The Christian Leaders’ Training College of Papua New Guinea’s Masters Programme leads to the award of a Master of Theology (MTh) Degree.

The Nature of the Programme:

The MTh programme is primarily for those who have already completed a bachelor’s level degree in theology or related fields and who desire to upgrade their qualifications in the fields of Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, History, Ministry and Mission and their role and relevance in Melanesian life, society and cultures today. The MTh particularly serves the needs of theological educators teaching in Melanesian Bible Schools, Bible and Theological Colleges, of teachers of religious education in Melanesian Schools and Colleges and of Christian Ministers and Christian service agency personnel seeking to better equip themselves for contextualized ministry in Melanesia. The Masters can also contribute significantly to the post-graduate education of Christians in other service ministries and professions such as Education, Teacher Education, the Social Services, Medical Services and Law by giving a sound academic basis for exploring the biblical and theological foundations for vocations and community service in these fields.

The Objectives of the Programme are:

To provide an advanced degree in Christian Theology in and for the Melanesian context;
To serve the Melanesian Church and society by enabling those with Bachelor degrees in Theology and related fields to upgrade their qualifications and enhance their ministry effectiveness;
To equip Melanesian Christian leaders with a higher level of biblical, theological, missiological and pastoral understanding and academic skills to relate the Christian Gospel more effectively to Melanesian cultural life, to societal development, professions and vocations, and to contemporary issues in our nations and region;
To provide an internationally recognised Masters degree which:
- cultivates an integrated competency in the component study fields, together with sufficient specialisation to enable students to explore in depth their particular area of interest or involvement, and
- fosters the integration of culturally contextualized theory and praxis in their study and ministry.
To provide a channel for academic staff of the Christian Leaders’ Training College to upgrade their qualifications and to broaden the potential recruitment pool for such teaching staff of the College;
To provide a pathway for suitably gifted graduates to go on to higher levels of study and qualification in their chosen fields.

Learning Outcomes of the Programme:

Students completing the programme will be able:

to demonstrate a critical understanding of the major trends, issues and schools of thought currently contributing to the component areas of study,
- demonstrating an appropriate level of mastery of the issues of debate in these areas, and
- giving a fair and informed account of representative points of view;
- showing familiarity with recognized resource materials in their area of study;
to demonstrate well-developed skills of research, critical analysis and constructive synthesis and application so as to show competence in thinking independently in their area of specialization;
to write coherent narrative which is internally consistent, interacts critically with central issues, properly represents and acknowledges the contributions of others, and demonstrates ability to form a reasoned opinion;
to use sound principles of interpretation and contextualization in applying biblical and theological insights in the area of enquiry;
to indicate the role and importance of biblical and theological presuppositions and insights for addressing the central issues in their subject area;
to elucidate the Melanesian cultural implications of current academic discussion in their area of study;
to demonstrate high standards of professional, ethical and human relationships in their approach to study and research;
to indicate possible areas of ongoing enquiry arising from their present work;
to bring a Melanesian perspective to international academic discussion of their field of study with a competence appropriate to Master’s level;
to use in teaching and Christian service, and make available to the church, appropriate aspects of current scholarship in their field of study.

Course Requirements and Level:

The MTh Programme is at Level 9 on the Papua New Guinea National Qualifications Framework and complies with the requirements for Masters degrees at this level*.
*In its formative stages the initial courses in the CLTC MTh programme were modelled on, and taught and
moderated according to the requirements of Masters programmes accredited through the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority, namely those of Laidlaw College (formerly Bible College of New Zealand). On
the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework, Masters taught courses straddle the New Zealand
NQF levels 8 and 9. These courses, we contend, are equivalent to Level 9 on the PNG National
Qualifications Framework.

The MTh programme for each candidate is made up of eight (8) courses, plus demonstration of competency in a Biblical language. The eight courses are chosen from the three fields of Biblical Studies; Christian Theology and History; and Ministry and Mission. The Biblical language competency is normally demonstrated by completing a ninth course, normally in New Testament Greek, or by showing current competency through the recognition of prior learning.

The eight-course programme requires the equivalent of two years full-time study, or a total of 2,400 study hours. Students are encouraged to undertake the MTh as a full-time programme. For Part-Time students the time requirement may be extended to up to five years from the commencement of the first Course.

