Course-Master of Theology

M.Th. Programme

The degree of Master of Theology (M.Th) is a post-graduate program offered by the Senate of Serampore College which was first introduced in the year 1948. The primary purpose of the M.Th. program is to train teachers for the various theological colleges in India. Over the past several years, the program has been also oriented toward equipping men and women for the diversified ministries of the Church. It also serves as a preparation for advanced research of doctoral studies.

The contemporary challenges that the church in India faces in the context of religious awakening and cultural pluralism, the issues of poverty and justice, ecology, people with disability, people living with HIV / AIDS, people with different sexual orientations, human trafficking, caste and gender discrimination, oppression of Adivasi, Dalits and Tribals,  and the concerns raised by liberation movements and social development groups call for a contextual and holistic approach to higher theological studies paying also attention to our heritage. Therefore, the M.Th Curriculum is designed as contextual, integrative and interdisciplinary approach to study with critical awareness of the need for specialization

Objectives of the M.Th Degree Program:

The primary objectives of the M.Th Program are:-

  1. To train candidates for teaching in theological college
  2. To equip candidates with adequate academic tools and skills for critical and methodological reflection and creative participation in the diversified ministries of the church.
  3. To develop holistic knowledge and proficiency in candidates so that they may engage in independent and contextual research, which may lead to advanced study at the doctoral level.
  4. To promote contextual, contemporary and interdisciplinary perspectives that will help critique our understanding of theology and develop an integrative, plural, diverse and holistic approach to achieve knowledge and thinking and deepen our understanding of spirituality.

Admission Requirements for the M.Th Degree Program:

The following persons may be permitted to register for the M.Th degree program:

  1. A person who has passed the BD examination of the Senate of Serampore College in Second Class with B – (Minus) Grade (52.5% and above) and obtained B Grade (57.5% and above) average in the cluster/branch in BD Studies, including the optional papers and thesis (if so written), under which the branch of candidate’s choice is clustered. A candidate’s grade of B (57.5%) is accepted either in the Cluster or Branch provided that the candidate has the adequate number of courses and language requirements in the intending M.Th branch. The candidate must have completed two courses in a particular branch. If a candidate does not have required courses in a branch or grade, s/he needs to write qualifying papers before joining the M.Th program.
  2. B. Th., B.C.S. and B. Miss graduates of the Senate of Serampore College who have completed two years of BD programs with a B – (Minus) (52.5%) Grade average as well as B (57.5%) in the cluster/ branch of specialisation.
  3. A Student who holds a theological degree that, in the opinion of the Academic Council of the Senate of Serampore College, is at least equivalent to BD with a minimum of B – (Minus) Grade (52.5% and above), as well as (57.5%) in the Cluster.
  4. A graduate who does not have B (57.5%) grade in the cluster/branch but a minimum B – (52,5%) grade in the overall aggregate should have completed two qualifying papers in the Branch and secured B Grade (57.5%) average.
  5. A graduate who passed the BD Examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing Third Division, completed five qualifying papers and secured a minimum of B Grade (57.5%).
  6. Candidates who have passed BD Degree from vernacular medium colleges should have completed BOS12 (English Paper-II) before joining the program.
  7. Senate BD graduates with Senate MCP degree are eligible to do a ONE-year M.Th. program in Christian Ministry (Pastoral Counselling) as per the provisions (3 Senate Papers + Thesis + Teaching Pedagogy = 28 Credits). They require second class marks – B grade or 57.5% average throughout their theological degrees and diplomas.
  8. Students who have completed MCS after doing their BD studies under the Senate will be eligible to register for the M.Th. program provided they have two years of requisite break or ministerial experience after MCS. They are qualified to do a ONE-year M.Th. program in the branches of Christian Ministry, History of Christianity, Missiology, Social Analysis, Communication, and Women Studies as provisions laid down (3 Senate Papers + Thesis + Teaching Pedagogy = 28 Credits). They require second class marks – B grade or 5% average throughout their theological degrees and diplomas.
  9. ATA M.Div. graduates (with HSLC (+2) and above) with Senate MCP degree shall be allowed to join for two years M.Th. in Pastoral Counselling. They require second class marks – B grade or 57.5% average throughout their theological degrees and diplomas.
  10. ATA (India) accredited as Full Member College’s M. Div degree holders with B Grade (57.5%) and above shall be eligible to register for M. Th provided they have completed five qualifying papers and secured not less than B Grade (57.5%) and above. Candidates without a minimum HSC (12th Pass) shall not be considered for admission.

