Diploma
Diploma in Theological Studies (DipTS)OVERVIEW
The Diploma in Theological Studies is designed primarily to help lay Christians, who desire foundational but also high-quality theological education for either their own development or in preparation for serving as lay leaders in the Church. It can also be taken by those who desire to be involved in Christian ministries but are yet unprepared to seek ordination. The credits gained may be transferred to TTC’s basic theological degrees, such as the MTS, the BD or the MDiv.
Diploma students are regarded as full members of the college. They are therefore welcomed and also expected to participate in the life and activities of the community at Trinity.
Applicants must be Singapore citizens or residing in Singapore.
Students may also enrol for the Diploma in Theological Studies as a joint programme between Trinity Theological College (TTC) and the Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST). The essence of this programme is flexibility and accessibility. Students can register for courses offered by either of the institutions. Courses at TTC are offered mainly during the day, courses at BGST in the evening and in private study format. The credits gained from the DipTS (joint programme) may be transferred to TTC’s basic theological degrees, such as the MTS, the BD or the MDiv, subject to a course-evaluation process by the Registrar’s Office. Students of the joint programme, while studying at TTC, are accountable to the college for their participation in the life and activities of the TTC community.
PROGRAMME DURATION
The programme is designed to be completed in 18 months, when a full load is taken.
However, students have up to five years to complete it.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate, a student must:
1) Complete all core courses and community requirements;
2) Fulfil at least 37 credit hours;
3) Obtain an average GPA score of at least 2.0.
For students of the joint-programme, there will be no separate joint-DipTS graduation ceremony: students will graduate either at the TTC Graduation or at the BGST Convocation. Students will graduate from the institution where they originally registered or the institution to which their registration has been transferred in the course of their studies. The joint-programme DipTS certificate will be jointly issued by BGST and TTC, and will carry the logos of both schools.
I signed up to study at TTC to equip myself with a deeper knowledge of the bible. However I received more than what I signed up for – getting to listen to lecturers’ personal experience, project work with classmates who are fervent for Christ, friendship with Family Group and mentors, learning to live out our faith as a student and to trust God in our exams and essays. It has been amazing to learn from the lecturers who are not only subject experts, but are also compassionate and pastoral at heart.
The course at TTC certainly did a refining in my perspectives of Christianity. My views of God have certainly deepened greatly during my time at TTC. My time at TTC has allowed me to get to know students from different denominations and to understand the various denominations’ impact on Christianity. Lastly, the lecturers are very knowledgeable in their respective fields and very friendly and approachable.
The programme allowed me to balance professional, family and church commitments while engaging in academic work, writing essays, interactions with fellow servants of the gospel.