The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary currently offers four programs of study in Theology:

The Certificate of Theology (CertTh) is designed as a one-year full-time College-level program, which can also be taken part-time.

The CertTh program forms the foundational studies for the DipTh, BTh, and MDiv programs, but is also an ideal stand-alone program for Christians who desire in-depth Christian bases for life and ministry. Schoolteachers, Christians engaged in the workplace, nurses and doctors, businesspeople, NGO workers, and homemakers, can all gain significant intellectual, practical, and formational benefit from studying the CertTh program.

Students with a previous post-secondary degree and strong English language comprehension may apply to enter the Post-Graduate Certificate of Theology (PostGradCertTh) program. The curricular shape is as described for the Certificate of Theology (CertTh) program, but course requirements are completed at the Master of Divinity level rather than the Bachelor of Theology level (see below).

The Diploma of Theology (DipTh) is designed as a two-year full-time College-level program of study, which can also be taken part-time.

The DipTh program involves the completion of the CertTh year in addition to another year of study at ABTS, providing skills in biblical, historical, theological, social, and personal reflection, specialist ministry skills, and personal formation.

The DipTh is ideally suited for men and women who want solid academic training in theological studies, extensive skill development for specific ministries, and mentoring and training in personal character development and growth, but who are unable to engage in a full three years of study.

Students with a previous post-secondary degree and strong English language comprehension may apply to enter the Post-Graduate Diploma of Theology (PostGradDipTh) program. The curricular shape is as described for the Diploma of Theology (DipTh) program, but course requirements are completed at the Master of Divinity level rather than the Bachelor of Theology level (see below).

The Bachelor of Theology (BTh) is designed as a three-year full-time College-level program of study, which can also be taken part-time.

The BTh program applies the foundations of the CertTh year in a spiral of ever-deepening biblical, historical, theological, social, and personal reflection, through which Christians become thoroughly equipped at integrated interpretation of life and ministry for faithful service. In addition, participants in the BTh are given in-depth ministry training in one of three specialist tracks – pastoral, church planting, or children, youth, and family ministry.

The creative shape of the ABTS BTh program has been internationally recognized as a leader in integrative leadership formation. The BTh is ideally suited for men and women who want solid academic training in theological studies, extensive skill development for specific ministries, and mentoring and training in personal character development and growth.

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is designed as a three-year full-time graduate-level program of study, which can also be taken part-time.

The MDiv program is equivalent in shape to the BTh program, but has more advanced entry requirements, additional work requirements in each element of the curriculum, and more demanding expectations in terms of quality of the work produced. Consequently while the elements of the expected outcomes of the MDiv program are comparable to those of the BTh program, the expectation is that MDiv graduates will evidence greater depth and breadth of learning, and greater ability in analytic, synthetic, and evaluative reflection than is expected from BTh graduates.

The MDiv program is ideally suited for men and women who want solid academic training in theological studies, extensive skill development for specific ministries, and mentoring and training in personal character development and growth, who already have a university degree, have proven ability in accessing and using English-language resources, and who are anticipating a future in complex ministry contexts that require extensive creative and analytic skill, combined with a strong heart for ministry.

Full-time and Part-time Study and Auditing

ABTS uses the European ECTS Credit system of 60 credits per year of full-time study, embracing both formal and non-formal learning components. 60 ECTS Credits is comparable to 40 Credits under the American Carnegie counting system used in many schools.

College level students (CertTh, DipTh, and BTh) are expected to complete 25 hours, and graduate level students (MDiv and MRel) are expected to complete 30 hours of learning activity for each ECTS Credit. Consequently full-time students at ABTS are expected to complete 1500-1800 hours of learning activity each year, which entails an average of 45-50 hours per week for first year students (over 34 weeks), and 38-45 hours per week for second and third year students (over 40 weeks each year).

ABTS recognizes that many students are unable to commit themselves to full-time study, and affirms the value of part-time studies. Consequently the whole of the CertTh program is made available on a biannual rotating basis in both mornings and evenings, and the same is done for the BTh on a four-yearly cycle.

Part-time students must fulfill all full-time requirements in order to graduate. Because of ABTS’ commitment to integrative learning, part-time students must complete all parts of integrative modules, including the integrative project, in order to receive academic credit. However the module units do not need to be taken at the same time, and may be completed over the course of several years.

Auditors. All CertTh courses and some other courses are open to the public for a notional fee. Lay leaders who are unable to commit to out-of-class study requirements are nonetheless encouraged to attend classes from the CertTh program at ABTS. However, auditors must register at the Academic Office in order to attend.

 For information on admission, click here .