Part IV · No. 12
The degree certifies academic competence. Any office, mandate or ordination is a separate act.
Theology·Level 7 · Second Cycle·Ecclesiastical degree · no suffix
M.Th.
Master of Theology
Advanced specialisation and independent research in one area of theology.
| CHEQF Level | 7 |
| Qualification type | Second cycle, ecclesiastical-academic research |
| Admission requirements | B.Th. or a relevant Level 6 degree with sufficient prior theological preparation. |
| Normative volume | 120 EAC recommended; a minimum of 90 EAC where equivalent prior preparation is demonstrated. |
Content · Outcomes
Content is what is taught. Outcomes are what is verified.
01 Required content areas
What the programme must contain
- advanced theological specialization
- primary-source research
- theological methodology
- research languages as required
- interdisciplinary/contextual theology
- research seminars
02 Graduate learning outcomes
What the graduate must demonstrate
- demonstrates deep knowledge of the chosen theological specialisation
- engages critically with primary and scholarly sources
- formulates an independent theological research question
- applies appropriate methodology and substantiates conclusions
- presents research effectively to specialists and Church audiences.
Final · Progression
Final capstone work and dissertations may not be transferred from elsewhere.
03 Final assessment
How the programme closes
A mandatory master's thesis of 25–30 EAC with oral defence before at least two examiners.
04 Academic progression
Where it leads
Access to D.Th. and, depending on the research topic, PhD.C.
Reached from
B.Th.Bachelor of TheologyStatus
Black is what the degree certifies. This is what it does not.
05 Status and professional limitation
No CHEQF academic degree, by itself, confers a right to ordination, ministry in a particular jurisdiction, or appointment to ecclesiastical office. Such decisions are made by the competent Church authority.
“This is an ecclesiastical academic qualification awarded within the Church system of higher education. It is not represented as a state-awarded or state-accredited academic degree unless such recognition has been separately granted by the competent authority of the relevant jurisdiction.”
Recommended status statement on every diploma, Article 17