Admission requirements include:
1.BD or its equivalent.
2.At least two or three years of practical experience in church work.
3.Application forms are available on request from the office of the Dean at STS.
4.Two copies of an official transcript of grades in their primary theological course.
5.Two recent passport-size photographs.
6.A letter of recommendation form the previous seminary where the candidate studied and from a senior officer of their denomination (Bishop, Moderator, etc.). These letters are to be sent directly to the Dean of the graduate program by the authorities concerned, not by the applicants.
7.Application fees: a fee of RM40.00 must accompany the application. The fee is not refundable.
8.TOFEL score: The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required. The score must be 173 (500 paper-based) and must not be more than one year old.
9.Some special entrance requirements are set for certain fields of study. Consult the “Program of Study” section below.
10.There after, the application shall be forwarded to the Area Dean and Dean of SEAGST for approval.

The Post-graduate Committee of STS shall administer the entrance exam on behalf of SEAGST.
1.Area and Mode of examination: Examination will be on the areas of 1. Biblical OT/NT, 2. Theology (including Asian Theology), 3. Pastoral Ministry, 4. Mission, 5. Church history (including Asian Church History). Applicants shall have the choice of examination on 4 areas including the area of concentration
and selected area in another field of the intended program of study. 3 hours of written exam will be on the Area of concentration, and another 3 hours of examination on two other disciplines.

2.One of the four areas (not the concentration area) will be in the form of a paper of 8-12 pages, typewritten, double space. The paper must demonstrate knowledge of the mechanics of paper writing: the use of proper footnotes, bibliography, etc, as well as the ability to research and organize material. The candidates shall be given a maximum of two weeks to write the paper. The papers must be submitted at the time the applicants sit for the written exam.

3.Applicants must pass the entire exam in one sitting. In case of failure in any area, the candidate has only one chance of repeating the area failed.

4.The entrance exam may be written in the English/BM or Chinese

Study program
1. The M.Theol. Study program consists of study in four areas of concentration, and individual research, resulting in thesis. (Each area of course work will be equivalent to 24 credit hours and the thesis is equivalent to 6 credit hours). Three areas of concentration are from the candidate’s field and one from another field chosen by the candidates.

2. Work in areas of concentration shall be by tutorials, lectures and seminars. Not more than one third of the work may involve participation in lecture courses at the undergraduate level (BD, M.Div) with the understanding that extra assignments will be given, and that the courses is not a repetition of any course previously taken.

3. The advisor will work out a detailed program of study with the student including a timetable. This program should be submitted to the Dean of STS and this will be submitted to the Area Dean of SEAGST not less than one month after the candidates have begun their work. The advisor will make periodic reports on the candidate’s progress to the Dean of STS who will forward to the Area Dean (SEAGST).

4. A full time student will be allowed a minimum of 15 months of 48 hours per week to complete the program. Course work shall be completed in one academic year, and the rest for individual research and writing, etc.

General examination
After completion of the course work, the candidates shall sit for a general examination to test the candidates’ ability to integrate what has been studied and to relate it to the Asia setting. The time of this exam is six hours (two periods of 3 hours each). Questions will be set by the advisor in consultation with others involved in the study program with the approval of the Area Dean.

Evaluation and Grades
Evaluation of all work will be done on the following basis:
A Excellent or honors 93% above
B Good or high pass 80-92%
F Fail: below 80

Three examiners will read the general examination: the advisor, one from the Area named by the Area Dean with the concurrence of the area committee (advisory committee) and one examiner will be named by the Dean of SEAGST. Examiners will send their evaluation directly to the Graduate School Dean, who will communicate the results to the Area Dean.

An average of grade B is required for work in the areas of concentration.
A grade B is required for general examinations, and thesis. Re-examination is allowed for general examinations if candidates do not meet the requirement.

Candidates may appeal to the Area Dean to have their work re-evaluated if they think that they do not fairly reflect the work done in

Individual research
Individual research involves gathering and analysis of data, drawing conclusions on the basis of the data, and where appropriate, presenting recommendations or proposals. The competency of the candidates is shown both in the research and the presentations of results of the research in written form.

Research results will be presented in the form a thesis of at least 70 pages of text on a single subject,
a) demonstrating mastery of a single subject
b) Presenting the results of original research in written form.

Thesis shall be typed on good quality paper 8 ½ x 11 inches. The form should conform to STS’s Manual for Thesis Writing.

The Thesis may be written in English, Malay or Chinese.

The thesis shall contain a page with the signature of the three readers before the title page, an abstract of not more than 600 words, and the curriculum vitae of the candidate, following the bibliography.
An advisor shall guide the candidate’s research. The subject of the thesis shall be submitted to the Dean within the first three months of the study program to be approved by the Post-graduate Committee of STS. A tentative outline and bibliography shall be submitted for approval before the general examination.

The thesis will be submitted to two additional readers for approval and evaluation at least by the end of June in the year that the degree will be awarded, after the advisor is satisfied with the content, style and format of the thesis. One additional reader will be named by the Area Dean from the Area Faculty. The other will be named by the Dean of SEAGST from outside the Area. The signatures of all three readers indicating approval of the final draft shall appear in the thesis. The readers will give their evaluation (A or B) to the Dean of STS to be reported to the Area Dean.

The Area committee will arrange an oral examination on the thesis as appropriate.

Candidates are required to submit two bound copies (Hardcover) of the final copy of the thesis (printed from laser printer): one for the library of STS (consult the Librarian for the style), and one for SEAGST.