Required and Optional Courses

In their overall programme, as well as the required language course, students must complete at least one course from each of the three fields of Biblical Studies; Christian Theology and History; and Ministry and Mission; with a normal maximum of no more than three courses in any one of these fields.

The remaining subjects may be spread across one or more of the fields. The MTh has a significant research requirement which is met by each student completing both a Theological Research and Writing course, and either a 10,000 word research paper which comprises one of the eight courses; or a 20,000 word research dissertation which comprises two of the eight courses. The research Paper or dissertation focuses in the area of specialisation of the selected courses chosen by the candidate.

Taught courses each comprise 300 total learning hours. Normally 30 hours are in class and 270 hours in personal study and writing. Each taught course has an expectation of 8,000 words of writing spread over the assessment tasks for the course.

A Full-time Masters student study load is two courses per Semester (one per Term) or four courses per year for two years, plus weekly Biblical language class throughout two Semesters.

Course Cycles

One delivery option is that CLTC commence two year full-time cycles of courses from 2011. Students will be accepted into the programme every second year and advance through the programme as a cohort of students together.

The following is a possible sequence of courses for such a full-time two-year programme:

Courses On Offer			Meets Tuesday – Friday AM	Meets Monday AM
Year 1	Semester 1	Term 1	Theology and History Course	Greek
	Semester 1	Term 2	Biblical Studies Course	Greek
	Semester 2	Term 3	Ministry & Mission Course	Greek
	Semester 2	Term 4	Theological Research & Writing Course	Greek
Year 2	Semester 1	Term 1	Biblical Studies Course
	Semester 1	Term 2	Theology & History Course or Dissertation
	Semester 2	Term 3	Work on Dissertation or Research Paper
	Semester 2	Term 4	Ministry & Mission Course

Students who have enrolled in earlier Pilot Courses may have opportunity for full-time completion of their programme during 2011-2012 as necessary.

1. Taught Course and Research Paper Options:
Each of the eight courses requires the equivalent of 30 lecture hours plus personal study to make up a total of 300 study hours per Course. The normal pattern of Course selection is to complete:

Either Option One:
- Six Taught Courses (each 30 Lecture Hours, and 300 total learning hours), and
- The Theological Research and Writing Course, and
- One Research Paper of 10,000 words (300 learning hours);
Or Option Two:
- Five Taught Courses (each 30 Lecture Hours, and 300 total learning hours), and
- The Theological Research and Writing Course, and
- One Dissertation of 20,000 words (600 learning hours).

Option One	Option Two
Taught Courses 1 (Each 300hrs study) 2 3 4 5 6 Theol Research & Writing 7 Research Paper (300 hrs)	Taught Courses 1 (Each 300hrs study) 2 3 4 5 Theol Research & Writing 6 Dissertation (600 hrs)
Total Courses 8 (2,400 hrs)	Total Courses 8 (2,400 hrs)
Plus Biblical Language Competency or Course	Plus Biblical Language Competency or Course

Students applying for Option Two must demonstrate a high level of research competence in their major essays for their first three Taught Courses before being confirmed as a candidate for the Dissertation option.

The Biblical Language competency course is a 200 hour equivalent course, and for fulltime students is normally taken through two semesters of study concurrently with, or before, their first New Testament course.

2. Assessment and Required Grades
Each Taught Course includes written assessment tasks involving research and requiring a minimum of 8,000 words written. Taught Courses are assessed by a variety of assessment tasks which may be selected from: Pre-Reading Reports, Literature Reviews, Shorter Research essays; Class Presentations; Class Tests; Examinations and Major Research Essay. The Major assessment task is normally worth at least 50% of the course grade, with up to two other assessments weighted accordingly. The major assessment involves significant personal research by each student and would usually be a research essay of at least 4,000 words. As explained below, the major assessment task of each Taught Course is externally moderated after being graded by the course lecturer.

An average of C grades for the Programme is the minimum pass grade for the combined assessment tasks of each Course, with all students needing at least a C- grade in their major assessment task for each course. At the discretion of the Course Lecturer, a student may be offered one opportunity to re-submit their major assessment task if it achieved a D grade.

Length, Frequency and Mode of Delivery of each Course:

Taught Courses are offered as Block courses, requiring full-time study for a period of eight weeks (or one term – two courses per Semester). The delivery mode within the eight week Block may vary according to the desires of the lecturer. For example: lecture input may be preceded by required pre-reading; lectures may be concentrated within a 4-5 week teaching period; with work on the major assessment task subsequent to the block of lectures. The exact details for each particular course will be published at least three months before the course commences.

