SAIACS Master of Theology (MTh)

The Pre-M.Th. programme is a qualifying year for the SAIACS M.Th. programme in a particular discipline. It is meant for prospective students from ATA or other recognised colleges seeking admission into a particular department such as Old Testament, New Testament, Pastoral Theology and Counselling, Theology & Ethics, and Religions. The Pre-M.Th. year is much like the M.A.(T.S.)-Advanced except that instead of the project, two/three modules will be taken. Pre-M.Th. course does not lead to a degree nor can any credits be forwarded to the M.Th. programme. To continue M.Th. programme, Pre-M.Th. students should maintain a minimum average of 50.01%

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT

The applicants must hold a B.D. or M.Div. degree with at least a second class with 50% (B grade) average from a theological college or seminary which is accredited by the Asia Theological Association or is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore. Students from other institutions may also apply, but their admission will be left to the discretion of the Faculty Council.

QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS

Any applicant who applies to SAIACS M.Th. Programme should have B.D. from the Senate of Serampore or M.Div. from ATA. However any applicant who has either B.D. or M.Div. not accredited by one these associations can appear for the Qualifying examinations conducted by SAIACS. The number of papers will depend on the courses covered in their previous studies.

MASTER OF THEOLOGY (MTh)

Purpose

The purpose of the MTh degree programme is to train men and women for theological institutions and for leadership in various church related ministries. The programme is designed to enable qualified graduates in theology to broaden and deepen their theological knowledge and sharpen their research skills and competencies beyond BD/MDiv level. This goal is achieved by taking a limited number of courses in areas of their discipline and by doing a thesis at an advanced level in a field of specialisation. Thus a student who completes MTh with a first class or high second class will be eligible to enter a doctoral course directly.

Entry Requirements

1. Previous Theological Qualification
Applicants must satisfy one of the following conditions:
1) They must hold a B.D. or M.Div. degree with at least a high second class pass, from a theological college or seminary which is accredited by the Asia Theological Association or is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College. Or:
2) Applicants who have an M.A. from SAIACS, as well as one year of additional study at SAIACS (MA Hons) Or:
3) Applicants must hold a theological degree from another recognised institution, which is judged by the Admissions Committee to be an equivalent standard.

2. Two Years Ministry Experience
Applicants must normally have allowed a minimum of two years to elapse between graduation for their previous theological qualification and commencement of MTh studies. It is normally expected that these intervening years have been spent in active full-time involvement in specific Christian ministry.

3. Biblical Studies Language Requirements
Applicants wishing to specialise in Old or New Testament, must have done two exegetical courses in Hebrew or Greek and demonstrate to the Admissions Committee competence in Biblical languages. Applicants will be examined in exegetical and reading skills in Biblical Greek and Hebrew during Admission Week. Applicants lacking these skills may be required to undertake a preparatory programme of Biblical language study to obtain equivalency credits. In many cases this will mean studying an additional preparatory year at SAIACS.

Modular System

The course is offered in such a way that a unit of a topic or area is studied intensively for a whole month, which is called a module.

Programme Design and Duration

The MTh degree is a two-year full time residential programme. The foundational and core courses will be offered during the first year and the inter-disciplinary, integrated courses and thesis are to be completed during the second year. First year courses will qualify a student to tackle an independent in-depth research topic as well as give the confidence to make a thesis proposal by the end of the first year. Courses are taught mainly by lectures and seminars. Students are required to present well-researched papers in seminars. The purpose of seminars is to introduce the student to the field and methods of research in a given area, thus laying a foundation for the advanced work required for a thesis.

Areas of Specialisation

Selection of Specialisation

Students select an area of specialisation at the time of application. Students wishing to change their choice of specialisation are required to discuss the matter with the Academic Dean. A change of specialisation after the first three modules may result in requirement of additional modules of study. No change of specialisation is permitted after the first academic year.

Registration as a Candidate

Acceptance to the second year is dependent on academic progress. Students accepted for the second academic year will be registered as candidates for the particular specialisation of their choice.

Thesis

The MTh student will be expected to produce a high-quality thesis in their second year. The thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's competence in his or her area of specialisation. It should deal with the topic in a way comparable with a paper published in an academic journal. It should fulfil all the requirements and procedures outlined in SAIACS’ thesis manual, such as format, style, footnotes, bibliography and length of the thesis. The thesis is to be of 100-120 pages, including footnotes, of double spaced computer print-out. The thesis must be submitted by the end of November during the second year. The student’s mentor as well as an external reader competent in the field will examine the thesis. The final grade of a thesis will be the average of the mentor’s and the external reader’s grades.

Time Limitation

Candidates will normally complete graduation requirements in two academic years. In exceptional circumstances the Academic Council may allow a longer period upon payment of continuation fee. In any event, all requirements must be completed within 5 years of original registration.

Degree Requirements

Duration of the Degree	2 years
Required Modules	12
Credits Per Module	3
Total Course Credits	36
Comprehensive Exam	NA
MTh Thesis/Dissertation	12 Credits (100-120 pgs)
MTh Degree Required Credits	48

THE MASTER OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES PROGRAMMES

PURPOSE

The Master of Christian Studies degree is a one-year residential programme that provides opportunity for advanced study beyond a first theological degree. Its primary purpose is for pastors, missionaries and teachers who wish to deepen their theological knowledge and sharpen ministry skills. For those in a theological education ministry, the M.C.S. provides professional development for teaching in the area of specialisation up to B.Th. level.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

PREVIOUS THEOLOGICAL QUALIFICATION

PROGRAMME DESIGN AND DURATION

The M.C.S. Degree is one academic year of full-time residential study done along with the M.Th. first year students.

AREAS OF SPECIALISATION

M.C.S. students are required to take courses in one of the following areas: Theology and Ethics, Missiology, History of Christianity and Pastoral Theology and Counselling. Students select an area of specialisation at the time of application. Students wishing to change their choice of specialisation are required to discuss the matter with the Academic Dean. No change of specialisation will be permitted after the first three modules.

INTEGRATION/REFLECTION REPORT

M.C.S. students will study in the same classes as the M.Th. students who are taking the same specialisation. The assignments of M.C.S. students will be marked at the same standard as those of the M.Th. class in order to provide a clear comparison and appraisal of whether he or she may transfer to M.Th. study.

TRANSFER TO OTHER PROGRAMMES

An M.C.S. student, who can satisfy requirements regarding previous theological qualification and whose average grade is 50% (B) after six modules (June-November) and who demonstrates initiative and creativity in research, may be invited by the Academic Dean to apply for the M.Th. programme.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The candidate will need to successfully accumulate 27 M.C.S. credits of work. Refer to clause 20.6 for minimum academic performance.

TIME LIMITATION

Candidates will normally complete graduation requirements in one academic year. In exceptional circumstances the Academic Council may allow a longer period. In any event, all requirements must be completed within three years of original registration.

PRE-M.TH.