Certificate/Diploma in Theological & Pastoral Studies
Course Description
The Certificate in Theological & Pastoral Studies (CTPS) and the Diploma in Theological & Pastoral Studies (DTPS) are vocational qualifications offered by the Permanent Private Halls of the University of Oxford, designed specifically as preparation for Christian ministry. They offer a combination of rigorous academic study and the opportunity for some practice-based learning. The CTPS is a one-year programme (or two years of part-time study), while the DTPS is a two-year programme (or four years of part-time study).
Entrance Requirements
Students from a wide variety of backgrounds are admitted to St Stephen's House for the CTPS and DTPS. The normal requirement is that the candidate has been selected by the Church of England (or a church in communion with it) for ministerial training and has good school-leaving or equivalent qualifications.
Teaching Methods
Teaching and learning take place through a combination of lectures and seminars, mostly held at St Stephen's House, in addition to reading and writing for the assignments and other tasks.
Assessment
Subject tutors assess individual assignments within the College as the programme progresses, and in the final term of study the candidate's portfolio of work is assembled for moderation by the University. There are no examinations for these courses.
Languages
There are no language requirements for these courses, although students can choose to study New Testament Greek or Biblical Hebrew if they wish. No previous experience of language learning is necessary.
Course Structure
For the CTPS, or for the first year of the DTPS, candidates undertake four units of study, usually consisting of Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Life & Thought, and Christian Witness & the Contemporary World.
For the second year of the DTPS, candidates undertake a further four units of study, chosen from such options as Christian Doctrine, Church History, Mission & Ministry, Christian Ethics, Christian Worship, Christian Spirituality, and Christian Faith & Other Religions.
