1. The program seeks to integrate “Head”  or “Knowing” (biblical and theological study and reflection), “Heart” or “Being” (character and spiritual formation) and “Hand” or “Doing” (ministerial skills, practices and competency).
2. The program seeks to integrate the “Text” (Bible and Theology), “Person” (Pastor/Church Leader), and “Context” (Church and World) for ministry.
3. Other than class lectures and personal independent research, learning and writing, it encourages on-going group interaction, accountability and support among the participants.

Requirement for Ministerial Experience
Upon completing their first theological degree, applicants are required to have at least five years of full-time Christian vocational ministry, such as involvement in pastoral ministry, missionary activity and/or theological education.

English Language Proficiency
English Track applicants are required to have TOEFL score of at least 550 (or 220 for computer-based) or IELTS score of at least 6.

Academic Requirement
Applicants for enrolment must possess Master of Theology degree; or Master of Divinity; or Master of Ministry; or its equivalent.

For Master of Theology Degree Holder

Note: Those with a Master of Theology degree, which includes a thesis component, will be exempted from Research Methodology.  However, they are required to formulate their thesis proposal on their own and submit it to the Post Graduate Studies Office for approval before they begin their last 2 courses.

For Master of Divinity Degree Holder 

For Master of Ministry Degree Holder

Note:
Those with qualifications other than the above stated will be evaluated accordingly.

The Program is meant to be an in-service program allowing participants to complete their studies while engaged in full-time ministry.

  Note :

1. Application for extension beyond the maximum time-frame will be allowed under special circumstances. The extension must not exceed one year beyond the maximum time-frame allowed.
2. Participants who are unable to complete the Program within the maximum time frame stipulated (including item 1 above) will be withdrawn from the Program. A person who has been withdrawn from the Program may re-apply for admission into the Program but they must start from the beginning.  No transfer of credits from courses completed will be allowed.
3. While the Program is structured as a part-time in-service program, it is possible to make special arrangements for those who wish to take leave of absence from their ministry to do one year (or longer) of full-time study, especially for writing their thesis.

For Master of Theology Degree Holder

For Master of Divinity Degree Holder

For Master of Ministry Degree Holder

Note:

1. Continuation (extension) fee:
   (a) RM300 for the particular year when the participant does not sign up for any course.
   (b) RM300 per year after normal years.
2. Fees will be reviewed and adjusted periodically, at least once every four years.

Three (3) Core courses

1. Theology of Minister and Ministry
2. Church, World and Mission in the 21st Century
3. Advanced Biblical Hermeneutics and Homiletics

Electives in the following areas:

1. Spiritual Formation
2. Biblical & Theological Studies & Ethics
3. Worship, Liturgy, Sacraments & Preaching
4. Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth
5. Christian Leadership & Mentoring
6. Christian Education & Discipleship
7. Pastoral Care & Counseling
8. Religious Studies
9. Contemporary Issues & Marketplace Ministry
10. Behavioral & Social Sciences
11. Others

Pre-course reading / assignment(s)

1. Information on pre-course readings and assignment(s) for a course will be provided to students six months before the course begins.
2. Basic pre-course readings: 1,200-1,500 pages (English), 1,800-2,400 pages (Chinese).
3. Reading reports / reviews / assignment(s): must be submitted on the first day of the class.  Failure to do so will result in a reduction of grade for the course.

Course work

1. Two courses will be offered in two consecutive weeks, normally in October / November, each year. Each course will be taught intensively over a week (Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday) for a total of 40 class-hours.
2. Class setting: lectures, discussion, group interaction etc.
3. Assignment(s): (English track) one paper of 10,000 words (text only), (Chinese track, 20,000 words), or two of 5,000 words each (Chinese, 10,000 words), or relevant project(s) designed by the lecturer of the course. 
4. Deadline for submitting assignments: within six (6) months after the course (absolutely no extension).
5. Failure to submit an assignment by the deadline will be considered as failure of the course. If it is a core course, it must be repeated again.  If it is an elective course, it must be replaced by another elective.

Independent Research & Writing

1. A maximum two (2) elective courses may be done by independent research and writing under a qualified supervisor.
2. The requirements for the readings and assignments, their submission and the like should be equivalent to that stated in Course Work in 13.3.

Thesis (Research) Methodology

1. The Thesis (Research) Methodology course is to be taken by all participants, except those with Master of Theology qualification (which includes a thesis component).  This course should assist in the formulation of the participant’s thesis proposal, which must be submitted and approved before completing the final three courses of the Program
2. The Thesis Proposal must be approved by both the lecturer who taught Thesis Methodology and the Office of Post Graduate Studies in consultation with the potential thesis supervisor in order for the candidate to proceed with the Program.
3. The Thesis Supervisor reserves the right to review and revise the Proposal in order for the participant to proceed with the writing of the thesis.
4. Thesis Methodology is graded pass/fail only.

Thesis

1. The thesis will be written by the candidate under the guidance of a supervisor appointed or approved by the Office of Post Graduate Studies.
2. It is to be about 50,000 words (text only) (Chinese, 100,000 words) with originality that is expected at doctoral level and followed the writing format stipulated by STM.
3. It will be read by two readers (normally one internal and one external) after it has been approved by the supervisor.
4. The candidate will be called to give an oral defense (viva) of the thesis after it has been approved by the readers.
5. The readers will be the examiners at the viva. The Director of Post Graduate Studies or the Academic Dean of STM will act as Convener. The presence of the supervisor is recommended.
6. Re-submission of the final edited copy of the thesis will be supervised by the supervisor.
7. The Office of the Post Graduate Studies reserves the right for the final approval of the thesis.
8. The thesis is graded pass/fail only.

1. A maximum of 30% of elective courses can be fulfilled by transferring credits from other equivalent doctoral programs from institutions recognized by STM.
2. Registration with and approval by STM must be obtained prior to taking a course(s) at other institutions where credits will be transferred.
3. Transferring credits incurs a fee of RM200 per course.

1. The participants are allowed a maximum of two repeated or replacement courses.
2. The participants are allowed to replace a maximum of two courses, which obtained low grades, by doing extra courses in order to attain the GPA required for graduation.

• Standard pdf format: Whole set of forms in which include Application Form, two Letters of Recommendation. Click to download
• Word document format forms (allow applicant/referees to key in data direct onto the forms):
   Click to download Application Form.
   Click to download Letter of Recommendation to email to the Principal or a faculty member. 
   Click to download Letter of Recommendation to email to the senior official of the denomination or church.

Please ensure that the following are sent together with your application form:

1. One recent passport-size photograph.
2. One copy of official transcript of Master of Theology or Master of Divinity or Master of Ministry or its equivalent.
3. One copy of Certificate of English language competency.
4. A proposal for the intended research of not less than 2000 words.
5. Application fee: RM100
6. Orientation fee: RM100

The recommendations should be provided by someone who knows you well and able to provide all the required information.
The first recommendation letter shall be from the Principal or a faculty member of the seminary in which the applicant graduated. It should provide information on the applicant’s academic standard, achievement and ability to pursue Doctor of Ministry program.
The second recommendation letter shall be from a senior official (Bishop, Moderator, President, etc) of the applicant’s denomination or church. It should provide information on the applicant’s personality, character, strength etc.
Please request your referees to send the letter of recommendation directly to the Director of Post-Graduate Studies.