Bridging Certificate in Theological English (BrCert TheoEng)

Course Load

Total work load is 9 credits, this is equivalent to 3 months full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the certificate after initial registration.

Courses

Credits

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

DL404 Academic English

3

DL405 Theological English

3

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The BrCert TheoEng provides a pathway to either the PGDip or first year of the MDiv for applicants with developing English. The certificate can be taken as up to 5 credits advanced standing for equivalent courses on the PGDip or first year of the MDiv.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopians with a command of theological English, which is currently the main medium of higher level instruction and theological discourse in Ethiopia.
  2. To make the post-graduate level education at SITS available to those with developing English.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the BrCert TheoEng meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the BrCert TheoEng and continually update the certificate to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  2. DO (Language): Graduates have a confident foundation in theological English and close exegetical reading and grammar skills in English.
  3. BE: Graduates have continually grown in faith, humility and love through and in the context of their studies.

Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelors Degree in any subject from an accredited school with Official Transcript. (In lieu of a Bachelors Degree, mature students (over 25) may apply, though only a limited number may be accepted each year.)
  2. Completed application form.
  3. Pass SITS’ interview.
  4. Resumé.
  5. Two references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Bridging Certificate in Biblical Languages (BrCert BibLang)
Bridging Certificate in Biblical Studies (BrCert BibSt)
Bridging Certificate in Theology (BrCert Theo)

Course Load

Total work load is 9 credits, this is equivalent to 3 months full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the certificate after initial registration.


BrCert in Biblical Languages:

Courses

Credits

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

DL401 Greek I

3

DL402 Hebrew I

3

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

BrCert in Biblical Studies:

Courses

Credits

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

KB401 OT Survey

3

KB402 NT Survey

3

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

BrCert in Theology:

Courses

Credits

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

KT401 Systematic Theology

3

KT402 Ethiopian Issues in Theology

3

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1


Purpose

Student Outcomes

The BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt and BrCert Theo provide pathways to either the MA or second year of the MDiv for applicants with excellent English and a BTh or equivalent from an accredited school that is deficient in a specific area, but would otherwise allow for advanced standing on 27 credits worth of first year post-graduate courses. Alternatively, the certificate can be taken as up to 9 credits advanced standing for equivalent courses on the PGDip or first year of the MDiv.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopians able to engage with higher level biblical and theological learning.
  2. To make higher level (year 2 of) post-graduate education at SITS available to those with specific gaps in their prior academic record.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt and BrCert Theo meet the highest standards, are fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and are reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt and BrCert Theo and continually update the certificates to ensure they are maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

BrCert BibLang

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  2. DO (Language): Graduates have a confident foundation in Biblical Hebrew and Greek.
  3. BE: Graduates have continually grown in faith, humility and love through and in the context of their studies.

BrCert BibSt

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  2. KNOW (Bible): Graduates know the content of the Old and New Testaments, can describe the “story” of the Bible, situate every book of the Bible in the context of salvation history, broadly describe the content of most biblical books, and have knowledge of 20-30 key passages and their theological implications.
  3. BE: Graduates have continually grown in faith, humility and love through and in the context of their studies.

BrCert Theo

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  2. KNOW (Theology): Graduates know the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, are able to describe and defend these doctrines from the scriptures and articulate how the doctrines are logically interconnected. Graduates have a deep grasp of theological issues of special relevance to Ethiopia.
  3. BE: Graduates have continually grown in faith, humility and love through and in the context of their studies.

Admission Requirements

  1. A BTh or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.0 GPA, but the student’s academic record must demonstrate the minimum of a B for equivalent subjects in the SITS PGDip not covered by the certificate.
  2. Completed application form.
  3. Pass SITS’ interview.
  4. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
  5. Resumé.
  6. Two references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Postgraduate Certificate in Biblical Studies (PGCert)

Course Load

Total work load is 18 credits, this is equivalent to 6 months full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the certificate after initial registration.

