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NEGST

Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology

Master of Theology and Master of Philosophy Programmes

Due to the nature of the Master of Theology and Master of Philosophy programmes requiring individualisation, at the beginning of the programme the student must work with his/her major Advisor to draw up a list of courses anticipated for the entire programme, including pre-M.Th./MPhil. courses, where applicable. The student, the Advisor and the HOD, must endorse this list. Copies of the list must be filed by the student at both the offices of the Registrar and the DVCAA no later than the fifth week of the first term in which the student is enrolled.This approved list must be adhered to in the course of the programme. In the case of a change in the programme, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the copies in the Registrar’s and DVCAA’s offices are updated accordingly.

Comprehensive Exam

Every candidate must sit for and pass a final comprehensive exam normally taken at the end of the period or residency or at a time determined by the Department and as scheduled by the Registrar. Grading shall be on a Pass/Fail basis (see Graduation (5) page 49).

Master of Theology (Biblical Studies)

Purpose

The Master of Theology programme is designed to promote excellence in African Christianity by providing students who have earned the M.Div or an equivalent post-graduate theological degree with a research-based degree specializing in the field of biblical studies. The programme offers concentrations in Old or New Testament, which prepare the student for teaching or for doctoral work. Candidates coming in with the M.A. are required to do specified hours of pre-M.Th. work.

Educational Objectives

At the end of the course of study in the M.Th. (Biblical Studies) a student should be able to:

achieve a higher level of competence in the use of biblical languages for exegesis
demonstrate a superior level of competence in Old Testament and New Testament studies
acquire solid biblical and theological underpinnings for teaching in the African context
develop sharper research and analytical skills for further studies
demonstrate Christian maturity expressed in commitment to Christ, to His Body and interpersonal sensitivity in character and lifestyle displayed in communal relationships.

Programme Design

The Old and New Testament concentrations offer students additional 16 months beyond the M.Div. of advanced research and course work in the area of concentration. Prerequisites include a firm grasp of biblical content, languages and theology, for these are integral to the courses and the research to be undertaken. The programme is designed to enable students achieve competency in the following five areas: historical, linguistic and exegetical (including biblical languages), cultural world (biblical and African); theological, and critical studies.

Entry Requirements

(In addition to the regular requirements)

A B+ (3.30 on a 4-point scale) average in the area of specialization
At least 12-quarter hours of graduate level course work, in the biblical language of the area of concentration. These hours do not include credit hours for first year biblical languages
At least 8-quarter hours of graduate level course work in the second biblical language, beyond first year Greek/Hebrew
12-quarter hours of English Bible on the graduate level
12-quarter hours of theology on the graduate level
Successful completion of a language entrance exam in the area of concentration
Submission of a Hebrew/Greek exegetical paper of 1,500 to 3,000 words in length
Submission of a thesis proposal, indicating the student’s proposed area of research and thesis writing
Course in research methods

Programme Structure

The number of required hours in both OT and NT studies is 48 hours. These hours will normally comprise thirty-six hours of course work and twelve hours of thesis work, divided up as follows:

Core	24 hours
Electives	12 hours
Thesis	12 hours
Total:	48 hours

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be allowed to do up to 24 hours of thesis work. In such cases, the additional thesis hours will replace the electives requirement. A request for additional thesis hours, addressed to the Head of Department, must be made in writing, and permission must be granted by the department. This approved adjustment must be filed with both the offices of the Registrar and DVCAA.
Prior to the beginning of each academic year, the department will specify the courses that are on offer as core courses for each concentration.
The programme structure allows for a student in one concentration to take a few courses in the other area of concentration, where those courses are deemed to be relevant to the student’s thesis. The approval of the student’s supervisor must be obtained for such courses.
Students who have not previously taken a course in research methods will be required to take a 2-hour theological research methods course. This course is a non-credit course, and should lead to the development and submission of a firm thesis proposal. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Each student is expected to demonstrate competency in the use of electronic research tools and applications pertinent to biblical studies. Students not having this competency will be required to take part in programmes organized by the department for this purposes.
A Student may take a few 700 level courses, with the consent of the student’s supervisor. Such courses must be reflected in the list of courses anticipated for the student’s programme.
Every student is required to write a Comprehensive examination. The department provides guidelines for the exams.

