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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7373  Master of Theology 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  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  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Theology. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.
  • To equip students with relevant theological knowledge and an understanding of the content of the Christian faith, church doctrine, church history and the interpretation of the Bible as related to the different fields of ministry
  • The ability to deal with the complexity of a theological hermeneutics in order to find workable solutions to problems and challenges as related to theology
  • To enable students to do advanced and independent research through training in research methods and methodology in order to expose them to peer group evaluation, the world of scholarly, scientific communication and evaluation inter alia by assisting them in publishing their findings
  • To prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics
  • To add to the pool of academics and professional by promoting competence and critical intellectual abilities
  • To ensure the significance/relevancy and advancement of theology and ministry and to make provision for the needs of society as a whole for skilled theologians and community leaders 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university adminssion qualification
  • First degree: BTh (4 year)


    Other qualification(s) : Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (with average of 65%); PD Theology 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES
  • An understanding of research methods and methodology and the ability to apply theory to different problems as related to Christian theology.
  • The integration of theory and praxis
  • Analytical reflection, critical analysis and logic reasoning
  • The ability to express advanced reflection and research related to a chosen field of study in a thesis of high scientific standard


    2. GENERAL OUTCOMES
  • Comprehensive knowledge of theology and its link to ministry and to various community and life issues.
  • Mastery of advanced theory in theology and its application to a specialised field
  • Familiarity with relevant literature and state of research on a subject in a particular field
  • An understanding of the hermeneutical value of theology
  • Well-developed research skills


    3. SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

    The Masters graduate will be able to:
  • Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of methods including empirical research
  • Critically evaluate relevant literature in the discipline of theology and reflected in its six different divisions: Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Systematic Theology and Ethics, Ecclesiology and Church History, Missiology and Practical Theology
  • Apply theory to the practice of ministry
  • Assess church doctrine and polity and review previous theological data in the light of new circumstances and contexts
  • Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialised field in theology
  • The capacity for independent study via the completion of a thesis, research project, assignment or examination 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • The assessment of the MTh ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved
  • A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as written and oral examinationa are used
  • Competence in outcome will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems
  • To demonstrate competence in outcomes and basic skills in methodology and research, the student must be able to write logical and coherent assignments, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer examination questions

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

    An interdisciplinary approach will be followed in order to enhance the skills of students and to enable them to reflect analytically and critically from different perspectives,. Research projects should reflect the ability of students to integrate theory with practice and to link research in theology not only to other sciences, but also to different scientific methods of research. For example: the interaction between empirical research and theological reflection

    The assessment of specific outcomes will be reflected in the design of different research projects, examinations or a written thesis 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s) DTh
  • This qualification provides credits for the related qualification(s) MDiv 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the university 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Theology in Ecclesiology
  • Master of Theology in Missiology
  • Master of Theology in New Testament
  • Master of Theology in Old Testament
  • Master of Theology in Old Testament and New Testament
  • Master of Theology in Practical Theology
  • Master of Theology in Systematic Theology
  • Master of Theology in Ecclesiology
  • Master of Theology in Missiology
  • Master of Theology in Practical Theology
  • Master of Theology in Systematic Theology 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.