Time Limitation
1. A maximum of two years for full-time scholarship students to complete all work.
2. A maximum of four years for part-time students.
3. Application can be made to the STS Post-graduate Committee for extension of study program at RM1000 per annum.

Award of Degree
When the Area committee is satisfied that the candidates have completed the entire requirement of the Master of Theology degree, it shall be reported to the Senate which shall in turn recommend to the Board of Governors the award of degree.

Old Testament
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of biblical Hebrew sufficient for exegesis and a working knowledge of New Testament Greek.

Areas of Concentration:
1.Old Testament literature, Canon and Text.
2.Either: the history of Israel to 63 BC Or: The religion and culture of Israel.
3.Either: Old Testament Theology in an Asian Setting
Or: Old Testament exegesis and interpretation in an Asian setting
4.A selected area from another field.

New Testament
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of New Testament Greek sufficient for exegesis and a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew.

Area of concentration:
1.New Testament literature, Canon and text.
2.Either: the historical, cultural and religious background of the New Testament from 167 BC to 110 AD
Or: The origins of the church—the founder and the early history as found in the New Testament.
3.Either: New Testament theology in an Asian setting.
Or: New Testament exegesis and interpretation in an Asian setting.
4.A selected area from another field.

Biblical Theology
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Principles of biblical interpretation in an Asian setting.
2.Either: God’s people in the Old Testament
Or God’s people in the New Testament.
3.Either: Major theological themes in the Old and New Testaments in an Asian setting.
Or: a selected theme of significance for the Asian church, such as: Covenant Theology; the messianic hope; the mission of the people of God; the resurrection of Jesus, etc.
4.A selected area from another field.

Systematic Theology
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Either: Historic Christian Creeds in an Asian Context,
Or: particular theologian with significance for Asia,
Or: particular doctrine and its significance for Asia.
2.Either: Contemporary theologies and their significance in Asia.
Or : Method in Theology.
3.Theological construction in Asia.
4.A selected area from another field.

Philosophy of Religion
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Foundations: The nature of religion and religious experience; philosophical understanding of religion and religious experience; the philosophical heritage of early and modern Christianity.
2.Either: The main ideas in religious belief considered from a philosophical perspective: God, the holy, Karma, Nirvana, revelation and reason, the problem of evil etc.
Or: A selected philosopher or religion with significance for Asia.
3.Current trends in the philosophy of religion significant for Asia, such as : existentialism; personalism; process of philosophy; linguistic philosophy; neo-Confucian humanism; contemporary Zen, etc.
4.A selected area from another field.

Church History
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Historiography: approaches and methods of writing church history.
2.Either: a selected period of church history in relation to Asian Churches.
Or: A particular historical movement or event in Europe or North American church history of significance to Asia churches.
3.Eeither: Asia Church History.
Or: The history of a particular church in Asia.
4.A selected area from another field.

Missiology
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.
Area of Concentration:

1.Theology of mission for the church in Asia: Biblical foundations; proclamation and dialogue as expressions of mission; socio-cultural orientation.
2.The history of church missionary activity from an Asian perspective: The coming of Christianity to Asia; political and social factor in mission; impact of mission on Asian societies, the planning of churches, mission in an area of modernization.
3.Selected subjects, such as: evangelization and church growth; missionary sending from Asian Churches; dialogue with people of living faiths and ideologies; specific missiological problems, etc.
4.A selected area from another field.

Ecumenics
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Foundations: Biblical and theological basis for developing an ecumenical theology for church and mission in Asia.
2.History: The ecumenical movement, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, with special emphasis on problems of ecumenism in Asia.
3.Selected subjects related to ecumenism in Asia, such as: ecclesiastical divisions; ecumenical social thought in Asia; regional or national expressions of ecumenism, post-Vatican II; critical reactions to the ecumenical movements.
4.A selected area from another field.

Asian Religions
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Methodology for studying religion and religions, with particular reference to the alternative chosen in 2, below, and including field research tools.
2.Either: A specialized study of some aspect of a particular Asian religion, including ethnic religions.
Or: A comparative study of a specific theme in Asian religions.
3.Either: The Christian approaches to other religions with reference to the Asian context.
Or: The theology of religions.
4.A selected area from another field.

Ministry and Ministers
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Pastoral theology: Biblical basis, historical development, and interaction between psychology and theology, principles of counseling.
2.Ministry and ministers: The nature and mission of the church: The role of the pastor or church worker in church and society; person-oriented, church oriented, and world oriented ministries of the church; church and society.
3.A selected area of interest, such as: management and administration; the ministry of preaching; urban industrial mission; clinical pastoral education; mission in rural communities, ministry to national armed forces; evangelization and church growth; new forms of ministry in Asia.
4.A selected area from another field.

Christian Education
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.Philosophical, psychological and sociological bases for Christian Education.
2.The biblical, theological and historical foundations of Christian Education.
3.The educational ministry of the Church in Asia; its objectives, methods, program, curriculum, and contemporary development in Christian Education in a particular Asian location.
4.A selected area from another field.

Liturgy and Worship
Prerequisite: A working knowledge of whatever language is necessary for the student’s research.

Area of Concentration:
1.A study of biblical models in Liturgy and Worship.
2.Liturgy and Worship in the life and witness of the Church in the last two thousands years.
3.Experiments in Liturgy and Worship in Asia.
4.A selected area from another field