PostGraduate Programmes (Part-Time)

Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM) has reorganised all our advanced ministerial programmes under the Postgraduate Office. Beginning January 2024, the Centre of Postgraduate Studies will be in Seremban and is fully virtual.

Under the Postgraduate Office, we offer the following postgraduate programmes in English and Chinese.

1. Master of Ministry (MMin) – Chinese language only
2. Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
3. Master of Theology (MTh)
4. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For further details on the programmes, please contact postgrad@stm2.edu.my

The overall summary of the programmes offered and their requirements can be seen in the following table. However, for details of the individual programmes, please refer to the respective sections below.

1. Master of Ministry Programme (Chinese Language only)

The Master of Ministry programme is designed to encourage pastors and ministry workers to upgrade their skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of ministries today.

 1.1     Programme Requirements:

Complete a total of 42 credit hours comprising:

• • • 3 core modules of 4 credit hours each
    • 7 electives of 4 credit hours each
    • 1 guided study of 2 credit hours
    • An optional thesis of 10,000 words in English may be taken in place of 2 electives (8 credit hours) together with a 2-credit hour guided study on thesis methodology.

1.2     Admission Requirements

1. 1. 1. A basic theological degree such as Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Divinity or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
      2. Applicants should normally have at least two years of ministerial experience.

1.3     Duration of Study:

Eight years of part-time studies or two years of full-time studies. Extension may be allowed subject to the payment of extension fees.

2. Doctor of Ministry Programme

The Doctor of Ministry programme is an advanced professional course of study introduced in 2008. It provides those in Christian ministry, including pastors, missionaries, and church leaders, with an avenue to continue learning and equipping themselves. It seeks to enable programme participants to stay at the cutting edge of ministry and mission in changing and challenging times, by enhancing their ministerial competency, effectiveness, and fruitfulness.

2.1     Programme Philosophy

1. 1. 1. The programme seeks to integrate biblical and theological reflection, character and spiritual formation, and ministerial skills.
      2. Apart from lectures and personal research, the programme encourages on-going group interactions, accountability, and support among the participants.

2.2     Admission Requirements

1. 1. 1. Requirement for Ministerial Experience: Applicants should ideally have at least five years of active Christian ministry, such as involvement in pastoral ministry, missions, parachurch organisations, church leadership, or theological education.
      2. English Language Proficiency: English Track applicants are required to have TOEFL iBT score of at least 80 or IELTS score of at least 6.5. This requirement may be waived if applicants have completed prior degrees in English.
      3. Academic Requirement: Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity or its equivalent. Those with Master of Ministry or its equivalent are required to do additional academic loading while those with Master of Theology or its equivalent may be given exemptions.

1. 1. 4. Entrance GPA requirement: A GPA of 3.0 and above (on a 4.0 scale) is required. This is equivalent to a grade of C+ based on STM academic standard.
      5. Graduation Requirement: Candidates must achieve a minimum GPA: 3.2 or an average of B- for graduation.

2.3     Duration of Study

The programme is only offered on a part-time basis.

*Subject to payment of annual extension fees

3. Master of Theology Programme

The Master of Theology (MTh) degree is an advanced postgraduate research programme specially designed to provide specialised training in effective leadership in Christian ministry, professional pastoral training, and advanced theological research and teaching. It is designed in response to the urgent need for competent theological educators and advanced theological education in the region, and in keeping with the highest tradition of and excellence in Christian scholarship. It allows the students to gain greater competency and skills in an area of specialisation by employing the most valuable and latest research methods and resources available for the areas of concentration. Since the MTh is a rigorous and research-oriented programme, it also serves as a good preparatory degree for further advanced research degrees such as the PhD. The MTh can be taken either on a full-time or part-time basis.

3.1     Programme Requirements

Students participating in the MTh programme must complete a total of 6 modules of 4 credit hours each with a CGPA of 3.4 (or an average B) or higher (comprising 4 modules in an area of concentration, a core module, and an elective) and a thesis of 12 credit hours in the area of concentration. The total credit hours for the MTh programme are 36 credit hours tabulated as follows:

3.2     Admission Requirements

1. 1. 1. Applicants must hold a strong first theological degree (usually Master of Divinity or Bachelor of Divinity) or its equivalent from a recognised institution with a CGPA of 3.2 and above (or an average of B- and above based on STM’s academic standard).
      2. Applicants may be required to sit for an entrance examination.
      3. Applications specialising in Old Testament or New Testament must demonstrate competency in Hebrew or Greek respectively based on transcript evaluation and/or entrance examination.
      4. Applicants where prerequisites for the MTh programme are lacking based on transcript evaluation may be required to undertake the Pre-MTh programme in the relevant areas of concentration or additional loading in the MTh programme. Please see the section on Pre-Master of Theology Programme below.
      5. Applicants for English Language track must demonstrate English language competency as evidenced by: TOEFL iBT score of 80 and above; IELTS score of 6.5 and above, or its equivalent.
      6. Applicants for Chinese Language track must demonstrate English language competency as evidenced by: TOEFL iBT score of 60 and above; IELTS score of 5.0 and above, or its equivalent.

3.3     Duration of the Programme

1. 1. 1. Period of completion of study: A maximum of two years is allowed for full-time students and a maximum of four years is allowed for part-time students for completion of the MTh degree programme. This period of completion of study does not include work on prerequisites, additional loading, or any pre-MTh requirements.
      2. Full-time students may apply for a maximum of two years extension of their programme while part-time students may apply for a maximum of four years. The approval for the application for extension is subject to the satisfactory progress made in the programme of studies.
      3. Annual extension fees apply for any application for extension. Please enquire with the postgraduate office on details of the tariff.

4. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme

1. 1. In response to the urgent need for faculty development for our theological institutions and the development for pastor-theologians in the church, this new PhD programme is designed to train competent Asian scholars, researchers, and theological educators in original research, critical thinking, contextual understanding, and specialisation of a specific area of theological discipline or interdisciplinary areas of the wider body of knowledge.

1. 1. 4.1     Goal of the Programme   

1. 1. 1. The goal of the programme is to equip candidates with skills and competence to engage in original research and writing, master the use of digital humanities, and develop skills in acquire advanced knowledge of a specific area of theological discipline and other cognate disciplines. This programme also aims to promote scholarship for the benefit of the ministry of the church, theological schools, and the society.

1. 1. 1. The PhD programme is guided by the following qualities:
         1. Academic Excellence. STM aims to offer quality supervision for the professional and academic development of lecturers and researchers for theology faculties and of leaders for Christian ministry in the church and society.
         2. Rooted in Asia. STM encourages the construction of contextual and Asia-oriented theology by engaging in the significance of the Christian faith in dialogue with other living faiths, cultures, and traditions of Asia and contemporary challenges that are uniquely Asian in nature.
         3. Community and Diversity. STM provides opportunities for the collaboration between the candidates and faculty members among the different schools accredited by ATESEA.

1. 1. 4.2     Admission Requirements 

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicants must hold a Master of Theology degree or its equivalent from a recognised institution with a CGPA of 3.2 and above (or an average of B- and above based on STM’s academic standard). However, candidates with a very strong Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent with a GPA of 3.7 may be considered for admission.

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicants may be required to sit for an entrance examination. In addition, applicants specialising in Old Testament or New Testament must demonstrate competency in Hebrew or Greek respectively based on transcript evaluation and/or entrance examination.

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicants where prerequisites for the PhD programme are lacking based on transcript evaluation may be required to undertake courses in the relevant areas of concentration or begin their programme at the Master of Theology level. Please refer to the Master of Theology programme in the Postgraduate Handbook.

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicants for English Language track must demonstrate English language competency as evidenced by: TOEFL iBT score of 80 and above; IELTS score of 6.5 and above, or its equivalent.Applicants for Chinese Language track must demonstrate English language competency as evidenced by: TOEFL iBT score of 60 and above; IELTS score of 5.0 and above, or its equivalent.

1. 1. 4.3     Design of the PhD Programme

1. 1. 1. 1. The PhD programme is entirely by research, and candidates are expected to submit a thesis of 80,000-100,000 words in English or 120,000-150,000 words in Chinese (footnotes and bibliography excluded), demonstrating a significant contribution to the body of knowledge. Candidates are expected to carry out independent research in close consultation with their supervisors. The candidates will be required to defend the thesis in a viva-voce before the presence of at least two examiners (at least one internal and one external examiners.

Application Procedures for All Programmes

1. Please ensure that the following are sent together with your application form:
   1. One recent passport-size photograph. Digital copy accepted.
   2. A copy of the National Identity Card or passport.
   3. One copy of the official transcript of grades in applicant’s previous degrees (i.e. college, university and/or theological degrees).
   4. One copy of Certificate of English language competency (TOEFL/IELTS), if applicable.
   5. An up-to-date medical report, including chest X-ray report (applicable only for full-time studies).
   6. For DMin and MTh only: A study proposal for the intended research of approximately 2,000 words in English (or 3,000 words in Chinese).
   7. For PhD only: 2500-3000 words in English (or 4,000-4,500 words in Chinese).
   8. Application fee: Please enquire with the Postgraduate Office at the time of application.
   9. Any other documents that may be required by the Director of Postgraduate Studies or Postgraduate Committee.
   10. You may download the full application pack at https://bit.ly/pg-admission

2. Letters of Recommendation
   Two Letters of Recommendation are required. The recommendations should be provided by someone who knows you well and is able to provide all the required information.

1. 1. The first recommendation letter shall be from the Principal or a faculty member of the seminary/theological college in which the applicant graduated. It should provide information on the applicant’s academic standard, achievement, and ability to pursue the MTh/DMin/PhD programme. For STM alumni, this requirement is waived.
   2. The second recommendation letter shall be from a senior official (Bishop, Moderator, President, Senior Pastor, etc) of the applicant’s denomination or church. It should provide information on the applicant’s personality, character, strength, etc.
   3. Please request your referees to fill in this form via https://bit.ly/pg-recommendation

3. Application Deadline

Students may begin their postgraduate studies anytime. However, it is advisable that application be submitted at least 3 months before the intended date of matriculation. We strongly advise international students to begin their study at the beginning of our academic year which falls on the first week of January. For application from the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life (OCRPL), please refer to Postgraduate Office.

4. Withdrawal from the Programmes
   1. All postgraduate students may withdraw from the programmes by officially writing in to the Postgraduate Office.
   2. In the event that the duration of the programme expires, the candidates are considered withdrawn from the programme unless an extension is officially applied for and approved by the Postgraduate Committee.
   3. All candidates who are recommended by the sponsoring denominations or churches for postgraduate studies will have their candidature withdrawn in the event that the sponsoring denominations or churches revoke the recommendation and/or sponsorship of the candidates.

For Further Information:
For further details on the programmes, please click here to download our handbook.