The Master of Theology (MTh) is a two-year (full-time equivalent) 180 or 240 credit degree. It provides an advanced level theological qualification for those who have already completed a recognised Bachelor’s level degree in theology and want to upgrade their qualifications in a specific area or extend their understanding of Christian ministries. The degree provides opportunity for Master’s level biblical and theological study related to the fields of Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral, Missional and Contextual Studies, and for students to pursue a research project in an area they are interested in.

Students can study towards the MTh on campus in Henderson. Courses are typically offered in block-mode, allowing for students outside of the Auckland region to take part. Students who successfully complete the first year of the MTh, but do not wish to continue to second year studies, will be awarded a level 8 Postgraduate Diploma in Theology.

Click here for information about admissions requirements for the MTh.

Structure

The Master of Theology Degree is at least 240 credits except where:

• it builds on a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours or an equivalent qualification, or significant relevant professional experience, in which cases it can be fewer than 240 but no fewer than 120 credits of which no less than 90 must be at NZQA level 9.
• it builds on a three-year bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification completed at with a Grade Point average of at least 7.0 (B) in level 6 & 7 courses, in which cases it can be fewer than 240 but no fewer than 180 credits of which no less than 60 must be at NZQA level 9.

Objectives

On completion of the MTh programme, students should be able to:

• evaluate critically a wide spectrum of literature in each of the coursework areas and in the areas of the research undertaken;
• demonstrate mastery of the issues of debate in each of these areas;
• give a fair and informed account of representative points of view in each subject area
• write a coherent narrative survey which is internally consistent, interacts critically with central issues, and demonstrates ability to form a reasoned opinion;
• utilise sound hermeneutical principles in contextualising biblical theology within the subject areas studied;
• demonstrate advanced skills of research, critical analysis and constructive synthesis, and application so as to make a significant contribution to knowledge in their area of specialisation;
• demonstrate the distinctive contribution of biblical and theological principles to central issues in their subject areas;
• participate in the international academic discussion of their field of study with a competence appropriate to Master’s level
• reflect on the professional, ethical and relational implications of their study for ministry in the modern world

Programme Requirements and Flexible Structures

LEVEL 8 ENTRY

The MTh degree may be completed with 180 credits where the candidate has completed a recognized three-year Bachelor’s degree in Theology or Ministry, with a grade point average of 7.0 (B) in courses of the qualifying undergraduate programme at NZQA levels 6 and 7.

The MTh degree requires 240 credits where the candidate holds a recognised Bachelor’s level degree in a discipline other than Theology of Ministry and has completed a bridging programme such as Laidlaw’s 120 credit Graduate Diploma in Theology with a grade point average of 7.0 (B) at NZQA level 7.

LEVEL 9 ENTRY

The MTh degree may be completed with 120 credits where the candidate has completed a four-year Honours degree in Theology or Ministry with first or second class Honours OR a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology with merit.