Course content will be selected by the Academic Dean to supplement the applicant’s prior academic record from the PGDip curriculum:

Compulsory:

Credits

Do

Cognition

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

Be

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

5 courses from the following:

 

Do

Language

DL401 Greek I

3

DL402 Hebrew I

3

DL403 Exegesis

3

DL404 Academic English

3

Know

Bible

KB401 OT Survey

3

KB402 NT Survey

3

KB403 Hermeneutics

3

Theology

KT401 Systematic Theology

3

KT402 Ethiopian Issues in Theology

3

History

KH401 World Church History

3

KH402 Ethiopian Church History

3

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The PGCert provides a pathway to either the MA or second year of the MDiv for applicants with excellent English and a BTh or equivalent from an accredited school that only meets the criteria for advanced standing on 18 credits worth of first year post-graduate courses.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopians able to engage with higher level biblical and theological learning.
  2. To make higher level (year 2 of) post-graduate education at SITS available to those with significant gaps in their prior academic record.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt and BrCert Theo meet the highest standards, are fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and are reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt and BrCert Theo and continually update the certificates to ensure they are maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  2. DO (Language): Graduates have a confident foundation in Biblical Hebrew and Greek.
  3. KNOW (Theology): Graduates know key Hebrew and Greek vocabulary.
  4. BE: Graduates have continually grown in faith, humility and love through and in the context of their studies.

Admission Requirements

  1. A BTh or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.0 GPA, but the student’s academic record must demonstrate the minimum of a B for equivalent subjects in the SITS PGDip not covered by the certificate.
  2. Completed application form.
  3. Pass SITS’ interview.
  4. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
  5. Resumé.
  6. Two references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Postgraduate Diploma in Biblical Studies (PGDip)

Course Load

Total work load is 36 credits, this is equivalent to 1 year full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the certificate after initial registration.

   

Course

Credits

Know

Bible

KB401 OT Survey

3

KB402 NT Survey

3

KB403 Hermeneutics

3

Theology

KT401 Systematic Theology

3

KT402 Ethiopian Issues in Theology

3

History

KH401 World Church History

3

KH402 Ethiopian Church History

3

Do

Cognition

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

Language

DL401 Greek I

3

DL402 Hebrew I

3

DL403 Exegesis

3

DL404 Academic English

3

Be

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

Purpose

Student Outcomes

At the end of the PGDip students have the option to either upgrade to the second year of the MDiv or to graduate with the PGDip and apply for the MA. The PGDip therefore provides three pathways for graduates:

  1. Equips Christians without prior theological training to pursue a secular career.
  2. Provides a route onto the MA for students who do not meet the criteria for entry.
  3. Serves as the first year of the MDiv for students pursuing professional higher level training.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopian professionals with a firm grounding in the Bible and theology, and create potential for an increase in trained theological academics and professionals.
  2. To make the post-graduate level education at SITS as widely available as possible and also to provide a route for educated individuals to transition to Masters level theological education.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the PGDip meet the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the PGDip and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. KNOW (Bible): Graduates know the content of the Old and New Testaments, can describe the “story” of the Bible, situate every book of the Bible in the context of salvation history, broadly describe the content of most biblical books, have knowledge of 20-30 key passages and their theological implications, and both know and can apply mainstream methods of interpretation.
  2. KNOW (Theology): Graduates know the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, are able to describe and defend these doctrines from the scriptures and articulate how the doctrines are logically interconnected. Graduates have a deep grasp of theological issues of special relevance to Ethiopia.
  3. KNOW (History): Graduates possess and can articulate an overview of the history of God’s people in the world and in Ethiopia. They are able to describe the theological significance of key events, and draw analogous lessons for their own context.
  4. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess essential executive functional skills to maintain the heavy workload demands required for higher level learning.
  5. DO (Language): Graduates have a confident foundation in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek and theological English. They possess close exegetical reading and grammar skills in English.
  6. BE (Trust): Graduates exhibit explicit thinking about daily growth in confident trust in their Father God and his sovereignty over all situations.
  7. BE (Humility): Graduates exhibit daily growth in humility in self-examination and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ their saviour.
  8. BE (Love): Graduates exhibit daily growth in love and self-sacrificial service of God and neighbour empowered by the Spirit who lives within them.

Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelors or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.0 GPA. (In lieu of a Bachelors Degree, mature students (over 25) may apply, though only a limited number may be accepted each year.)
  • Graduates of the SITS BrCert TheoEng may receive up to 8 credits advanced standing on the PGDip for comparable work.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. If applying through any route other than the SITS BrCert TheoEng:
  3. Pass SITS’ interview.
  4. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
  5. Resumé.
  6. Two references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.


Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership (MDiv)

Course Load

Total work load is 108 credits, this is equivalent to 3 years full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the degree after initial registration.

   

Year 1

Credits

Know

Bible

KB401 OT Survey

3

KB402 NT Survey

3

KB403 Hermeneutics

3

Theology

KT401 Systematic Theology

3

KT402 Ethiopian Issues in Theology

3

History

KH401 World Church History

3

KH402 Ethiopian Church History

3

Do

Cognition

DC401 Personal Time Management

2

Language

DL401 Greek I

3

DL402 Hebrew I

3

DL403 Exegesis

3

DL404 Academic English

3

Be

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

 

   

Year 2

Credits

Year 3

Credits

Know

Bible

KB506 Biblical Leadership

3

KB606 Problem Passages in the Bible

3

KB507 Preaching from the OT

3

KB607 Preaching from the NT

3

KB508 The Book of Isaiah

3

KB608 The Book of Job

3

KB509 The Book of Romans

3

KB609 The Book of 1 Corinthians

3

Theology

KT503 Pastoral Theology

3

KT603 Biblical Theology of Mission

3

KT504 Theology of Leadership

3

KT604 Issues around the Prosperity Gospel

3

KT505 Ethnic Identity and the Gospel

3

   

Do

Cognition

DC501 Research, Thinking and Academic Writing

3

DC601 Managing Time and Change in Organizations

3

Vocation

DV502 Church Administration

3

DV601 Shorter Thesis

3

DV503 Pastoral Care

2

DV602 Team Leadership and Conflict Resolution

3

   

DV603 Leadership Development

2

Be

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

 

Elective

6

Elective

6

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The MDiv:

  1. Qualifies graduates as advanced professional practitioners in church-related leadership professions.
  2. Qualifies graduates to teach undergraduate Christian leadership courses.
  3. Provides a pathway to potentially undertake a future DMin.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopian Christian professionals who have an ability to understand academic discourse at the international level and engage in deep theological and critical reflection on practice.
  2. To create a learning pathway that equips individuals to pursue Professional Doctorates.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the MDiv meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the MDivCL and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. KNOW (Bible): Graduates know the content of the Old and New Testaments, can describe the “story” of the Bible, situate every book of the Bible in the context of salvation history, and broadly describe the content of most biblical books. Graduates possess an advanced understanding of the principles of biblical interpretation through experience gained tackling the most difficult books of the Bible, especially in regards to passages that are often of pastoral difficulty in Ethiopia.
  2. KNOW (Theology): Graduates know the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, are able to describe and defend these doctrines from the scriptures and articulate how the doctrines are logically interconnected. Graduates have a deep grasp of theological issues of special relevance to Ethiopia, leadership, ethnic identity and the prosperity gospel.
  3. KNOW (History): Graduates possess and can articulate an overview of the history of God’s people in the world and in Ethiopia. They are able to describe the theological significance of key events, and draw analogous lessons for their own context.
  4. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess the executive functional, critical thinking and analytical skills of a senior practitioner in corporate leadership.
  5. DO (Language): Graduates have a confident foundation in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek and theological English. They possess close exegetical reading and grammar skills in English.
  6. DO (Vocation): Graduates possess advanced skills required for senior leadership and are able to exercise deep theological reflection on their practice.
  7. BE (Trust): Graduates exhibit explicit thinking about daily growth in confident trust in their Father God and his sovereignty over all situations.
  8. BE (Humility): Graduates exhibit daily growth in humility in self-examination and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ their saviour.
  9. BE (Love): Graduates exhibit daily growth in love and self-sacrificial service of God and neighbour empowered by the Spirit who lives within them.

Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelors or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.0 GPA. (In lieu of a Bachelors Degree, mature students (over 25) may apply, though only a limited number may be accepted each year.)
  • Graduates of the SITS BrCert TheoEng may receive up to 5 credits advanced standing for comparable work.
  • Graduates of the SITS BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt, BrCert Theo, PGCert, and PGDip may receive up to one year’s advanced standing.
  • Applicants with a BTh or equivalent from an accredited school with 2.75 GPA may receive up to one year’s advanced standing.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. If applying from any route other than the SITS BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt, BrCert Theo, PGCert, or PGDip:
  3. Pass SITS’ interview.
  4. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
  5. Resumé.
  6. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership (DMin)

Course Load

Total work load is 108 credits, this is equivalent to 3 years full time. Students enrolled onto the DMin programme will be required to submit a 50,000 word doctoral project between 33 and 84 months after matriculation. Students who fail to submit their DMin doctoral project within 84 months of matriculation will be de-enrolled from the course, will no longer be students of SITS, and will no longer receive any formal guidance from their supervisory team. However, if students wish to continue their studies informally, they may re-enrol at a later date for the purpose of submission and examination.

Taught elements:

 

Year 1

Credits

Know

Biblical

KB801 Scripture in Ministry

4

Do

Cognition

DC801 Proposal Development

4

Language

DL801 Advanced English I

4

Be

B801 Spiritual Self-Reflection

3

 

Elective

3

 

Year 2

 

Know

Theological

KT801 Advanced Pastoral Theology

4

Do

Cognition

DC901 Independent Study

4

Language

DL901 Advanced English II

4

Be

B901 Self-Critical Reflection on Anonymous Feedback

3

 

Elective

3

 

Year 3

 

Know

Historical

KH801 Critical Analysis of Protestantism in Ethiopia

4

Do

Cognition

DC1001 Research and Reflective Practice

4

Language

DL1001 Advanced English III

4

Be

B1001 Self-Counselling Project

3

 

Elective

3

In addition students undertake DV1001 Professional Doctoral Project, which is worth 54 credits.

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The DMin:

  1. Qualifies graduates as the highest level of professional reflective practitioners working at the most senior levels of national or international organisations.
  2. Qualifies graduates to teach post-graduate Christian leadership courses.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To contribute to the pool of Ethiopian professional academics and foster the reflective professional and academic culture that will sustain SITS for the following generation.
  2. To create a learning pathway that makes the highest level of education at SITS as widely available as possible to professional Christian leaders.
  3. To integrate spiritual vitality and community into our DMin in a way that utilises the leadership and vision of our senior students, thus fostering relationship and community building across our main campus, our satellite campuses, and our online students.
  4. To ensure that the DMin meets the highest standards, is fully accredited and encourage a culture among our most senior students of positive reflection on how to improve SITS and constant improvement.
  5. To ensure that SITS is constantly listening to our stakeholders, the needs of the church, and watching for signs of the Spirit and in light of these regularly updating the DMin to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. KNOW (Bible): Graduates possess an advanced reflective understanding of scripture in the context of ministry practice.
  2. KNOW (Theology): Graduates possess an advanced reflective pastoral theology applicable to ministry in the Ethiopian context.
  3. KNOW (History): Graduates possess a practiced habit of ongoing critical reflection on Protestantism in Ethiopia in light of a deep appreciation for its history.
  4. DO (Cognition): Graduates are able to exercise higher level reflective thinking, critical thinking, analytical skills, and the advanced investigative, research, technical and electronic skills of a reflective professional at the highest academic standard.
  5. DO (Language): Graduates are fluent in advanced English.
  6. DO (Vocation): Graduates are self-aware with an ingrained habitual practice of critical reflection on ministry and self.
  7. BE (Trust): Graduates exhibit explicit and deep thinking about daily growth in confident trust in their Father God and his sovereignty over all situations.
  8. BE (Humility): Graduates exhibit daily growth in humility in self-examination and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ their saviour.
  9. BE (Love): Graduates exhibit daily growth in love and self-sacrificial service of God and neighbour empowered by the Spirit who lives within them.

