Bachelor of Theology
B.Th is a four year undergraduate degree which prepares the candidate for fulltime ministry in the church and related services.
a) Entrance Requirements: Matriculation Passed or Equivalent is required for application. A three-hour entrance examination based on knowledge of English and Bible, and personal interview are necessary.
b) Course Credit: Academic credit is measured in semester hours. A core course or major subject has one class period of 4 hours per week for 16 weeks including exam weeks (64 teaching hours). A minor subject has one class period of 2 hours per week for 16 weeks including exam weeks (32 teaching hours).
c) Course Load: The maximum course load for any semester is 18 credit hours.
d) Semesters: An academic year is divided into two semesters: first semester begins in June and ends in September; second semester begins in the second week of October and ends first week of March.
e) Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
| A | 93-100 | 4.0 |
| A- | 89-92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 86-88 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-85 | 3.0 |
| B- | 79-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 76-78 | 2.3 |
| C | 73-75 | 2.0 |
| C- | 69-72 | 1.7 |
| F | Below 68 |
(f) Graduation Requirements:
To graduate a student must:
- Fulfill 120 credit hours
- Complete field works, internship, and Research Paper 5,000 – 6,000 words
- Obtain grade point average (GPA) 2.5 and above
(i) List of Courses:
Biblical Studies (34 credit hrs)
Old Testament
OT Introduction 4 hrs
OT Prophets 2 hrs
OT Theology 4 hrs
OT Exegesis 2 hrs
Poetical and Wisdom Literature 2 hrs
Biblical Hebrew 2 hrs
New Testament
NT Introduction 4 hrs
NT Exegesis 2 hrs
NT Theology 4 hrs
Life and Teaching of Christ 2 hrs
Life and Teaching of Paul 2 hrs
Book Study (Romans/Revelation) 2 hrs
Biblical Greek 2 hrs
Historical/Mission Studies (24 credit hrs)
Church History (Apostolic Church to Modern) 4 hrs
Asian Church History 2 hrs
Myanmar Church History 2 hrs
Ecumenics 2 hrs
Denominational Studies 2 hrs
Baptist Heritage 2 hrs
World Religions 2 hrs
Buddhism 2 hrs
World Mission 2 hrs
Missiology 2 hrs
Church Planting 2 hrs
Theological Studies (28 credit hrs)
Systematic Theology 4 hrs
Church and Ethics 4 hrs
Contemporary Theology 2 hrs
Contextual Theology 2 hrs
Asian Theology 2 hrs
Gender Studies 2 hrs
Church and Society 2 hrs
Philosophy 2 hrs
Christian Psychology 2 hrs
Hermeneutics and Theology 2 hrs
Theology of Media and Communication 2 hrs
Basic Theological Terms 2 hrs
Practical Studies (46 credit hrs)
Christian Education I (Intro) 2 hrs
Christian Education II (Children) 2 hrs
Christian Education III (Youth and Adult) 2 hrs
Christian Education V (Home and Family) 2 hrs
Basic Christianity 2 hrs
Spiritual Formation 2 hrs
Foundation for Christian Ministry 2 hrs
Pastoral Theology 4 hrs
Church Management 2 hrs
Servant Leadership 2 hrs
Organizational Leadership 2 hrs
Care and Counseling 2 hrs
Homiletics 2 hrs
Worship and Liturgy 2 hrs
Social Work in Christian Ministry 2 hrs
Disable Studies 2 hrs
Diakonia Ministry 2 hrs
Church Music 2 hrs
Field works 2 hrs
Internship 2 hrs
Research 4 hrs
Diploma in Theology
Dip.Th is a four year program which prepares the candidate for fulltime ministry in the churches and related services.
a) Entrance Requirements: Grade IX passed is eligible for application. 3 hours exam on knowledge of English and Bible, and personal interview are required for admission.
b) Graduation Requirements, Course Credit, Course Load, Semesters, List of Courses are the same with B.Th.