Special Requirements:

  1. Before a candidate is registered for the M.Th course of studies, s/he shall have at least one year of practical experience in some field of Christian service after passing the BD or its equivalent theological degree. However, in the case of a candidate seeking registration to the Christian Ministry branch, one year of Practical experience in Ministry shall be required. The women candidates are exempted from this rule and are allowed to register for M.Th. studies without any break.
  2. The B.Th Degree holders who upgraded to the BD degree will be permitted to register for the M.Th course without a break of one year, provided they were engaged previously in Christian Ministry for a minimum of one year after receiving the B.Th degree.
  3. For admission to the M.Th course in a branch, the entire Cluster’s/Branch grade (whichever is higher) shall be calculated for average.
  4. Optional papers done under a cluster shall be calculated for the cluster average.
  5. It is expected from a student to write a Thesis at BD Leve The Colleges offering M.Th Studies, however, shall take special care to help all candidates qualified to register for M.Th who have not written a thesis at BD level.
  6. Thesis at BD Level is equivalent to eight credits and shall be included in the appropriate cluster per the thesis’s title. While the average is calculated, the thesis grade shall also be counted as part of the cluster. To qualify for M.Th study, candidates don’t need to write the thesis in the intended branch.
  7. Specific additional requirements for admission are given along with the details for each Branch of study.

Language Requirements:

In addition to the above, candidates are expected to fulfil the following requirements for admission to various branches.

a.    Old Testament:

The candidates should have passed at least TWO Hebrew Exegetical Papers at BD Level (excluding the preliminary and advanced courses BBO11 & BBO12), securing a Second Class (57.5% and above) average. All the subjects completed in the branch will be calculated to arrive at the average, including Preliminary and Advanced Hebrew papers.

b.    New Testament:

The candidates should have passed at least TWO Greek Exegetical Papers at BD Level (excluding the preliminary and advanced courses BBN01 & BBN02) with a minimum of Second Class (57.5% and above)) average. All the subjects completed in the branch will be calculated to arrive at the average, including Preliminary and Advanced Greek papers.

c.      Christian Theology

Students who intend to do M.Th. in Christian Theology must complete Greek or Hebrew up to the advanced level (BBN01 and BBN02 or BBO11 and BBO12). Henceforth no exegetical papers are required for students seeking admission to M.Th. in Christian Theology. In lieu of language requirement, the candidates seeking admission in M.Th. in Christian Theology may be permitted if they have completed Cultural Anthropology with a minimum of 52.5% and above (B- grade).

In the case of Latin or Syriac, s/he should have passed the examination conducted by the Senate, or a Classical language of India such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia passed either as first or second language in the 10th standard examinations conducted by a State Board or a National Board of Examinations. Only a pass mark is required in the case of Classical language for M.Th. in Christian Theology. The language papers will not be calculated to arrive at the branch average for M.Th. studies.

d.    Religion

  1. A candidate should have passed B.D level paper in Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Arabic, or Gurmukhi for studying Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism, respectively.

OR

      2. Candidates choosing to do Primal Religion of the North-East India region should have passed a BD level paper with a B – grade (52.5% and above) in Cultural Anthropology (BRS65) conducted by the Senate. Also, knowledge of one language (dialect) other than the official languages is required, preferably the language of a people group of the candidate’s field of research. This shall be examined by the College where the student intends to do M.Th.

OR

    3. Candidates choosing to do Primal Religion of other regions of India should have passed a BD level paper with a B – grade (52.5% and above) in Cultural Anthropology (BRS65) conducted by the Senate or a Classical language of India such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia passed either as first or second language in 10th standard, examinations conducted by the State Boards or National Boards of Education. Also, knowledge of one language (dialect) other than the official languages is required, preferably the language of a people group of the candidate’s field of research. This shall be examined by the College where the student intends to do M.Th.

     4. Only a pass mark is required in the classical language. The language papers shall not be calculated to arrive at the branch average for M.Th. studies

    5. Candidates who want to pursue M.Th in Religions, should have completed together with the following papers at the BD level or else they will have to qualify in both or one paper as the need be for each specialisation before joining the M.Th Program:

  1. Sanskrit and Hindu Religious Traditions – Hinduism
  2. Arabic and Islamic Religious Traditions – Islam
  3. Gurumukhi and Sikh Religious Traditions – Sikhism
  4. Pali and Buddhist Religious Traditions – Buddhism
  5. Prakrit and Jaina Religious Traditions – Jainism
  6. Cultural Anthropology and Primal Religious Traditions – Primal Religions