Planning your studies for BTh or Grad Dip Th

Understanding the components that make up the structure of the diploma/degree, avoids you finding out later that the papers you completed cannot be counted towards your programme of study.

[Information on Diploma and Certificate studies can be found on this website. ]

What’s the recommended programme? Where should I start?

The Graduate Diploma is deliberately a very flexible award that requires the completion of eight papers, five of which must be at stage 3.  Students can start with stage 3 papers without having done stage 1 or 2 papers.

Any combination of papers can be selected provided you include the compulsory paper, T7101 Introduction to Theology.  While there is no recommended programme the College encourages some Biblical Studies papers.

Follow these basic rules or guidelines  to help you in planning what courses to take.

The Bachelor of Theology is a more structured programme that consists of 24 papers. As part of your degree you need to complete two majors and one sub-major.

A Bachelor of Theology degree requires you to have certain subjects in it:

THEOLOGY AS A COMPULSORY FIRST MAJOR

Also called Systematic Theology which is a bit like advanced Religious Studies.  You must do six theology papers to complete your First-Major, including not more than two stage 1 papers e.g. T71XX and at least one stage 3 paper e.g. T73XX.  Refer to this study pathway for Theology.

BIBLICAL STUDIES AS A COMPULSORY SUB-MAJOR

You also need to know about Scripture, so must do four Biblical Studies papers to complete your compulsory Sub-Major. Refer to this study pathway for details.

SECOND-MAJOR OF YOUR CHOICE

Plus there are a bunch of other subjects from which you choose your Second-Major and this enables you to tailor study to your interests.  6 papers are required to complete either Option A (Humanities in the Christian Tradition) or Option B (Christian Life and Ministry).

A good place to start is the following compulsory first year papers:

T7101 Introduction to Theology  for the First-Major

B7110 Introduction to Biblical Studies  for the Sub-Major

It is expected that students start off their Bachelor of Theology award with the 100-level papers, which are normally the prerequisites for the 200-level or 300-level papers.

You should ensure that your papers are appropriate for your intended qualification by referring to the planning guide.

If you need help deciding what programme might be right for you, or what courses to take, contact the m.connor@ctc.ac.nz

He can also give you advice on progress to completion, graduation, credit for previous study, changing programmes, progression between qualifications, as well as advice on planning and sequencing your paper choices.