Bachelor of Divinity

Aim     Oversight     Admission    Graduation Requirements    Fees

The Bachelor of Divinity programme normally leads to ordination into pastoral ministry. The academic course is five years in length. During the fourth year, students leave the MUCO campus for a year of practical work (internship), normally done in the congregations of the ELCT.

Academic work is done in the English language and consists of class lectures, papers and other assignments; examinations (term and comprehensive); and a thesis written in the last year of studies.

Aim    top

• to broaden students' understanding of the Christian Faith and its historical development;
• to increase students' ability to conceptualize and interpret this faith in a relevant way within the African cultural context in a fruitful dialogue with other world religions and ideologies;
• to equip students with skills and tools to meet present and future challenges in the church and society at large.

Program Oversight    top

The Bachelor of Divinity is a Tumaini University Programme conducted at both Makmira and Irinig University College campuses.

Admission Requirements    top

• Entrance by Direct Admission. The Bachelor of Divinity course is open to men and women who have finished the Advanced certificate of Secondary Education Examination (Form 6) and who are interested in studying theology. Students are accepted for Direct Admission to BD if they meet the following requirements:
  • Approval of the applicant by the applicant's Synod/Diocese/Church
  • Approval by the Faculty of Theology and the Tumaini University Senate
    
         This approval is based upon:
  • Requirements currently in effect at Tumaini University, which are two principal passes with a total of not fewer than 4.5 points which are calculated as follows: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E-1, S=0.5. If the two principal level passes are not acquired at the same sitting, both must be grade C or higher;
         OR
  • Passing a special Degree Entrance Examination (DEE, see below), written on the last Saturday of March each year;
         OR
  • Possession of a University Diploma in Theology with grade "A" or other qualifications judged by the faculty to be equivalent and approved by the Tumaini University Senate;
         OR
  • For non-Tanzanians: requirements currently in effect at the state university of the applicant's own country and judged by Tumaini University to be equivalent.
    
    
• Entrance by Degree Entrance Examination (DEE)
  • No applicant who has already applied successfully for admission by DEE will be considered again for this form of entry.
  • The DEE may be taken by those
    • who have completed Form 4 and have three O-level passes with credit; and a certificate/diploma in Theology at a recognized college with an average of B+ (70%)
    • who possess two principal passes in Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE), A-level, with less than 4.5points
  • Entrance by DEE is valid for the year of the examination and the following year only. If a place is not taken in that time, the applicant will be required to resit the examination.
  • Applications must reach the Deputy Provost Academic Affairs, MUCo, P.O. Box 55, Usa River, Tanzania   OR   IUCo, P.O. Box 22, Iringa, Tanzania, before January 10 of the year in which the applicant wishes to sit for the examination.
    
    
• Entrance with Advanced Standing. Candidates who hold a diploma in theology from a college or university recognized by Tumaini University will be allowed to study the Bachlor of Divinity (BD) degree programme for three years only, provided that they produce original transcripts certifying that thay covered all the courses (including New Testament Greek) which are given in the first year of the BD degree programme during their diploma studies. However, they will have to pass a written examination to prove that they know New Testament Greek.
  
  
• Residence Permit: Non-Tanzanians must apply for and obtain a Residence Permit. The application form may be downloaded here.
  

Graduation Requirements    top

• Students must pass all end-of-semester examinations and all continuous assessments as set forth in the syllabus. Examinations shall be of two kinds:
  • Continuous Assessment Examinations will account for 60% of the overall grade. These will consist of any form of evaluation made during the course of the semester, such as tests, book reports, graded practical projects, other assignments, and semester examinations.
  • University Examinations will account for the remaining 40%.
• Students must prepare a research paper of between 6,000 and 10,000 words (produced on a computer, double-spaced, 30-50 pages in length).
• Students must have completed a ten month accredited internship in a congregation.

Annual Fees in Tanzania Shillings    top

Currency exchange rates

• Transportation to and from MUCo campus is the responsibility of the student/sponsor.
• Field/practical expenses will be determined during the year concerned.
• The Caution Deposit is refundable upon completion of the programme if no damages are owed to MUCo.
• Those students coming with family should pay the full cost of housing and medical.
• Pocket money should be the responsibility of the sponsor

For further information, click here to write to the Academic Office.

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