Belfast School Of Theology
Our New MA & Courses
New MA and other courses
Belfast School of Theology is excited to announce the launch of its new MA in Practical Theology in September 2024. Taught online, the degree combines modules with a wide canvas of dissertation specialisms, including:
Theology
Culture and Missiology
Evangelism
Homiletics
Church Planting
Practical Theology of Worship Leading
Pastoral Care
Counselling
An essential raison d’être of Theological Education is serving the Church by professionally qualifying servants for a broad field of ministries. The new MA in Practical Theology will train students to enter new and innovative areas of ministry (e.g., church planting, worship directing, and pastoral counselling) as well as more traditional pathways of service (pulpit ministry and pastoral care).
Catalyst courses, programmes and micro-credentialing
Belfast School of Theology currently offers a wide range of exciting courses across a broad spectrum of intellectual, spiritual and gifting areas. These courses are called ‘Catalyst Courses’ because their purpose is to catalyse the people of God for missional impact. Over 200 people undertake college-validated courses during an academic year. The School celebrates this aspect of its theological education platform. In future, BST will offer ‘micro-credentials’ for its college-based courses, whereby participants will receive formal acknowledgement at a Higher Education level for their endeavours. Micro-credentials can be gathered up and used to fulfil university entrance requirements into diploma and degree programmes.
BST is exploring a new international students’ scholarship scheme. Working with missionary agencies, Global South churches will nominate ministers and pastors (and identify strategic areas of research) for the new MA in Practical Theology. Each student will study the agreed strategic area of Practical Theology and present a post-study strategic plan, outlining missional impact in his or her context. UK churches will be invited to sponsor students and their strategic plans.
Diplomas are extremely worthwhile for one year of study full-time. BST intends to increase the variety of Diplomas on offer. In future, this will include areas such as Christian counselling, Apologetics and Ethics.
BST is exploring the possibility of a Gap Year experience for those finishing school or university. The Gap Year programme will offer modules from the Undergraduate Degree programme, as well as church ministry placements in Ireland and a three-month residential placement with a missionary organisation overseas. (Please get in touch if you or someone you know might be interested.)
The College is building a bespoke E-Learning centre to support Theological Education both locally and globally. In addition to the new MA, several shorter-term courses shall be available via E-learning.
The New App and Website
For September 2024, BST will have a new website. College is also introducing a new App that will give access to information about courses, degrees and the catalyst programme. The App will also have a ‘bookings and payments’ section which users can use, review and amend in the ‘My BST’ membership section. New College supporters and donors will be able to sign up through the App while existing supporters and donors can opt-in to have a ‘My BST’ membership.
BST hopes this feature will make bookings and information flow a lot more efficient.
The App will also have a ‘bookings and payments’ section which users can review and amend in the ‘My BST’ membership section.