South African Theological Seminary Forum

South African Theological Seminary Forum

• South African Theological Seminary Question

  I have spent months trying to find a school where I can finish my Masters in Theology. Through this board I came upon SATS and after looking at the website I have a question that I thought someone on this board could answer.
  I’m a bit confused on how their credit hours work.
  Basically, I have a Bachelors in Practical Theology and have completed 35 hours towards a Masters in the same.
  I read on their site about advanced placement where one can enter the program and only write a thesis if they have a broad theological background. How does this work? How many US hours is their M.Th.?
  Thanks for your help and any feedback you have about this school.

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• 10-12-2005 03:36 PM #2

  rmcelwain

  Registered User

  Re: South African Theological Seminary Question

  Originally posted by johnrsorrell
  I have spent months trying to find a school where I can finish my Masters in Theology. Through this board I came upon SATS and after looking at the website I have a question that I thought someone on this board could answer.
  I’m a bit confused on how their credit hours work.
  Basically, I have a Bachelors in Practical Theology and have completed 35 hours towards a Masters in the same.
  I read on their site about advanced placement where one can enter the program and only write a thesis if they have a broad theological background. How does this work? How many US hours is their M.Th.?
  Thanks for your help and any feedback you have about this school.

  I have just been honored to be approved to supervise MTh programs in Worship Leadership (appropriate for Music Ministers, Worship Pastors, etc.) at SATS. I’m still new – but will try to give some answer to your questions.
  Yes – it is entirely possible to do the MTh through a thesis only program (which is consistent with research degrees at many schools). The M.Th. at SATS is not measured in ‘credit hours.’ Be aware, however, that their MTh is closer to an American “MA” than to a MTh. The American MTh follows an M.Div. program. The SA MTh requires only a Bachelors as a prerequisite.

  Hope this helps. I think you will find SATS very affordable, credible (they are in the process of applying for approval for a DTh program, as well) and very student friendly. Good luck with it. And to anyone interested in Worship Leadership studies, drop me a line!

  Randall

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• 10-12-2005 03:53 PM #3

  Jack Tracey

  Registered User

  Re: South African Theological Seminary Question

  Originally posted by johnrsorrell
  I have spent months trying to find a school where I can finish my Masters in Theology. Through this board I came upon SATS and after looking at the website I have a question that I thought someone on this board could answer.
  I’m a bit confused on how their credit hours work.
  Basically, I have a Bachelors in Practical Theology and have completed 35 hours towards a Masters in the same.
  I read on their site about advanced placement where one can enter the program and only write a thesis if they have a broad theological background. How does this work? How many US hours is their M.Th.?
  Thanks for your help and any feedback you have about this school.

  This is not really an “advanced placement” program. This is a research oriented degree program. You must write a research proposal, have it accepted, embark on the research, write everything up in accordance with the university specifications and to the satisfaction of your advisor, and then, if you’ve jumped through all the right hoops without a lot of mistakes, you get your degree. Sounds simple? It’s not. I’d bet that the only way you could do it in less than two years is if you’re working at it full-time. It’s a great option for many people but it’s not easy and it’s not a short-cut. Good luck.
  Jack

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• 10-12-2005 05:10 PM #4

  Ted Heiks

  Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

  Re: Re: South African Theological Seminary Question

  Originally posted by rmcelwain
  Be aware, however, that their MTh is closer to an American “MA” than to a MTh. The American MTh follows an M.Div. program. The SA MTh requires only a Bachelors as a prerequisite.

  Randall

  How many times does this need to be said? The reason why the ThM follows the bachelor’s in other countries while the ThM follows the MDiv in the US is because the ministerial credential in other countries (and, for that matter, in the US up to the 1960s) is the BD.

  Theo the Educated Derelict
  BA, History/Political Science, Western State College of Colorado, 1984
  MBA, Entrepreneurship, City University of Seattle, 1992
  MBA, Marketing, City University of Seattle, 1993Politics is made from two words: “poly” meaning “many” and “ticks” meaning “blood-sucking insects.”