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South African Theological Seminary

Programme Detail: Master of Theology

Language of this entry English (UK, International)
Name of Programme / Training Resource Master of Theology
Type of Training Programme with multiple subsidiary courses
Reference Number MTh
Description Accreditation The SA Theological Seminary was the first private tertiary institution to have been awarded accreditation for the MTh programme. The standards in South Africa are extremely high as far as accreditation is concerned. There is only one body that is authorised to accredit tertiary institutions, namely the Council on Higher Education, which has a stated policy of national and international comparability. In this regard we have been subjected to a very stringent evaluation. You are therefore assured that the degree you earn is of the highest standard and that the credits are fully portable. Options Our Masters programme offers you a very wide range of focus areas, each of which is supervised by highly competent academic specialists, who have been very carefully selected to provide you with the levels of service excellence, for which we have become known. You can choose either a dissertation or a structured programme in the following fields:  Practical Theology  Pastoral Counselling  Systematic Theology  Old Testament  New Testament  Biblical Studies  Children’s Ministry  Leadership  Church Management  Bible Translation  Missiology  Christian Education  Church History  Homiletics  Greek  Sports Ministry  Worship Leadership  Youth Ministry  Ethics Thesis If you choose the dissertation route, you will be required to write about 140-160 pages, (12 point font, one-and-a-half spacing). There is no coursework and no exam. All work is submitted and returned via email, except, of course, the final bound copy. The structured programme If you have a "thin" theological background, e.g. an undergraduate degree in a different field with limited theological content, we will recommend the structured route, i.e. that you complete two or three mini-dissertations, not necessarily in the same discipline, around outcomes resulting from negotiations between you and your supervisor. (Please note that this is not a collection of subjects taken at fifth year level, which is traditionally known as "coursework" although your supervisor may require you to complete one or more under-graduate subjects). Again, all your work is submitted and returned via email, except of course the final bound copy. The bridging coursework programme If you have an accredited four-year qualification in a field other than theology you do qualify to enter the Masters programme, however, you will be required to complete the following subjects before entering the thesis/structured programme: • THE5200 Man, Sin and Salvation • BIB5200 Applied Hermeneutics • GCS5200 Ethics and Apologetics Structured Programmes SATS has recently completed two course structured MTh programmes within the fields of Biblical Studies and New Testament. Additional programmes are in process of being written, programmes available for 2009 will include Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Counselling and Children’s Play Therapy. Option 1: Master of Theology (Biblical Studies) Total: 195 credits Component 1 MBS5150 Old Testament Introduction MBS5151 New Testament Introduction MBS5152 Old Testament Theology MBS5153 New Testament Theology MBS5154 Old Testament Exegesis MBS5155 New Testament Exegesis MBS5156 Biblical Preaching Component 2 90 credit mini-thesis (20,000 - 25,000 words): REQUIRED Option 2: Master of Theology (New Testament) Total: 195 credits Component 1 MNT5150 The History of New Testament Studies MNT5151 Influences of New Testament Studies MNT5152 Textual Criticism in the New Testament MNT5153 Word Studies in the New Testament MNT5154 Introductory Issues in the New Testament MNT5155 A New Testament Book Study MNT5156 New Testament Discourse Analysis MNT5157 New Testament Theology MNT5158 New Testament Exegesis Component 2 60 credit mini-thesis (15,000 - 20,000 words): REQUIRED Entrance requirements The pre-requisite is an appropriate four-year theology degree (or equivalent). The Seminary offers a free, no obligation evaluation of your transcripts, which can either be faxed to us at +27 11 234 4445 or scanned and sent as email attachments to postgraduate@sats.edu.za. We will initiate a response to your request within two days of receipt. Enrolment To access our online application form, simply click on http://www.sats.edu.za/enrol.html and then on the Application Form button. We look forward to being of assistance to you. Access to further programmes Successful MTh graduates automatically have access to the Doctoral programmes in related fields at any other accredited institution.
Keywords Practical Theology Pastoral Counselling Systematic Theology Old Testament New Testament Biblical Studies Children’s Ministry Leadership Church Management Bible Translation Missiology Christian Education Church History Homiletics Greek Sports Ministry Worship Leadership Youth Ministry Ethics
Languages Programme Available in English (UK, International)
Other Languages
Country and region where programme is available International (e.g. distance learning) / All international
Area of Ministry and Focus Bible Teaching and Training / Theology
Residential/Non Residential Non Residential
Full-time or Part-time Part-time
Level Masters
Cost Range US$100,000 or more
Actual Cost $3000
Bursaries/scholarships available Yes
Actual Length 2 years
Average hours of study per week 10
Methods of instruction Correspondence
Percentage of time spent in formal learning (e.g. lectures, structured reading, work-books, etc.) 0
Percentage of time spent on non-formal skill-based learning (e.g. learning on the job and supervised practice, etc.) 0
Percentage of time spent in informal unstructured learning (e.g. prayer times, teamwork). 0
Average number of students who take the programme per year (or, if this is a new programme, the number who can be accommodated) 100
Prerequisite Programmes Honours level degree
Other Prerequisites
Qualifications gained Master of Theology
Qualifications this programme is part of
Programme Accredited by Other Accreditation (see below)
Other Accrediting Bodies Council on Higher Education