Postgraduate Diploma in Theology in Christian Ministry
The Postgraduate Diploma in Theology in Christian Ministry is designed to equip students for effective leadership and service within diverse faith communities. This programme integrates theological reflection with practical ministry training, enabling students to engage critically with contemporary ministry contexts while developing relevant skills for church and community leadership. Through a combination of theoretical engagement and applied learning, students are prepared to respond to the spiritual, pastoral, and organisational demands of ministry practice.
Contact information
Programme overview
More information
When applying
Please note that selection for postgraduate programmes is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Minimum admission requirements
Target Group
• Prospective ministers, Christian leaders, and pastoral care givers from all denominations who want to receive supervised practical training;
o in order to develop ministry skills within a specific denominational context by integrating theological theories with ministry practice.
Specific Admission Requirements
• A MDiv (Church Ministry), as determined by the relevant church denomination.
Programme structure
Programme Structure
• The programme focuses on supervised professional training within a congregational context, in order to develop ministry skills.
• The training takes place under supervision of the Board of Governors and church councils of various church denominations in co-operation with the Faculty of Theology, in order to comply with the church’s requirements regarding the admission and calling of ministers, Christian leaders and pastoral care givers.
• You do not attend any lectures for this programme. You work independently and must submit reports and assignments.
Course of the Programme
• All the prospective candidates and their mentors must attend an orientation day in November of the preceding year.
• The candidates report to the congregations at the beginning of the last full week in January.
• Students return to campus four times during the year:
o In March: At this session the programme is set out by the programme co-ordinator and the lecturers explain the assignments and the requirements of the subdisciplines.
o In May: The half-year assessment takes place over the course of one week. All assignments for the first semester are discussed at this session.
o The last two full weeks in August: Final conversations with the curatorium take place and the assignments of the second semester are discussed.
o The first week in November: After the candidates have completed their year-long ministry exposure in the congregations, the whole group meets for final feedback and assessment with the mentors and lecturers.
• Cross-cultural exposure:
o Each candidate is expected to experience cross-cultural exposure at another denomination for
a period of at least two weeks.
o This cross-cultural exposure is organised in collaboration with the supervisor for a time and place as mutually agreed upon.
Programme Content
Total 120 credits
Compulsory Modules
Mentorship 711(10)
Ministry Practice 711(50):
Congregational Ministry and Administration (20)
Pastoral Ministry (10)
Public Worship and Communication (10)
Youth Ministry (10)
Old and New Testament 711(10)
Research Portfolio 711(40)
Systematic Theology 711(10)