Programme Content

Old Testament Specialization

BS 805-808	Old Testament Studies	12 hours
BS 820-823	Topics in Biblical Studies	12 hours
Electives (See list of courses on offer below)		12 hours
BS 881-3 THESIS (may be continued)		12 hours
	*Programme Total*	*48 hours*

New Testament Specialization

BS 800-803	New Testament Studies	12 hours
BS 820-823	Topics in Biblical Studies	12 hours
Electives (See list of courses on offer below)		12 hours
BS 881-3	THESIS (may be continued)	12 hours
	*Programme Total*	*48 hours*

Courses That May Be Offered

Old Testament

BL 700	Septuagint
BL 730	Hebrew Reading
BL 820	Biblical Aramaic
BL 841	Advanced Hebrew Grammar
BL 830	Hebrew Teaching Practicum
BS 700	Exegesis of Selected OT Books
BS 702	Advanced Hermeneutics
BS 734	O. T. Textual Criticism
BS 750	Social Science Approaches to Biblical Studies
BS 811	Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
BS 812	History of Israel
BS 820	Topics in Biblical Studies
BS 830	Readings in Old Testament Theology
BS 833	Current Issues in Old Testament Studies
BS 841-5	Advanced Exegesis of the Old Testament
BS 850	Intertestamental Period
BS 851	Extra Biblical ANE literature
BS 860	African Worldview from a Biblical Perspective
BS 870	Historical Geography/Holy Land Studies
BS 881-3	Theses (may be continued)

New Testament

BL 700	Septuagint
BL 701	Advanced Greek
BL 720	Greek Reading
BL 820	Biblical Aramaic
BL 850	Readings in Greek in the Early Church Fathers
BS 701	Exegesis of selected NT books
BS 702	Advanced Hermeneutics
BS 730	Textual Criticism of the New Testament
BS 740 – 745	Advanced Studies in Biblical and Ancient Near eastern Languages.
BS 750	Social Science Approaches to Biblical Studies
BS 808	History of the New Testament era
BS 811	Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
BS 814	New Testament Criticism
BS 820	Topics in biblical Studies
BS 830	Readings in Old Testament Theology
BS 840	Readings in New Testament Theology
BS 846-9	Advanced Exegesis of the New Testament
BS 850	Intertestamental Period
BS 860	African Worldview from a Biblical Perspective
BS 870	Historical Geography/Holy Land Studies
BS 873	Ethics of Jesus
BS 881-3	Thesis (may be continued)

Master of Theology (History of Global Christianity)

Purpose

The M.Th. in the History of Global Christianity seeks to advance NEGST’s stated purpose of promoting excellence in African Christianity. No claim for excellence can be taken seriously if it is not measured by the achievements of the past. Christ is our standard for excellence. His work in the church of the past becomes one way to measure the achievement of the church in the present. Christian history is laden with excellencies and treasures that must not be forgotten or neglected by the contemporary African church. One of those treasures is a strong sense of African Christianity’s identity in the new global Christianity that has made the faith a truly non-western religion. Through a specialized research-based course of study in a given area of global Christianity, individuals will be equipped to use the resources of the past to assist the African church in the present. Candidates of the MTh in the History of Global Christianity will be equipped both to teach church history on advanced levels as well as be prepared for doctoral studies.

Educational Objectives

At the end of the course of study in the M.Th. in the History of Global Christianity, a student should be able to:

demonstrate advanced skills in the research and writing of the history of Christianity in the non-Western world
demonstrate an understanding of the growth, maturation, and history of Christianity in Asia
demonstrate an understanding of the historical relationship between Christianity and Islam
demonstrate an understanding of the history of the global Pentecostal movement
demonstrate an understanding of the transition from mission to church in which a distinctively African Christianity emerged from within the traditional mission churches

vi. demonstrate an understanding of the history of Christianity in its global context through a comparison of the sixteenth and seventeenth century movements of reformation in seven different civilizations
vii. demonstrate an ability to analyse and evaluate two thousand years of African Christian theology
viii. demonstrate Christian maturity expressed in commitment to Christ, to His body and interpersonal sensitivity in character and lifestyle displayed in communal relationships.

