Acadamic :- Programmes of Study and Requirements for Completion of Degree

BTS offers programs of study for those committed to vocational Christian ministry. These include

• Master of Divinity - for those with University B.A. or equivalent
• Master of Divinity (alternate) - for those with Bachelor of Theology or equivalent
• Bachelor of Theology - for those with G.C.E. `A' level or equivalent
• Bachelor of Ministry - for those with G.C.E. `O' level or equivalent
• Certificate Programme

Requirements for completion of each program are as follow:

Master of Divinity (Admission based on a University B.A. or its equivalent): 106 credits, plus a thesis of approximately 100 pages. This programme of study can be completed in 3 years by satisfying the requirements on an average of 9 credit hours per term.

Master of Divinity Alternate (Admission based on a Bachelor of Theology or its equivalent): 64 credits, plus a thesis of approximately 100 pages. This programme of study can be completed in 4 years (part-time) by satisfying the requirements on an average of 4 credit hours per term, or, in cases approved by the faculty, during a period of 2 years (full-time) by satisfying the requirements on an average of 8 credit hours per term. (Currently, only the part-time programme of study is available)

Bachelor of Theology (Admission based on a G.C.E. "A" level or its equivalent): 134 credits. This programme of study can be completed in 4 years by satisfying the requirements on an average of 8 credit hours per term.

Bachelor of Ministry (Admission based on a G.C.E. "O" level or its equivalent): 134 credits. This programme of study can be completed in 4 years by satisfying the requirements on an average of 8 credit hours per term. B.Min. students can apply for upgrading to the B.Th. degree during the last quarter of their third year if they have achieved an average grade of at least 85% in their academic work. Completion of a ministry project is required for upgrading.

In addition to degree programs of full-time study, BTS offers programs of study for all who want to learn how better to serve the Lord. These include:

Evening classes - Credit towards degree Certificate (non-credit) Dilpoma (non-credit)

Part-time study - day or evening Continuing education for vocational Christian workers - non-degree and non-credit

Auditing

Hours of Instruction

A student is expected to attend lectures for the following number of hours to earn credit for the various courses:

1 hour course = 16 hours per term (8 - 10 weeks): Worth 1 credit = 2 lecture hours per week in actual attendance

2 hour course = 32 hours per term (8 - 10 weeks): Worth 2 credits = 4 lecture hours per week in actual attendance

3 hour course = 48 hours per term (8 - 10 weeks): Worth 3 credits = 6 lecture hours per week in actual attendance

(One classroom lecture hour = 50 minutes.)

Field Education/Supervised Ministry

The Seminary Field Education/Supervised Ministry programme is designed to meet the practical training needs of seminary students. Training to help students relate their theological study to the demands of practical ministry includes:

1. Working closely with a pastor or other full-time minister who can serve as a role model in ministry. (In churches withouta pastor, an effort will be made to assign the student to an outside pastor who can serve as mentor to the student.)

2. Gaining as much practical experience as possible in a variety of ministries as preparation for future full-time service. Such practical exposure should broaden the students' understanding of ministry.

3. Discovering and developing spiritual gifts for ministry and gaining competence and confidence in the exercise of ministry skills.

4. Examining oneself in ministry through supervision and evaluation.

Possible Areas of Ministry

Grading System

The following grading system has been adopted after a careful study and evaluation of the grading systems of a number of theological institutions in South-East Asia:

Auditing a course

Although auditing a course is not normally encouraged, individuals who wish to do so must have the permission of the dean AND the lecturer conducting the course. All auditing students must follow the conditions laid down by the lecturer with regard to class attendance, assignments, and other course requirements. No transcripts will be issued to auditing students, but grade slips may be issued at the end of the course.

Academic Probation

New students will be on academic probation until they have satisfactorily completed sixteen credit hours.

Students failing a course during a term will be on academic probation the following term.

Students who fail more than one course in a term, including a withdraw failing (WF) will be counselled by the Dean regarding his or her programme of study at BTS. The Dean will also confer with the Faculty on such occasions on how to advise the student; to withdraw, to cut down the academic load per term, to enrol in remedial courses outside of BTS, or other counsel as the case may require. Students who fail 50% of the courses in a given term will be asked to withdraw unless determined otherwise by the faculty.

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The Seminary is guided by its principle of charging affordable and comparatively low fees for theological education. These charges do not reflect the full per-student costs to the Seminary* (see note). These low fees are made possible by the continued generous support of the Baptist constituency in Singapore.

Fees are based on CREDIT HOUR rather than TERM. This is the practice of most theological institutions. Baptist students are subsidized 50% by the Baptist constituency.

M.Div., B.Th., B.Min.:

$60.00 per credit hour (Baptist students - $30.00 per credit hour)

M.Div. Alternate:

$80.00 per credit hour (Baptist students - $40.00 per credit hour)

Part-time (day/evening class) students, special students and auditing students:

(For Certificate Programme charges, please see p.36) $60.00 per credit hour. (Baptist students pay $30.00)

* Note: The cost per student in relation to the estimated costs incurred by the Seminary is illustrated as follows in the case of the M.Div. and B.Th. programmes:

1. Master of Divinity (M.Div.), three-year programme:

Total cost for student - $ 1,440 (Baptists) - $ 2,880 (all others)

Estimated costs borne by the Seminary - $18,000.

2. Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) and Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.), four-year programme:

Total cost for student - $ 1,920 (Baptists) - $ 3,840 (all others)

Estimated costs borne by the Seminary - $24,000.

The Seminary is supported by the Singapore Baptist Convention, individual contributions from Baptists in Singapore, and occasional contributions from overseas Baptists. This explains why fees paid by students are nominal in relation to the estimated per student costs borne by the Seminary.

The following fee structure will also apply with effect 1 January 1996:

Application fee $20.00 (new students)

Registration fee: Baptist $25.00 (per quarter) Others $50.00 (per quarter)

Late registration fee $10.00 (per quarter)

Graduation fee $50.00 (all levels)

Transcript fee $10.00 (per set/upon request only)

Supplementary fee: Student card $10.00 (per renewal for part-time students) Library card $5.00 (per quarter) Computer use $10.00 (per quarter) Fax use $5.00 (per document for outstation)

Special fee (foreign students) Administrative charges: Banker's guarantee $10.00 (per renewal) Cashier's order $10.00 (per renewal) Student pass $10.00 (per renewal)

Refunds Full One week before course starts (less $20 administrative fee + materials) 60% Before the third lecture (less $20 administrative fee + materials) Nil After the third lecture

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Admissions

Applicants for admission to the program of study in preparation for vocational Christian ministry must meet the following requirements:

Christian Experience: The applicant must have had a genuine experience of conversion and be a church member in good standing. He/she must have definite call and commitment to a vocation in Christian ministry.

Church Affirmation: The applicant's call and commitment to full-time Christian ministry must be recognised by his/her church leaders, and his/her application to enrol in BTS must be endorsed by a formal vote of the church.

Good Health: In order to cope with the demands of seminary study and Christian ministry in the student's field education setting, the applicant must be physically healthy and emotionally stable.

Practical Maturity: The applicant must be at least 21 years old and must exhibit Christian and social maturity. Some work experience in a Christian or secular setting would be helpful.

Language Proficiency: To be effective in ministry, a student must gain proficiency in his or her major spoken language and develop confidence in communicating with others as well as in communicating the gospel message. The Seminary is concerned that students be able to speak, write, and conduct day-to-day conversations in keeping with the standards of proper English or Mandarin, as the case may be.

As such, applicants to BTS will, at the discretion of the Seminary, be requested to sit for an English/Mandarin language examination administered by the Seminary. Should they fail the examination, they will be advised to take the necessary steps to improve their language proficiency before reapplying for BTS. Should they pass the examination, but with an unsatisfactory grade, the applicants may, at the discretion of the Seminary, be admitted to study at BTS, but must attend remedial (non-credit) English/Mandarin language courses conducted by the Seminary.

Academic Requirements: Academic requirements for admission vary, depending on the programme of study desired. Following is a description of the degree courses offered by BTS and their accompanying academic requirements.

M.DIV. (Master of Divinity) Applicants must have earned a university degree or its equivalent.

M.DIV. (ALT.) (Master of Divinity Alternate) Applicants must have earned an acceptable B.Th. from a recognised theological institution.

B.TH. (Bachelor of Theology) Applicants must have successfully completed G.C.E. "A" level or its equivalent.

B.MIN. (Bachelor of Ministry) Applicants must have successfully completed G.C.E. "O" level or its equivalent.

Application Procedure: Application forms may be obtained from the Seminary administrative office, telephone 299-2244. Late applications for non-degree students will be considered.

THE SEMINARY ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS ON THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY. ALTHOUGH ENROLMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS PREFERABLE, APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR THE BEGINNING OF ANY QUARTER AS FOLLOWS:

1st Quarter: Apply by 15 November

2nd Quarter: Apply by 15 February

3rd Quarter: Apply by 15 May

4th Quarter: Apply by 15 July

Non-Credit Night Students

Applicants for admission to non-credit study in the evening classes must meet the following requirement.

Christian Experience:

The applicant must have had a genuine experience of conversion and be a church member in good standing.

It is the policy of the Seminary to encourage Baptist applicants from other countries to study at the Baptist Seminary of their own country, unless special circumstances make it necessary or more advantageous for them to study in Singapore. With this understanding, Baptist students from other countries are welcomed to study at Baptist Theological Seminary, but must meet all the above admission requirements and follow the application procedure.

As the Seminary does not offer financial aid or scholarships to students, applicants from other countries must give full evidence of having secured adequate financial support for the full course of their studies before being admitted to BTS. Foreign students should not solicit funds from local churches while studying at BTS.

Non-Baptist Applicants: BTS will not entertain an application from non-Baptist foreign students if it involves an application for a student visa, i.e., BTS will not apply for a student visa on their behalf.

As the Seminary does not have facilities to house students, all foreign students must be responsible for securing their own accommodation in Singapore.

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