Admission Requirements

  1. An MDiv or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.75 GPA.
  2. Three years professional experience since the awarding of the MDiv.
  3. Completed application form.
  4. Pass SITS’ interview.
  5. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
  6. Resumé.
  7. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Master of the Arts in Biblical Studies (MA)

Course Load

Total work load is 72 credits, this is equivalent to 2 years full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the degree after initial registration.

 

Year 1

Credits

Year 2

Credits

Know

Bible

KB501 Academic OT Introduction

3

KB601 ANE Poetry

3

KB502 Academic NT Introduction

3

KB602 Pauline Studies

3

KB503 Intertestamental Literature

3

KB603 Use of OT in NT

3

KB504 Pentateuchal Criticism or
KB505 Historical Jesus

3

KB604 Prophet and Sage in Ancient Israel or
KB605 Apocalyptic Literature

3

Theology

KT501 OT Theology

3

KT601 Biblical Ethics

3

KT502 NT Theology

3

KT602 Public Theology

3

History

KH501 Biblical Archaeology

2

KH601 History of the Biblical Text

2

   

KH602 Christian Origins

3

Do

Cognition

DC501 Research, Thinking
and Academic Writing

3

   

Language

DL501 Greek II

3

DL601 Greek III

3

DL502 Hebrew II

3

DL602 Hebrew III

3

Vocation

DV501 Academic Administration, Proposal and Lecture Development

3

DV601 Shorter Thesis

3

Be

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

BX01 Online Chapel Reflection

1

 

Elective

3

Elective

3

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The MA:

  1. Qualifies graduates to teach undergraduate Biblical Studies courses.
  2. Provides a pathway to undertake an MTh.
  3. Graduates with 3.75 GPA may be accepted directly to the first year of the MPhil/PhD.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of junior Ethiopian theological academics, who have an ability to understand academic discourse at the international level.
  2. To create a learning pathway that equips individuals to pursue higher academic and research degrees.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the MABS meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the MABS and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

1.2.3    Educational Objectives

  1. KNOW (Bible): Graduates can describe the intertestamental literature, the history and background of the Bible, and are familiar with ancient genres of literature of relevance to biblical studies and how they shed light on understanding the Bible from an academic perspective.
  2. KNOW (Theology): Graduates have explored the theology of both testaments of the Bible in depth and have a thorough grounding in ethics and public theology.
  3. KNOW (History): Graduates are familiar with the issues and major themes of biblical archaeology, the history the biblical text, and Christian origins.
  4. DO (Cognition): Graduates possess the essential analytic, investigative, research, technical and electronic skills of an academic theologian.
  5. DO (Language): Graduates have advanced confidence in Biblical Hebrew and Greek, as well as reading and writing theological English. They possess close exegetical reading and grammar skills in Hebrew, Greek and English.
  6. DO (Vocation): Graduates possess the administrative skills required for taking a leading role in an academic theological institution.
  7. BE (Trust): Graduates exhibit explicit thinking about daily growth in confident trust in their Father God and his sovereignty over all situations.
  8. BE (Humility): Graduates exhibit daily growth in humility in self-examination and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ their saviour.
  9. BE (Love): Graduates exhibit daily growth in love and self-sacrificial service of God and neighbour empowered by the Spirit who lives within them.