Entrance Requirements

(In addition to the regular requirements)

Due to the nature of Church history as an integrative discipline students may be admitted having completed a recognized M.A. or M.Div. in missions, history or systematic theology. In every case a minimum of 18 hours of previous study in history is required. A student lacking this minimum may be admitted to the M.Th. in History of Global Christianity on the condition that the deficiency is removed before the commencement of the programme.
M.A. students need to take 47 hours of pre-M.Th. studies (comparable to one year of full time study)
Applicants must have a 3.3 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
Ability to do research as evidenced in written work done during Master’s level study and by a written research proposal in the area of specialization submitted to the Department prior to enrolment

Content of Programme

Specialisations: The general areas of specialized study are as follows:
History of African Christianity
The growth and development of non-western Christianity
Historical theology with an emphasis on comparative studies between western and non-western theological topics
Course work: 24 hours of reading, research and seminars:

HS 801 Advanced Historiography
HS 802 From Mission to Church: Case histories in the Africanisation of Christianity
HS 803 The Reformation in Global Perspective
HS 805 History of African Christian Theology
HS 806 History of the Relations between Christianity and Islam
HS 807 History of Asian Christianity
HS 808 Advanced Independent study

HS 881-882, 883, 884-888 Thesis: 24 hours of credit for a research thesis of approximately 45,000 words (180 pages including footnotes and bibliography).
Field Ministries (3 hours) for students who have not done Field Ministries in the previous M.A. or M.Div. level study.

Master of Philosophy (Christian Education)

Purpose

The programme is a specialized research-based course of study in a specified area of educational interest beyond the M.A. (CE) or M.Div. (CE), in which candidates are prepared to pursue doctoral studies.

Educational Objectives

At the end of the course of study in the M.Phil. (C.E.) a student should be able to:

demonstrate initiative for leadership in church education
demonstrate higher level skills for teaching in Christian higher education
demonstrate skills in the administration of educational programmes
demonstrate further skills in primary research
demonstrate growth in discipleship and spiritual maturity
demonstrate capacity needed for the pursuit of advanced studies in Christian education

Entry Requirements

(In addition to the regular requirements)

Minimum of 34 hours in Christian Education at the M.A. or M.Div level (with at least 9 hours in the Educational Foundations of History, Philosophy, and Psychology; and at least 12 hours in the area of interest toward the MPhil) Candidates with M.A. degrees are required to do 47 hours of pre-M.Phil. work
Candidates are required to have at least 12 hours of Bible and 12 hours of Theology at the post-graduate level. In the event of a candidate deficient in either Bible, theology or education as prescribed, admission may be granted on the condition that the deficiency is removed before the commencement of the programme. However, credits obtained from such make‑up will not count towards the M.Phil. (C.E.)
Ability to do research as evidenced in formal course work in Research Methods at post-graduate level and
A written research proposal in the area of specialization submitted to the Department

Areas of Specialisation

Students will select an aspect of any of the three areas of specialisation for in-depth study in the form of seminars and course work carefully focused on the African context in addition to the global context:

Church Education (ministry to specified age groups): A student may select from ED 801, ED 802, ED 803; and ED 820, ED 821, ED822, ED 823, ED 824; or ED 851, ED 852, ED 853.
Teaching in Christian higher education (Bible College, Christian liberal arts, university levels): A student may select from ED 820, ED 821, ED 822, ED 823, ED 824; and ED 701, ED 811, ED 812.
Administration of educational programmes (curriculum development and evaluation, school and college administration, church administration, leadership development, etc.): A student may select from ED 820, ED 821, ED 822, ED 823, ED 824; and ED 721, ED 813, ED 814, ED 831, ED 841.

Content of programme

24 hours of seminar/courses in area of specialization.
24 hours of research (thesis) of 45,000 ‑ 60,000 words (180‑240 pages including footnotes and bibliography).
3 hours of Field Ministries (for those without prior credits in Field Ministries)
A final comprehensive examination at the end of the course work.

a. Seminars/Courses (24 hours)
These provide opportunity to pursue individualised studies in areas of academic and vocational interests in the form of advanced seminars and independent research. A student may divide the course work evenly between independent studies and special topics or may select these in combination with specified electives (listed hereunder). A plan of courses will be done in consultation with the Advisor, taking into consideration the student’s vocational and career objectives

ED 801-803	Independent Studies in Christian Education	12 hrs
ED 820-822	Special topics in Educational Ministries	12 hrs
	Total	24 hrs

b. Electives (optional in combination with courses/seminars)

ED 701	Theory & Practice of Non-formal Education	3 hrs
ED 710	College Teaching	3 hrs
ED 721	Curriculum Development & Evaluation	3 hrs
ED 811	Seminar on Psychological Theories in Teaching Religion	4 hrs
ED 812	Seminar on Taxonomy of Educational Objectives in Religious Studies	4 hrs
ED 813	Seminar on Curriculum Theorising	4 hrs
ED 814	Seminar on Applied Curriculum Research	4 hrs
ED 831	Leadership & Management in Educational Settings	4 hrs
ED 841	Theological Education	4 hrs
ED 852	Seminar on Youth Development	4 hrs
ED 853	Seminar on Discipling Adults	4 hrs

c. OTHERS

ED 881, 882, 883, 884-888	Theses	24 hrs
	Programme Total	*48 hours*

M.Phil. (CE) Comprehensive Exams

This exam is designed to test the candidate’s ability to integrate the area of specialisation with his/her current or anticipated profession. This integration will be assessed from writing essays in the areas of specialisation.

