Postgraduate

Master of Divinity

This is a two-year professional master’s degree designed for pastors. Since it does not require a prior degree in theology, it is the ideal gateway into advanced theological and ministerial training for second-career pastors. As with all SATS offerings, the MDiv is 100 per cent online, affording busy pastors and leaders the opportunity to receive high-level training within their ministry context.

The SATS MDiv is a 240-credit degree, consisting of 180 credits of coursework and a 60-credit capstone project. To register for the MDiv, you need an accredited four-year degree or equivalent with above-average grades. In South Africa, this means a qualification on NQF level 8 with an average of at least 60 per cent. For foreign applicants, we calculate equivalents on a case-by-case basis. You do not need to have any prior studies in theology. Your degree can be in English, Engineering, Education, or any other academic discipline. If you have a three-year degree (NQF 7 in South Africa), we recommend starting with the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology.

Please note that the MDiv programme does not necessarily grant direct access to the PhD programme; the MDiv grants access to the MTh programme, which in turn grants access to the PhD.

Do I Qualify?

To be admitted to the Master of Divinity, a candidate must have maintained an above-average grade in their previous degree. Additionally, a candidate must meet one of these admission requirements:

  • An accredited four-year Bachelor's degree in any field.

  • An accredited Bachelor Honours degree in any field.

You do not need to have any prior studies in theology. Your degree can be in English, Engineering, Education, or any other academic discipline. If you have a three-year degree (NQF 7 in South Africa), we recommend applying for our Postgraduate Diploma in Theology.

Each course, including the Thesis, must be paid in full before the start of the term in which it is taken. Part payments are not permitted.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

  1. Analyse, interpret, and apply primary and secondary Christian sources, exegetically and theologically.

  2. Develop and manage independent learning strategies that sustain lifelong learning and academic and professional development.

  3. Develop contextual ministry and mission strategies to help Christian faith communities respond biblically and receptively to major ideological forces at work in the world.

  4. Identify, analyse, and critique contemporary societal needs and develop constructive and creative strategies for transformation, at both the local and global level.

  5. Effectively communicate the findings and implications of biblical, theological, and ministerial research to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

  6. Undertake advanced, independent theological research within a chosen field of theological enquiry and report the findings inappropriate ways to diverse audiences.

  7. Demonstrate the ability to contribute critically and creatively to the development of ethical standards in a Christian ministry context.

Courses

Programme requirements

Compulsory Courses

These are the courses that you must do in order to graduate from the MDiv. If you earn 240 credits but do not have all of them as completed courses, you will not be eligible to graduate.

Total Credits (240)

The MDiv requires that you earn a minimum of 240 total credits. This includes 96 Compulsory course credits plus 144 Elective course credits (2 courses from each sub-discipline category plus 2 extra courses from any category = 12 Elective courses)

Additional requirements

Select a requirement to filter the courses shown below.

Code
Course
Credits
Compulsory Courses3
GEN5121Theological Orientation12 credits
MIN5241Ministry Practicum24 credits
RES5600MDiv Research Project60 credits
Elective Courses14
BIB4123Ephesians: The Unified Church12 credits
CHS5122African Worldview and Religion12 credits
CHS5123Understanding the Times12 credits
NTS5121The Gospels: What Jesus Taught12 credits
NTS5122Pastoral Epistles and Pastoral Ministry12 credits
NTS5124Acts: The Missional Church12 credits
OTS5121Deuteronomy and Biblical Ethics12 credits
OTS5123The Psalms: Prayers and Praises12 credits
PRA4122Judges and Narrative Preaching12 credits
PTS5122Expository Preaching12 credits
PTS5124Discipleship12 credits
THE4123Children, Bible and Theology12 credits
THE5121The Kingdom in Church and Mission12 credits
THE5123The Holy Spirit: A Global Perspective12 credits
Pricing

Click here to see the Full Price List for all programmes

Kindly note that all fees paid to SATS are non-refundable.

Complete our online application form, or contact us.