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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110817  Diploma in Theology 
ORIGINATOR
Auckland Park Theological Seminary NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-08  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
88724  Diploma: Theology  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this Diploma in Theology is to provide a knowledge base that can be applied practically in the general theological principles, within the six theological disciplines (Church History, Dogmatics and Ethics, Missiology, New Testament, Old Testament and the various Practical Theology's sub-disciplines.

The institution has in its planning, allocated adequate resources to the implementing and upkeep of this qualification. These resources consist of qualified academic staff that is experts in their specific fields, qualified support staff, library resources, and Information technology (IT) resources as reflected in the Africa Transport Solutions (ATS) budget.

This qualification will provide a biblical based theological education within the Pentecostal/Charismatic sector of the Church, in order to equip Christians for effective ministry, and establish responsible, ethical driven research related to the Pentecostal/Charismatic sector of the Church.

Rationale:
The qualification was developed due to a need that was established through research into the educational needs of active Christian ministers. Research was done by means of various research projects, discussions with church leaders and other sector stakeholders. It is stated that, within the Pentecostal/Charismatic sector of the Church-world, at least three hundred churches are established daily within the Southern African region, which are led by ministers of whom the majority have no educational grounding in theology. The effect in many instances is churches that are managed on questionable principles and unacceptable practices. The qualification will provide a biblical based theological education within the Pentecostal/Charismatic sector of the church to equip Christians for effective, responsible, and ethical ministry.

There is a need for quality trained church planters, pastors, pastoral counsellors, evangelists, hospital chaplains, cell leaders, youth workers, workers in children ministries, missionaries and workers in church-based community programmes.

The institution embarked on a market research within the broader Pentecostal/Charismatic church world in South Africa. The research revealed a great need for training pastors within this sector. It is seen as one of the fastest expanding sectors within the church world in Southern Africa. Most churches are run by self-appointed pastors with no theological training. This results in questionable practices in many instances. It became evident that the need exists for more practical orientated training of pastors. This need is further underscored by the fact that many pastors who do have a senior certificate, do not have a Bachelor's Degree endorsement, and are therefore excluded from the Bachelor of Arts in Theology offered at the institution based on the minimum entry requirements.

Further, discussions took place between the institution and various stakeholders to determine the need related to theological qualified pastors. Stakeholders shared their opinions about what areas this qualification should address. These were off set against research and discussion with academic peers into the present trends within theological training of pastors. This qualification was developed based on the outcomes of this pre-curriculum development research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is done according to the Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements and have partially completed an equal qualification may apply for RPL for awarded credits by the previous institution. A full learner transcript form the previous institution is required to confirm credits awarded. RPL is done in accordance with the existing Higher Education legislation pertaining to RPL at the time of application. RPL is subjected to the approval by the institution depending on the nature of the RPL application.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 6 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 360 Credits:
  • Church History, 48 Credits.
  • Dogmatics and Ethics, 58 Credits.
  • Missiology, 48 Credits.
  • New Testament, 58 Credits.
  • Old Testament,58 Credits.
  • Practical Theology, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories to practices within an occupation in either the Church, para-church organisations or community based organisations.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of different forms of knowledge, schools of thought and forms of explanation related to the various theological disciplines within the curriculum, which will enhance their knowledge producing ability.
    3. Demonstrate the ability and skills to evaluate select and apply various theological methods and procedures in the ministry context.
    4. Identify, evaluate and solve problems in previously unfamiliar ministry situations, through gathering evidence of the situation or occurrence and to apply solutions based on the accumulated evidence within a practical context.
    5. Ability to practically Ddemonstrate an practical understanding of the ethical implications of the decisions decisions and actions that they make, and the actions based on those decisions, within a ministry context which will demonstrate their skills in the complexity of ethical issues.
    6. Evaluate different sources of information as it presents itself in the various theological disciplines, but also within the broader context of community development, which will enable them to select information that is suitable to the task at hand, and to apply well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation based on that information.
    7. Develop, present and communicate complex information both reliably and coherently, using correct academic and occupational resolutions and presentations for any given situation within the ministry.
    8. Demonstrate the skills to make decisions and act appropriately in familiar and new ministry situations, whereby demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between various aspects, and understand that actions, ideas or developments within one area impact other areas or systems.
    9. Evaluate performance against specific criteria, and accurately identify and address his or her task-specific learning needs in a given context, and to support the learning needs of others.
    10. Work effectively in a team, and take responsibility for his or her decisions and actions and the decision and actions of others within teamwork in the ministry, and take responsibility to effectively and ethically use the available resources that presents itself within the area of ministry that the student will be involved in. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessments are done in accordance with the assessment policies. Both formative and summative assessments are employed in the qualification. Formative assessments in the form of written assignments and tests are continually conducted in each module of the qualification. The purpose of the Formative Assessments is to enhance the learning of the learner and serves as an indicator to both the learner at the lecturer of the learner's strengths and weaknesses. Summative Assessment in the form of written examination papers are written at the end of each semester. The Summative Assessments serve as an indicator to both the learner and the lecturer of the students' competencies in relation to the outcomes of the various modules, and the programme specifically.

    Assessments are aligned with the qualification and the specific module, it must be fair and must measure the competencies of the learner aligned with the outcomes. This requires that all assessments be evaluated for accuracy and whether they comply too the institution and Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) regulations pertaining to assessments, and whether the assessment questions or instructions are reliable, fair and understandable for all students. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared with the following international qualifications:
    The University of Oxford (UO) and the Australian College of Theology are registered institutions in their respective countries, and their diplomas are also registered with the specific higher education registration bodies. A direct comparison between the two institutions, UO and Auckland Park Theological Seminary (ATS), do not indicate their modules according to credits. UO indicate by means of required modules and ACT according to credits.

    As the basis of comparison, the subjects of ATS was listed first, and then the subjects of the other two institutions were brought in line to match that of Auckland Park Theological Seminary.

    The duration for this qualification 3 years, the duration in the University of Oxford is 2 years and at Australian College of Theology 18 months.

    All three institutions have a practical component incorporated in their Diplomas. The extend of this is however not clearly stipulated. Taking the credits into consideration, it would appear that the practical underpinning for ATS is of a higher standard.

    Both Diplomas in South African and Australian College of Theology are loose standing qualifications. The UO diploma is an extraction from the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) syllabus (8 modules from the BTh syllabus). As far as the outcomes/content of the subjects are concerned, it appears that there are correlations between all three. The outcomes/content of ATS is more comprehensive.

    On average, it would appear that the standard of the Diploma of Theology offered by ATS is of an equal to higher standard than those offered by the University of Oxford and the Australian College of Theology. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Public Relations, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Language Practice, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Auckland Park Theological Seminary NPC 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.