Admission Requirements

  1. A BTh or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.75 GPA. Alternative routes:
  • Graduates of a BTh with Official Transcript, who do not meet criteria for entry may be accepted by supplementing their academic record with the SITS BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt, BrCert Theo, PGCert, or PGDip.
  • Applicants holding a PGDip in Biblical Studies or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. If applying from any route other than the SITS BrCert BibLang, BrCert BibSt, BrCert Theo, PGCert, or PGDip:
    1. Pass SITS’ interview.
    2. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
    3. Pass SITS’ Biblical Greek exam.
    4. Pass SITS’ Biblical Hebrew exam.
    5. Resumé.
    6. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Master of Theology in Biblical Studies (MTh)

Course Load

Total work load is between 36-144 credits, this is equivalent to 1-4 years full time. There is no time requirement or limit for completion of the degree after initial registration.

The MTh is designed to comprise the fourth year of post-graduate study with a 30,000 word dissertation. Applicants with a Masters Degree in a related subject (e.g. MDiv in Christian Leadership) will be required to take taught elements to supplement their Official Transcript in light of the SITS PGDip and MA curricula prior to beginning the thesis at the discretion of the Academic Dean. This requirement can add up to 108 credits to the total course load.

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The MTh:

  1. Qualifies graduates to teach 1st and 2nd year post-graduate Biblical Studies courses.
  2. Prepares graduates to undertake a higher research qualification in Biblical Studies, in most cases the first year of a PhD. Graduates with superior performance (passing with no major corrections) whose PhD proposal is an extension of their MTh thesis may be accepted onto the SITS PhD program with one year's advanced standing, thus not requiring the first year examination.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopian theological academics who have an ability to understand academic discourse at the international level, engage in deep theological analysis, engage in research and contribute substantively to wider conversation on a specific topic.
  2. To create a learning pathway that equips individuals to pursue higher theological research degrees.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the MTh meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the MTh and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates have experienced deep theological analysis and undertaken research that contributes substantively to wider conversation on a specific topic.
  2. DO (Vocation): Graduates have developed and can demonstrate the key skills needed to lecture in Biblical Studies and Theology and successfully undertake a PhD.

Admission Requirements

  1. An MA in Biblical Studies or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 2.75 GPA.
  • Applicants whose Official Transcript, GPA, or performance in entrance exams do not meet the required standard may be accepted at the Academic Dean’s discretion with up to 108 credits of taught courses required before undertaking the thesis.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. If applying from any route other than the SITS MA or MDiv:
    1. Pass SITS’ interview.
    2. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
    3. Pass SITS’ Biblical Greek exam.
    4. Pass SITS’ Biblical Hebrew exam.
    5. Resumé.
    6. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Master of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (MPhil)

Course Load

Total work load is 72 credits, this is equivalent to 2 years full time. Students must take a first year examination between 9 and 18 months after enrolment that consists of:

  1. a formal research proposal,
  2. a 10,000-15,000 word writing sample,
  3. a viva voce.

Depending on the outcome of the examination, students will either:

  1. upgrade their project to the PhD,
  2. continue in the MPhil programme,
  3. fail the examination.

Students who continue in the MPhil programme will be required to submit a 40,000 word research thesis between 9 and 30 months after receiving the outcome of the examination.

Students who fail to submit their MPhil thesis within 30 months of the examination will be de-enrolled from the course, will no longer be students of SITS, and will no longer receive any formal guidance from their supervisory team. However, if students wish to continue their studies informally, they may re-enrol at a later date for the purpose of submission and examination.

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The MPhil is normally the route by which applicants enter the PhD program. The MPhil itself qualifies graduates to teach all post-graduate Biblical Studies courses.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopian theological academics who have engaged in deep theological analysis and research, and have contributed substantively to wider conversation on a specific topic.
  2. To create a learning pathway that equips individuals to pursue a PhD.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the MPhil meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the MPhil and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates have received guided experience in deep theological analysis and undertaken research that contributes substantively to wider conversation on a specific topic.
  2. DO (Vocation): Graduates are equipped to successfully undertake a PhD.

