Academic Programmes

ESSA Academic Programmes Currently ESSA offers 3 academic Learning Programmes.

These programmes are accredited by CHE (Council of Higher Education) and registered with the SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) Learners Database.

	Aim or Goal of Programme	Credit Requirements	Duration	Entry requirements
Certificate of Theology	Lay Ministers and Associate Leaders	120	1 year
Diploma of Theology	Ministers and Leaders of Para-Church Organizations	240	2 years
Bachelor of Theology	Teachers, Ministers, Leaders of Para-Church Organizations. This programme enables to pursue post-graduate studies, leading to the Masters Level or a Doctorate.	360	3 years

Certificate in Theology

People who achieve this Qualification can:

Apply Christian sources in context.
Apply Christian Theology and Ethics personally and in community.
Practice ministries in the church.
Practice Christian ministry in the wider community.

Rationale:
The majority of candidates for this Qualification are likely to be working in churches and other Christian Ministry ventures. The Qualification will give them the opportunity to integrate knowledge of the Christian faith with essential skills to minister and lead Christian communities, as well as develop the values of such leadership.

Diploma in Theology

People who achieve this Qualification can:

Apply Christian sources in context.
Apply Christian Theology and Ethics personally and in community.
Practice ministries in the church.
Practice Christian ministry in the wider community.

Rationale:
The majority of candidates for this Qualification are likely to be working in churches and other Christian Ministry ventures. The Qualification will give them the opportunity to integrate knowledge of the Christian faith with essential skills to minister and lead Christian communities, as well as develop the values of such leadership.

Bachelor of Theology
People who achieve this Qualification can, with a strong measure of independence:

Interpret, integrate and apply Christian sources in context
Understand their communities, in the light of the history of Christianity, and position themselves responsibly in their contexts
Analyse information critically and articulate and communicate effectively
Evaluate and apply Christian theology and ethics personally and in community
Practise and evaluate ministries in the church
Initiate and develop Christian ministry in the wider community

The majority of candidates for this Qualification are likely to be working in churches, para-church and community organisations. The Qualification will give them the opportunity to integrate knowledge of the Christian faith with essential skills to minister to and lead Christian communities and contribute to the development and transformation of the broader society, as well as develop the values of such leadership. Learners who wish to gain an understanding of the Christian faith and to develop their own spirituality will also benefit from this Qualification. Some learners will continue after this first degree with post-graduate studies, which may be required for a professional Qualification by some faith communities.