CLTC plans to offer four Courses a year, with planning schedules developed for twothree years ahead, to allow certainty in the planning of each student’s overall programme. Courses are necessarily also dependent on sufficient numbers enrolling for each Course.

CLTC makes accommodation available for full-time Masters students and their families. Where part-time enrolment is approved accommodation arrangements are negotiated according to particular student needs and availability of student housing.

Admission Requirements:

Candidates will have already gained above average grades (B or higher) in a completed primary degree in Theology (BTh, BD, or equivalent), in which English was the language of instruction, and which was accredited through a recognised agency such as the Melanesian Association of Theological Schools, South Pacific Association of Theological Schools or a recognised Government agency such as the PNG Office of Higher Education. Some university primary degrees majoring in Religious Studies may also qualify as a suitable entry requirement.

[Candidates who have completed a primary degree in English in a field other than Theology from an accredited University or degree granting tertiary institution may qualify to enter the CLTC MTh programme by completing the CLTC Graduate Diploma in Theology (Grad Dip) with above average grades (B or higher). The Grad Dip is a one year full-time equivalent programme comprised of selected courses from the CLTC BTh programme designed to equip the candidate with an existing bachelor qualification with the range of Biblical, Theological and Christian Ministry studies necessary to pursue the Master of Theology programme.]

The College reserves the right to grant provisional entrance to the programme in special circumstances where the candidate can demonstrate competence to do well in the programme despite some inadequacy in pre-requisite achievement. In such cases acceptance will be confirmed by the CLTC Masters Programme Committee after the candidate successfully completes two Masters Courses.

Course Selection and Approval:

Students present their proposed Course selections to the Masters Programme Coordinator who will discuss and confirm or suggest alternatives in the light of the balance of subjects chosen, the appropriateness of any specialization, sequence and timing of courses, and how realistic the selection is in the light of availability of planned courses.

Cross Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Accepted candidates may apply for recognition of cross credit or current competency on the basis of prior learning. Where candidates can document achievement of learning outcomes comparable to the learning outcomes of a particular course the College has power to grant exemption from and/or cross-credit towards a particular course.

Normally no more than the equivalent of cross-credit towards two courses would be granted for one student.

Research Essays, Dissertations and Supervision:

Masters level study involves serious, careful research. Thus, each candidate’s programme, as indicated above, will include a course on Theological Research and Writing, and selection of either a Research Paper of 10,000 words (300 study hours equivalent); or a Dissertation of 20,000 words (600 study hours equivalent).

Approval of Research Papers and Dissertations are subject to the availability of resources and suitable Supervisors in the selected topic area. CLTC has arrangements with its Partner Colleges for assistance from qualified Supervisors.

As part of the Theological Research and Writing Course, students will complete a Research Proposal, setting out the proposed topic; reasons for choosing it; intended methods of research; suggested structure of the content; an indicative bibliography (no less than 10 significant resources for the Research Essay and 20 for a Dissertation); and, if information is to be gathered from human subjects, an Ethics Approval Application. Students should also consider possible Supervisors. The Proposal will also indicate the extent to which research essays completed in other taught courses will be used as source materials for the Research paper or dissertation. The Proposal will be submitted to the Masters Programme Coordinator, and endorsed or recommendations made for change, and a decision about the Supervisor, by the Masters Programme Committee of the National Academic Committee.

At the time of approving a Proposal for a Research Essay or Dissertation the Masters Programme Coordinator will confirm the due date. This is normally, for Research Papers, the last day of the Semester in which the Proposal is accepted, and for Dissertations, the last day of the semester after the semester in which the proposal is accepted.

Research Papers and Dissertations must be the original work of the student; must not have been submitted for credit towards any other academic programme; will fully acknowledge all source material consulted; and will conform to the College’s style, layout and presentation requirements as set out for Masters Research Papers and Dissertations.

Ethics Approval for Data-gathering from Human Subjects:

Responsible researchers are concerned to respect and protect the rights and concerns of those who assist them with resource material for their research. CLTC students are therefore required to gain full, willing and informed consent from any and each person from whom they wish to gather unpublished information to help in their research. Thus, students will discuss the appropriateness of such data-gathering for their research with their Supervisor, and indicate as part of their Research Proposal whether they intend interviewing or in any other way gaining such sensitive, personal information. They will complete the Ethics Approval Application Form to assist in this. The Masters programme Committee will grant approval or otherwise for their Ethics Approval Application.

