ACCREDITED DISTANCE LEARNING THEOLOGY DEGREES - PHD / DOCTORAL, MASTERS, BACHELORS

At the start of the Masters and Doctoral courses, each student is required to submit a Research Proposal prepared in accordance with the regulations of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). this will be evaluated by the Academic Board of GST, the Faculty of Theology NWU and by the Committee for Advanced Degrees of the University. A student will receive help from a GST tutor in preparing this RP and a written report following its submission. A second tutor from NWU will also be appointed on approval of the RP. Both tutors will then assist the student throughout the preparation and presentation of the dissertation/thesis process.

Bachelors Degree - BA(Honours) Theology - A minimum total of 136 credits

PART 1 - 76 credits

Compulsory modules:

1. Old Testament (20 credits)
2. Christian Doctrine (16 credits)
3. Research Methodology (8 credits)

Elective Modules - Choose any TWO modules of 16 credits each:

1. Pastoral Studies & Counseling (16 credits)
2. Ethics & Social Action (16 credits)
3. Church History & Dogma (16 credits)

PART 2 - 68 credits

Compulsory modules:

1. New Testament (20 credits)
2. Mini-dissertation (32 credits)

Elective Module : Choose any ONE module

1. Worship & Liturgy (16 credits)
2. Mission & Evangelism(16 credits)
3. Church Administration (16 credits)
4. Religious & Christian Education (16 credits)

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Masters Degree - MA (Research) Theology - a total of 128 credits:

Requirements for Masters degree in Theology

A dissertation of not less than 30,000 words on a religious / theological area of the student's choice from the options below is required for the Masters degree in Theology (the dissertation must be preceded by a Research Proposal):

Religious / Theological Areas of study for the Masters degree

Dogmatics; Ethics; Greek; Homiletics; Catechetics; Church and Dogma History; Church Polity; Liturgics; Missiology; New Testament; Old Testament; Pastoral Studies; Semitic Languages.

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Doctoral / PhD Theology degree - a total of 360 credits:

Requirements for Doctorate / PHD degree in Theology

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in theology is gained through the successful completion of a thesis of 60,000 to 80,000 words and is open to graduates who have gained a Master’s degree in Theology by research. Candidates with either a Master’s degree in Divinity (MDiv) or any other Master’s degree in Theology that did not require the student to submit for external examination a research dissertation of not less than 30,000 words or an unaccredited Master’s degree in Theology or related subject (eg Religious Studies) may not automatically meet the entry requirements for this degree programme, but can access the joint programme MA/PhD at a considerable financial saving to the normal route.

The PhD thesis will embody independent research work of distinction and will be deemed by the External Examiner(s) and the Vice-President to be worthy of publication in whole or in part. Applicants should first submit a Research Proposal to the Registrar prepared in accordance with NWU guidelines provided specifically for this purpose.

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General Degree Regulations for Greenwich School of Theology distance learnig degrees

1. A Research Proposal (RP) completed to meet the University’s regulations must be submitted first to the tutor and then to the Registrar. This will be examined by the Academic Board UK and by NWU. After being examined by NWU the tutor and the student will receive a written report on the feasibilty of the RP. If modifications are required, these must be completed promptly and the RP re-submitted for full approval.
   
2. All degree submissions will be examined by at least two Examiners appointed by the School; submissions are also examined by two Examiners from the Faculty of Theology of the University and one External Examiner appointed by NWU. The criteria for assessment are provided to students in a separate document.
   
3. Students are required to use the Harvard System of Citation. A guide to the use of this is made available to students.
   
4. A candidate may pass, fail, or be referred at the end of any distance learning course. In cases of referral, the Registrar, together with the Examiners, will recommend to the student via his/her Tutor the remedial steps to be taken.
   
5. All students are required to contact the Tutor at the outset of the distant learning course and thereafter to submit work as it develops and at regular intervals. No student may submit work for examination which has not been assessed and approved by the tutors.
   
6. All modules for the Bachelors in Theology degree BA (Hons) course must be submitted to the Tutor at regular intervals to be assessed. The Tutor will submit the module with his/her mark and written comments to the Registrar. The modules will be returned to the Tutor with the assessment of the Registrar/Examiner. The student will receive a report on his/her work and the final grading. Preparation of the mini-dissertation must be preceded by the submission of a Research Proposal. A Guide on distance learning theology degrees is provided for this purpose.

General Regulations concerning Theses, Dissertations and Examinations for all Greenwich School of Theology distance learning degrees

For the purpose of these regulations:

… a thesis for a doctoral degree (in theology) is defined as a piece of written research embodying 60,000 to 80,000 words and which forms a distinct contribution to knowledge and professional skills and affords evidence of originality.

… a (mini-) dissertation and a module are ordered and critical expositions of existing knowledge.

A thesis or (mini-) dissertation must not have been submitted in substantially the same form for the award of a higher degree or qualification from another University or College. Before submission, each student is required to sign the ‘Solemn Declaration’ document to confirm this.

1. A mini-dissertation for the degree of Bachelors degree in theologyBA (Hons) should not normally exceed 12,000 words.
   
2. A dissertation for the degree of Masters degree in theology (MA) should not normally exceed 35,000 to 40,000 words.
   
3. A thesis for the degree of doctorae / PhD degree in theology should not normally exceed 80,000 words.
   
4. Sections of a thesis/dissertation that have been published or submitted for a higher degree or qualification elsewhere must be clearly indicated.
   
5. There are two submission dates for Greenwich School of Theology distance learning degrees in any year for Bachelors and Masters degrees:
   a) March (results due out in September) and
   b) November (results due out in February).
   