Master of Theology (Missions Studies)

Purpose

The programme is designed to provide missiological training to enable Christian men and women address responsibly mission-related issues in post-colonial Africa, and challenges in global missions.

Educational Objectives

At the end of the course of study in the M.Th. (Miss) a student should be able to:

keep the probity of missiology through sound evangelical theology
employ the values of the Kingdom of God in missionary services by way of writing and teaching
set a Christ-like example of achievement and progress in his/her Christian ministry
coordinate the efforts of African and world-wide churches to fulfil the Great Commission
recognise and utilise human, material and spiritual resources locally and globally for the expansion of missionary work
accept and allow maximum participation of the people of God from every nation to do mission
plan to effect missionary methods and strategy from 21^st century Africa, and guide pastors and mission agencies to implement the task of evangelism and discipleship
give a missiological assessment to the multiple challenges of Christian life and ministry in Africa
train African Christians to respond and participate in global mission
inspire the people of God in word and deed to look forward to the consummation of history, and reign of the righteous and everlasting King—Jesus Christ

Entrance Requirements

(In addition to the regular requirements)

Minimum of 34 hours in Missions subjects at M.A. or M.Div. level and with at least 12 credit hours in the area of specialization. Candidates coming with the M.A. (Miss.) are required to do 47 hours pre-M.Th. work
At least 12 hours of Biblical Studies and 12 hours of Theology at the post-graduate level. In the event a candidate is deficient in Bible, Missions or Theology as prescribed, admission maybe granted on the condition that the deficiency is removed before the commencement of the programme. However, credits obtained from such make‑up shall not be applied towards the M.Th.
Ability to do research as evidenced in formal course work in "Research Methods" at graduate level and a written research proposal in the area of specialization submitted to the Department.

Areas of Specialisation

A student can focus on any aspect of the two areas of specialisation for in-depth study in the form of seminars and course work focused specifically on the African context and generally on the global context.

World views and Cultural Dynamics: A student can select from MS 801, MS 802, MS 803, MS 804, or MS 851, MS 852, MS 853 and must take MS 831, MS 832, MS 833, MS 834, MS 835, MS 836.
Mission and Evangelistic Strategies for Urban Areas including the urban poor and communities committed to non‑Christian religions: A student can select from MS 820, MS 821, MS 822, MS 823 or MS 851, MS 852, MS 853 and must take MS 832, MS 833, MS 834, MS 835, MS 836.

Content of Programme

Requirements:

Courses:

Required Course (See area of Specialisation)

MS 831	Discovering Worldview(s)	3 hrs
MS 832	Dynamics of Culture Change	3 hrs
MS 833	Pauline Theology of Missions	3 hrs
MS 834	Missions and the Kingdom of God in African Context	3 hrs
MS 835	African Traditional Religions Seminar	3 hrs
MS 836	Leadership in African Context	3 hrs

Seminars/Courses

MS 801-804	Independent Study in Missions	12 hrs
MS 820-823	Special Topics in Missions	12 hrs

Electives (See area of Specialisation)

MS 851	Power Encounter II	3 hrs
MS 852	Authority and Power from Biblical & Anthropological Perspective	3 hrs
MS 853	Nominality within and outside of the Church	3 hrs

Others

MS 881, 882, 883, 884-888	Thesis (may be continued)	24 hrs
	*Programme Total*	*48 hrs*

Comprehensive Exam

Master of Theology (Biblical Studies)

Purpose

Educational Objectives

Programme Design

Entry Requirements

Programme Structure

Programme Content

Old Testament Specialization

New Testament Specialization

Courses That May Be Offered

Old Testament

New Testament

Master of Theology (History of Global Christianity)

Purpose

Educational Objectives

Entrance Requirements

Content of Programme

Master of Philosophy (Christian Education)

Purpose

Educational Objectives

Entry Requirements

Areas of Specialisation

Content of programme

Total

M.Phil. (CE) Comprehensive Exams

Master of Theology (Missions Studies)

Purpose

Educational Objectives

Entrance Requirements

Areas of Specialisation

Content of Programme