SATS’s Master of Theology (MTh) is a structured programme, allowing students to specialise in one of several theological and ministerial streams. Students complete a coursework journey designed to strengthen their knowledge of a field, ministry competence, and research and communication skills. The programme culminates in a research and ministry portfolio.
We currently offer the following streams:
· New Testament (Greek competency required)
· Homiletics
· Christian Leadership
· Church and Society (Missiology)
· Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies
· Biblical Greek
If you have a four-year Bachelor's Honours degree in a theological field and wish to be further equipped for effective ministry, this programme is for you. The programme is designed to facilitate mastery of a field of theology and ministry through extensive reading, active engagement, practical application, scholarly writing, and effective communication. Instead of a thesis, students produce a research and ministry portfolio, which will contain various artefacts, including a journal-ready article.
The MTh is a 2½–3-year programme in which you collectively learn as a cohort. Intake for this programme will be twice a year (commencing on 1 February and 1 August, respectively). In the first 12 months, you choose one of our streams to specialise in. This specialisation phase entails ministry and research skills training, as well as exposure to the most important developments in your field through extensive reading, cohort engagement, and specialist guidance. In the second year, you learn how to write a journal article through a step-by-step process, guided by a publication specialist. Finally, you present your work to peers and learn how to communicate your argument to non-academic audiences through blog writing. Throughout the programme, you also engage deeply in ministry through projects aligned with your stream (e.g., preaching, exegetical writing, Bible translation, Christian counselling).
SATS has two other master’s programmes on NQF level 9. Our research-based MTh contains no credit-bearing coursework and culminates in a thesis. This programme is currently being phased out, and no new students will be accepted into the MTh (thesis) from 2027 onwards. The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is tailored for professionals credentialed in other fields who are seeking advanced training for ministry. It consists of 180 credits of coursework across the theological discipline with a 60-credit capstone research project. The MDiv is less specialised than the MTh, and students can articulate into it without having prior theological training.
The programme consists of 180 credits divided into theology and ministry specialisation, academic writing, presentation skills, and a research and ministry portfolio.
The programme layout can be seen below:
Year one (60 credits) | Theological Orientation (12 credits) |
Theology and Ministry Specialisation (48 credits) | |
Year two (60 credits) | Article Writing (30 credits) |
Article Presentation (30 credits) | |
Year three (60 credits) | Research and Ministry Portfolio (60 credits) |
To be admitted to the MTh, you must have maintained a minimum of 65% for your previous degree. Additionally, you must meet one of these admission requirements:
An accredited four-year Bachelor or Honours degree in a theological field, or
An accredited Bachelor Honours degree in another field accompanied by an accredited Diploma or Bachelor in Theology.
For the New Testament and Biblical Greek streams, proficiency in New Testament Greek is required. Students will be required to take a proficiency test at the beginning of the programme. Based on your performance, you may be required to complete SATS’s Greek 1 and 2 courses in addition to the programme courses.
Specialisations: Luke-Acts; Johannine Literature; Pauline Letters
The New Testament stream equips biblical scholars to responsibly read, interpret, apply, and communicate the books of the New Testament. The stream introduces students to the field of hermeneutics and an overview of the entire New Testament. Students will then choose to specialise in one of four New Testament corpi. Students applying for this stream need to have demonstrable Greek competency.
Homiletics is a culmination of exegetical, hermeneutical, and communication skills. Students learn to communicate textual study of the Bible in a way that is understandable, contextually relevant, and effectively presented for a specific audience. This stream covers exegetical and hermeneutical foundations, followed by a variety of preaching methods, techniques, and skills to preach from both Old and New Testament in one's context. Students will sharpen their critical thinking and analysis skills, present relevant sermons following different preaching methods, and explore their specific interest further through reading and writing.
Specialisations: Pastoral Leadership; Organisational Leadership and Development
The Christian Leadership stream equips pastoral and organisational leaders with advanced theological understanding, leadership competencies, and practical skills for effective ministry and organisational transformation. Rooted in biblical and theological foundations and enriched by leadership theories, management principles, and case-based learning, the programme equips leaders to engage the church and society effectively, advance the Kingdom of God, and promote holistic development. Students will be equipped to provide Christ-centred leadership, strategic direction, and organisational excellence in churches, ministries, educational institutions, and other Christian organisations.
The Church and Society stream explores the church’s missiological role in society, with particular attention to the proclamation of the Gospel and the church’s engagement with the world across diverse cultural and social contexts. Students will examine how the church can engage society in ways that are biblically grounded, contextually relevant, and responsive to contemporary challenges. The stream equips students to ground their research in Scripture to develop a strong biblical and theological foundation for understanding the relationship between church and society. Students will be equipped to critically engage societal issues and contribute thoughtfully to the church’s mission and witness in diverse contexts.
The Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies stream invites Christian leaders, particularly those serving Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, to explore the historical development of these movements from both global and local perspectives. It encourages critical engagement with the theologies shaping Spirit-oriented churches, their approaches to biblical interpretation, and their models of mission and church growth. The stream also examines their roles in the public life of local communities and their contributions to global Christianity. This stream will deepen your theological understanding and strengthen your capacity to support the continued growth of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity in your ministry context. It will equip you with scholarly knowledge and critical insights to address contemporary issues affecting these movements and to engage thoughtfully with their role in the public sphere.
If you are interested in completing a master’s degree for professional designation as a Christian counsellor, then this stream is for you. Our objective is to produce graduates who are competent Christian counsellors, equipped for ethical Christian counselling praxis. We aim to facilitate the development of people who have mastered the core skills of communicating, presenting, and practising within the field of Christian counselling. You can find out more about this specialisation HERE.
If you have learned biblical Greek at a foundational level and want to advance your skills to a high level of reading and exegetical proficiency, this stream is for you. By the end of this programme, you will be reading the Greek New Testament fluently. You will master the use of traditional and discourse grammar as tools for New Testament exegesis. To enrol for the programme, you must have completed two years of Greek studies, being familiar with all the foundational grammar.
Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses5 | ||
| GEN5121 | Theological Orientation | 12 credits |
| MTH5301 | Article Writing | 30 credits |
| MTH5302 | Article Presentation | 30 credits |
| MTH5481 | Theology and Ministry Specialisation | 48 credits |
| MTH5601 | Research Portfolio | 60 credits |
| Elective Courses3 | ||
| BGK5062 | Greek Reading 2 | 6 credits |
| GEN5122 | Academic Skills | 12 credits |
| MNT5182 | Johannine Literature | 18 credits |
Successful MTh graduates automatically have access to the Doctoral programmes in related fields at any accredited institution in South Africa, provided they achieve an aggregate of 60 per cent for the MTh programme.
The MTh is a 2½–3-year programme in which you will collectively learn as a cohort of students.