 2016 2. April 2016 | 4/04/2016 | TBD |
| Add/Drop Deadline | 9/25/2015 | 1/15/2016 | 4/15/2016 | TBD |
| Chapel Hour | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Holidays Observed** | 9/07 Labor Day 11/26 Thanksgiving 12/25 Christmas (office close on 12/25) | 1/01 New Year’s Day (office close on 1/1) 1/18 MLK Jr. Day 2/15 President’s Day | 3/25 Good Friday 3/27 Easter 5/30 Memorial Day | 7/04 Independence Day |
| Events | 9/14 Alumni Meeting 11/08 18th Anniv. Fundraising Dinner | Pastor’s Retreat/Workshop | Commencement | TBD |
| Quarter-End Recital | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Finals Week*** | 11/16 – 20/2015 | 3/07-11/2016 | 6/06-10/2016 | TBD |
| Grade Submission | 12/04/2015 | 3/25/2016 | 6/24/2016 | TBD |
| Quarter Break | 11/21/2015 – 1/03/2016 | 3/12/2016 – 4/03/2016 | 6/11/2016 – 6/30/2016 | TBD |
* Schedules are subject to change. Please check with the Seminary Office at (626) 574-0770 for updates.
** Classrooms, Library, and Office are closed on the observed holidays.
*** As classes may not end in the same week, instructors shall made clear to the Office and to the students when the Final Exams will take place. Students expecting to graduate by the end of Spring Quarter need to take final exams one week earlier in order to complete graduation check.
Currently, Truth Theological Seminary operates on quarter system.