6. Students submitting for Doctoral / PHD degrees should do so before:
   a) 28 February (results out by the end of August) or
   b) 30 October (results by the following February).
   
7. TWO unbound copies of each completed mini-dissertation for Bachelors degree - BA (Honours) must be submitted to the Liaison Administrator for examination purposes.
   
8. FOUR unbound copies of dissertations/thesis for Masters and Doctoral degree courses must be submitted to the Liaison Administrator for examination purposes.
   
9. Once the degree has been awarded, research students are required to provide SIX bound copies to North-West University (South Africa) and ONE bound copy to the Liaison Administrator of Greenwich School of Theology.

Bachelors Degree / BA (Honours) students are requested to provide ONE bound copy to the Liaison Administrator.)

A Research Proposal is required for all mini-dissertations, dissertations and theses.
The Guidelines for these are supplied to students on registration.
The library at North-West University is able to carry out a literature search for any student fully registered with the University: the student number is required for the purposes of identification and may be obtained from Central Office.
In modified essay form the RP becomes Chapter 1: Introduction of the mini-dissertation/ dissertation/thesis. The references used in the original RP submission must be integrated into the full bibliography.

Format for the Presentation of Theses and (mini-) Dissertations

Binding
The binding must be of a fixed kind in which the leaves are permanently secured. The boards must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the work when the book is standing on a shelf. The covering must be in the standard form of black waterproof buckram cloth except in the case of Doctoral PHD degrees, which must be bound in scarlet.

Cover Title
The outside front cover must bear the following: a full title and sub-titles (if any) of the work at the top in at least 18pt (5mm) gold lettering; the initials and surname of the candidate; the qualification in brackets for which the thesis is submitted and the year of submission. The lettering must read from top to bottom, ie so as to be readable when the volume is lying flat with the front cover uppermost. If the work consists of more than one volume, the spine and front cover must also bear the number of each volume. The title and candidate name may also be suitably arranged on the spine of the bound work.

Type
Theses and dissertations must be presented in typescript or print. Copies produced by xerographic or comparably permanent processes are acceptable. White paper of A4 size must be used, which must be of good quality and of sufficient opacity for normal reading and printed on one side of the paper only.

Lay-out

• Margins at the binding (left hand side) edge must be not less than 40mm, and other margins not less than 20mm.
  
• Line spacing should be 1.5 (except for indented quotations where single spacing must be used).
  
• Font sizes vary but 12 is a good size to use.
  
• Paragraphs must be blocked and separated by double spacing.
  
• No section must be started within the last 5 lines of any page.

Pagination
Pages must be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis including photographs and/or diagrams where possible.

Title Page
The title page must give precise information. (Please confer with the Registrar’s office to confirm the details of this before submitting the unbound copies.)

Chapters
Chapters should each start on a fresh page.
Chapter headings should be placed to the left of the page; chapters and subsections of chapters should be numbered to correspond with those designated in the Research Proposal. Numbering should be numerical not alphabetical; hence 1.1.

Abbreviations
Where abbreviations are used a key should be provided. As a general rule, however, abbreviations should be avoided where possible.

Drawings, Maps, etc
Wherever practicable, such illustrative matter must have a binding margin of at least 40mm and, if possible, be bound in the thesis near the appropriate text. Material that cannot be conveniently bound in the work must be included in a pocket inside the back cover or presented in such a way as may be determined by the Registrar.

Consistency
Whatever style is used, for instance for writing numbers (ie words or digits), for lay-out etc, it is important to be consistent throughout the work.

Bibliography
Specific regulations must be followed in the presentation of this aspect of the thesis. A separate document provides details of these.

Language Read
It is now a stipulatory requirement by the accrediting University in South Africa that all essays, monographs, mini-dissertations, dissertations and theses be subject to a full language read (ie proofread) prior to final submission. This facility is arranged through either the GST Registrar or Central Office for a fee of £2.50 per thousand words or part thereof, which is based on the presented draft, NOT the final copy. Students are reminded, therefore, of the requirement to delimit the focus of their study as detailed in the compilation document.

Theses and dissertations can be bound by:

• Key Point Book Binders
  Unit 8, Balmoral Drive
  Islington
  London
  N7 9NQ
  Tel: 0171 609 1050
  
• Bookbinding by Crawford
  52 Jane Street
  Edinburgh
  EH6 5HG
  Tel: 0131 553 2822
  Fax: 0131 530 0636
  
• NWU Library at a reduced cost.
  Suitable arrangements exist for Masters and Doctors degrees: all details from Central Office.
  Unbound copies ready for binding should be sent to:
  Annelize Liebenberg
  Research Focus Area: Theology
  Faculty of Theology
  North West University
  Private Bag X6001
  POTCHEFSTROOM 2520
  South Africa

Fees and Tuition
Details of fees, tuition payments and payment plans for all theology distance learning degrees at Greenwich School of Theology are available on a separate information sheet. The School attempts to keep the fees at a reasonable level but reserves the right to increase fees as is necessary without prior notice being given. Fees are payable directly to the Finance Officer and remittances should be made payable ONLY to Greenwich School of Theology.

Academic Dress
Details of the Academic Dress of North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) for the purpose of graduation ceremonies are available from the School Secretary.

The Greenwich School of Theology reserves the right to make changes in fees, course programmes, and all administrative structures described in this prospectus and elsewhere without prior notice being given. This prospectus does not form any part of any contract between the Greenwich School of Theology and any student.