9.3 Master of Divinity
a) Program Description
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the basic professional theological degree and is typically completed in three years. The M.Div. program is designed to prepare men and women for ordination into the Christian ministry and ministerial leadership in the church. The program may also serve to prepare those interested in extension ministries, work with non-profit organizations, and teaching.
b) Objectives
The objective of M.Div. program is to prepare Christian men and women for pastoral work, various Christian ministries, and further theological study, by equipping them with effective ministerial skills, insightful theological imaginations, and a balanced spirituality. Graduates are expected to acquire the ability and skill to lead the church and make both responsive and proactive actions in the community and in the wider society.
c) Prerequisite
Applicants must hold either a bachelor level theological degree (B.Th.) obtained from any of ATEM-recognized schools or a bachelor level secular degree obtained from any of the state-run universities.
d) Course Load: The maximum course load for any semester is 18 credit hours.
e) Semesters: An academic year is divided into two semesters: first semester begins in June and ends in September; second semester begins in October and ends first week of March.
f) Grading System:
| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
| A | 93-100 | 4.0 |
| A- | 89-92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 86-88 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-85 | 3.0 |
| B- | 79-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 76-78 | 2.3 |
| C | 73-75 | 2.0 |
| C- | 69-72 | 1.7 |
| F | Below 68 | |
g) Graduation Requirements: The candidate must complete minimum 96 credits (64 credits for students with theological degrees.) in the areas of Biblical, Historical, Theological, Practical, and Mission, complete field works and internship, and submit a Research Paper 6,000 – 7,000 words. The candidate must obtain grade point average (GPA) 2.5 and above in order to graduate.
h) Competencies and List of Courses
The competency here is understood as the master level of comprehension and skills required to fulfill the primary objective of the program, reflecting the vision and mission statements of the College. M.Div. graduates are expected to have achieved competencies in the following five different areas of study:
Area I: Biblical Studies (26 credit hrs)
– understanding the background, the structure, and the nature of biblical books
– acquiring working knowledge on Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek
– analyzing biblical texts by using different methods and approaches
– interpreting the message/s of the Bible in one’s context or in various contexts
– Subjects:
• OT Survey 4 credit hrs
• NT Survey 4 credit hrs
• Canonization of the Bible 2 credit hrs
• Greek 3 credit hrs
• Hebrew 3 credit hrs
• Exegetical and Expository Preaching 2 credit hrs
• OT Theology 4 credit hrs
• NT Theology 4 credit hrs
Area II: Theological Studies (20 credit hrs)
– understanding different theological methods and systems
– seeking to provide relevant theological answers to the existential questions raised by
people in their sufferings, struggles, and critical situations
– constructing theological imaginations that will bring about hope and change
– Subjects:
• Systematic Theology 4 credit hrs
• Church and Ethics 2 credit hrs
• Theology and Hermeneutics 2 credit hrs
• Eco-Theology 2 credit hrs
• Liberation Theology 2 credit hrs
• Theology of Embrace 2 credit hrs
• Women and Egalitarianism 2 credit hrs
• Gender Studies 2 credit hrs
• Theology of Involvement 2 credit hrs
Area III: Historical Studies (14 credit hrs)
– acknowledging God as the Lord of history
– recognizing the different methods of studying Church history
– tracing critically the history of the Church, its successes and failures
– understanding the different denominations and their contributions
– looking ahead the future of the present Church
– Subjects
• Church History 4 credit hrs
• Eastern Church History 2 credit hrs
• Myanmar Church History 2 credit hrs
• Ecumenics 2 credit hrs
• Denominational Studies 2 credit hrs
• Baptist Heritage 2 credit hrs
Area IV: Mission Studies (14 credit hrs)
– understanding biblical foundation of mission
– taking lessons from the history of mission
– emphasizing the role of dialogue in doing mission
– understanding other religions
– rethinking the motives and methods of evangelism
– Subjects:
• Biblical Foundations of Mission 2 credit hrs
• Major Faith Traditions 2 credit hrs
• Interfaith Dialogue as Mission 2 credit hrs
• Theology of Mission 2 credit hrs
• Development and Communication 2 credit hrs
• Political Buddhism in Myanmar 2 credit hrs
• Evangelism 2 credit hrs
Area IV: Practical Studies (28 credit hrs)
– learning and practicing the various pastoral skills – preaching, caring, guiding, etc.
– applying the pedagogical and nurturing methods in Church Education
– having a concern for the weak, the disabled, and the least
– using music properly for the Church and Christian ministries
– improving English skill for ministry
– Subjects:
• Christian Education 4 credit hrs
• Pastoral Theology 2 credit hrs
• Pastoral Care and Counseling 2 credit hrs
• Church and Robert’s Rule 2 credit hrs
• Issues Facing the Church Today 2 credit hrs
• Theology of Worship 2 credit hrs
• Spiritual Formation 2 credit hrs
• Servant Leadership 2 credit hrs
• Disability Studies 2 credit hrs
• Diakonia Ministry 2 credit hrs
• Field Education (Internship, Fieldwork) 4 credit hrs
• Thesis 4 credit hrs