Advanced Degree

OVERVIEW

The Doctor of Theology (DTh) is the highest academic degree offered at Trinity. It provides rigorous training in independent research and prepares the student to teach and offer courses at the tertiary level. The emphasis will be on guiding the student to make a contribution to a particular field through critical enquiry, thorough research, accurate documentation, and sustained argumentation. The Master of Letters (MLitt) is also a research degree but entails less rigorous requirements. What is required of the MLitt is the ability to evaluate critically any current issue or debate. The DTh and the MLitt degrees are awarded for research dissertations and not for course work or examinations.

The need for Christian scholars and leaders to be able to enquire critically and do thorough research to unearth causes of current problems, and construct proposals for their resolution or for the furtherance of the life and ministry of the church cannot be over-emphasised. TTC therefore stresses the need for research to be done in the context of the Christian community, especially that which is in Asia.

The areas of concentration offer are biblical studies (both the Old Testament and the New Testament) and systematic theology, church history and pastoral theology. These areas of concentration are offered on the basis of the availability of faculty. TTC reserves the right not to offer any of these areas of concentration at any time.

The MLitt degree should be completed in two years and the DTh degree in three years. After the third year of the student’s doctoral studies, only the continuing fee, in place of the tuition fee, is payable. For the MLitt degree, the continuing fee is payable after the second year. The areas in which supervision is normally provided are biblical studies (both the Old Testament and the New Testament) and systematic theology.

 

PROGRAMME DURATION

The DTh programme is designed to be completed in three years. However, students have up to six years to complete it. After the third year of the student’s doctoral studies, a continuing tuition fee, in place of the full tuition fee, is payable.

The MLitt programme is designed to be completed in two years. However, students have up to three years to complete it. After the second year of the student’s studies, a continuing tuition fee, in place of the full tuition fee, is payable.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The DTh degree is awarded for a dissertation not exceeding 90,000 words (not including bibliography). The dissertation must be an original contribution to the state of scholarship of the chosen topic of study. All the requirements must be completed within six years.

The MLitt degree is awarded for a dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words (not including bibliography). The dissertation must demonstrate an ability to evaluate critically the current state of scholarship of the chosen topic of study. All the requirements must be completed within three years.