Bachelor of Arts in Theology

Description of Programme

The United Theological College of the West Indies   offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology; this degree is offered by UTCWI along with other theological schools associated with UWI  namely, St. Micheal’s, Codrington College in Barbados and St. John Vianney in Trinidad. These schools affiliated to UWI formed an association called the Caribbean Association of Theological Schools (CATS).

Entry Requirements

Lower Level Matriculation

  • The programme can be entered through the normal matriculation requirements for the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the UWI. That is five (5) CSEC subjects and two (2) CAPE subjects or its equivalent.
  • Diploma from an approved tertiary institution
  • Licentiate in Theology from the UWI.
  • The regulation also states that candidates can be accepted on lower level matriculation. That is persons not having the required CAPE, Licentiate or Diploma but possess the five (5) CSEC subjects. Such persons can be accepted to UWI but must register as a part-time student. Part-time students are required to complete level 1 courses over two (2) years or 4 semesters. Full-time students can only register for 15 credits in each semester or 5 courses. Part-time students can only register for 9 credits or three courses in each semester.
    • Year 1: 5 Level 1 Courses (including 2 foundation courses)
    • Year 2: 6 Level 1 Courses
  • Students having completed one year at UTCWI in the Certificate in Ministerial Studies or Licentiate in Theology programmes can transfer to UWI B.A. Theology degree or the B.A. in Ministerial Studies programme at the end of the first year. The students’ application to UWI must include a transcript from UTCWI.
  • Students entering through this method will normally offer 4 courses or 12 credits from level 1 UTCWI courses for matriculation purposes. Students will not be offered exemptions for courses offered for matriculation to the UWI. For example if the student completed 30 level 1 credits at UTCWI in year 1, four courses or 12 credits will be used for matriculation purposes. That is 30 credits less 12 credits will leave 18 credits. This means the student will be required to replace those level 1 credits by completing 4 other level 1 courses. This explains why UTCWI should always have an excess of level 1 courses.

In order to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Theology programme the student should complete a minimum of 90 credits distributed as follows:

The remaining 15 credits or 5 courses may be chosen from Biblical, Historical, Pastoral, Theological and Ethical, Religious and Philosophical Studies.

In addition to distribution of courses according to departments, students must ensure that they fulfill the distribution at different levels. Students are normally expected to fulfill the following minimum level requirements:

Level 1: 30 credits INCLUDING foundation courses

Level 2: 21 credits EXCLUDING foundation courses

Level 3: 24 credits

The remaining 15 credits of 5 courses may be chosen from levels 2 or 3.

NB: Students entering the UWI Theology Degree programmes (B.A. Ministerial Studies and B.A. Theology programmes) using the Lower Level Matriculation requirements are advised to do so at the completion of their first year at UTCWI.

Courses Credits # of Courses
Biblical Studies (includes Biblical Languages) 12 4
Historical Studies 6 2
Pastoral Studies or Practical Theology 12 4
Theological and Ethical Studies 12 4
Religious & Philosophical Studies 6 2
Foundation Courses 15 5
Non-major Humanities Credits 8td> 3
Research –linked course 3 3
Total 90 27

The UWI does not grant transfer of credits for levels II and III courses completed in the UTCWI programmes. Students who enter UWI Theology Degree programmes with levels II and III courses from UTCWI will be required to re-do the courses, if they form part of the requirements of the programme they are pursuing at the UWI.

Aims

The aims of the programme of study and ministerial formation are:

  • To promote a community of learning that is conducive to theological reflection and learning and the nurturing of persons for ministry as lay or ordained persons within the denominational traditions from which they come;
  • To create a learning environment in which the pursuit of truth is undertaken with academic rigour, faith is related to reason, worship is related to study, and the integration of knowledge is promoted through interdisciplinary dialogue;
  • To promote a community of living, learning and worship in which ecumenical engagement is fostered and narrow sectarianism is challenged;
  • To create a community of learning which is informed by sensitivity to the Caribbean context within which the institution is located, so that this Caribbean reality is reflected in all areas of the institution’s life; and
  • To develop close relations with The University of the West Indies and St. Michael’s Theological College as a vehicle for interdisciplinary and ecumenical dialogue in a context of academic rigor.
PLEASE APPLY TO BOTH UWI, MONA AND UTCWI