Admission Requirements

  1. An MTh in Biblical Studies or equivalent from an accredited school. Alternative routes:
  • An MA in Biblical Studies or equivalent from an accredited school with Official Transcript with 3.75 GPA.
  • Applicants whose Official Transcript, GPA, or performance in entrance exams do not meet the required standard may be accepted at the Academic Dean’s discretion with up to 108 credits of taught courses required before undertaking the thesis.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. A writing sample of at least 15,000 words in English that demonstrates the student's ability to think and write at a sufficient level to undertake research at a high level.
  3. If applying from any route other than the SITS MA or MTh:
    1. Pass SITS’ interview.
    2. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
    3. Pass SITS’ Biblical Greek exam.
    4. Pass SITS’ Biblical Hebrew exam.
    5. Resumé.
    6. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (PhD)

Course Load

Total work load is 108 credits, this is equivalent to 3 years full time. Students normally enrol on the MPhil and must take a first year examination between 9 and 18 months after enrolment that consists of:

  1. a formal research proposal,
  2. a 10,000-15,000 word writing sample,
  3. a viva voce.

Depending on the outcome of the examination, students will either:

  1. upgrade their project to the PhD,
  2. continue in the MPhil programme,
  3. fail the examination.

Students who upgrade to the PhD programme will be required to submit an 80,000 word research thesis between 18 and 72 months after upgrading.

Students who fail to submit their PhD thesis within 72 months of upgrading will be de-enrolled from the course, will no longer be students of SITS, and will no longer receive any formal guidance from their supervisory team. However, if students wish to continue their studies informally, they may re-enrol at a later date for the purpose of submission and examination.

Applicants to the PhD holding an MTh with a thesis that passed without major corrections, whose PhD proposal is an extension of the MTh thesis, may be enrolled directly onto the PhD with one year’s advanced standing.

Purpose

Student Outcomes

The PhD qualifies graduates to perform as a full Biblical Studies Faculty member: to teach all post-graduate Biblical Studies courses, and supervise research theses.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To increase the pool of Ethiopian theological academics who have contributed substantively to global conversation on a specific topic, and are equipped to teach and supervise research at the highest level.
  2. To make the highest possible research degree available to students in Ethiopia.
  3. To foster an environment of spiritual vitality throughout our community that permeates all we do, both at our main campus, our satellite campuses, and online.
  4. To ensure that the PhD meets the highest standards, is fully accredited according to ACTEA’s standard, and is reviewed annually.
  5. To obtain annual feedback from SITS’ stakeholders in order to assess the current relevance of the PhD and continually update the degree to ensure it is maximally relevant.

Educational Objectives

  1. DO (Cognition): Graduates have received guided experience in deep theological analysis and undertaken research that contributes substantively to global conversation on a specific topic at the international level.
  2. DO (Vocation): Graduates are fully equipped and qualified to lecture in Biblical Studies and Theology and supervise research projects at all levels.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants normally apply for the MPhil and upgrade to the PhD after the first year examination. The following admission criteria are for applicants holding an MTh or equivalent from an accredited school with a thesis that passed with no major corrections, whose PhD proposal is an extension of the MTh thesis.
  2. Completed application form.
  3. A writing sample of at least 15,000 words in English that demonstrates the student's ability to think and write at a sufficient level to undertake research at a high level.
  4. If applying from any route other than the SITS MTh:
    1. Pass SITS’ interview.
    2. Pass SITS’ English exam, and in oral interview demonstrate sufficient comprehension of and competency in spoken English.
    3. Pass SITS’ Biblical Greek exam.
    4. Pass SITS’ Biblical Hebrew exam.
    5. Resumé.
    6. Provide 3 references: one must be academic and one must be from the candidate’s church.