Course Moderation:

Taught Course assessment tasks are graded by the Course Lecturer. After grading, a representative sample of the students’ major assessment tasks are forwarded to an external Moderator, along with copies of the Course Outline, Learning Outcomes, Overview of Content, Assessment Tasks, Grading Criteria and Bibliographies, plus a Grade Sheet indicating grades achieved in the other assessment tasks. The Moderator then checks the fairness of the grading, comments on the validity of the assessment tasks and has the right to comment on the overall standard of the Course. The Moderator may recommend raising or lowering all or particular grades. The Masters Programme Coordinator follows through the Moderator’s report with the Lecturer concerned and makes any recommended changes before grades are finally recorded and students advised.

All Research Papers and Dissertations are graded initially by the appointed Supervisor and then Moderated by an External Examiner. Where the Moderator recommends a change of Grade, the Masters Programme Coordinator negotiates with the Supervisor to seek agreement. If that is not easily achieved, the Masters Programme Committee may appoint a third examiner whose recommendation is brought to the Masters Programme Committee for final ratification. The Masters Programme Committee formally receives all Research Paper and Dissertation grades.

Participation in CLTC College Community Life:

While in residence on the CLTC Campus, Masters students are expected to participate in the communal life of the College as an integral aspect of their learning experience. Masters Students share in Chapel services and their own communal devotional, worship and social life. Since CLTC Masters courses are significantly subsided by overseas funding agencies, each student is expected to contribute towards the communal development and welfare of the College by assisting with assigned daily living or academic or administrative assistance tasks, such as library assistance; tutorial assistance for undergraduate students; research assistance for lecturers; general College administrative tasks; and house-keeping and food-preparation responsibilities, etc. Masters students are encouraged to initiate cooperative activities with undergraduate students so as to enhance their overall community and learning experience while at the College.

Graduation requirements:

To graduate a student must complete the requirements for each of eight Courses, and achieve at least a C average grade for all eight Courses. The Masters Programme Coordinator is responsible to ensure all the programme requirements (for balance of course fields; achievement of necessary grades; payment of fees, etc.) have been satisfied and to recommend each student’s graduation to the Masters Programme Committee which confirms satisfactory achievement before graduating the student.

Lecturers and Research Supervisors:

Taught Course Lecturers need to be credentialled and approved for each Course by the Masters Programme Committee who ensure normal international standards for Masters teaching are satisfied, including:

- The lecturer is academically qualified in the subject field of the Course, at a stage higher than the level of the Course – normally holding an earned doctoral qualification;
- The lecturer is a competent teacher and is actively involved in research in the subject field of the Course;
- The lecturer is committed to the ethos of CLTC and agrees to teach the course appropriately in line with that ethos.

In the initial stages of the programme particularly, CLTC is depending on partnership with Australasian Bible and Theological Colleges, whom we are referring to as “Partner Colleges”, to recruit suitably qualified and experienced Course Lecturers.

At the same time CLTC is committed to equipping and using its own suitably qualified faculty members to develop and teach Masters’ level courses in this Programme. Likewise Supervisors for Research Papers and Dissertations must themselves hold earned doctoral qualifications in the appropriate field for credentialling by the Masters Programme Committee as Supervisors. Again we are looking to our Partner Colleges to provide the initial group of Supervisors, again moving to local Supervisors as soon as possible.

Resource Provision and Access:

CLTC is committed to ensuring adequate library resources and appropriate internet access to teach viable and credible Masters Courses on its Banz campus initially, and eventually in selected subject fields at the Port Moresby Centre as well. Library acquisitions are being built up in readiness for particular courses in consultation with the Course Lecturer, and with assistance from overseas donors committed to this graduate programme.

This programme assumes the continuance and continuing development of the current broadband access to online teaching and study resources at the College and the associated necessary IT support.

Accreditation and Relationships with Partnering Colleges:

The credibility, viability and quality of this Programme depend in large measure on its accreditation as a genuine, internationally recognised, Masters level programme. CLTC is working to confirm this accreditation and recognition in two ways:

PNG Accreditation through the Office of Higher Education of the PNG
CLTC is currently rejuvenating its accreditation status by registration and accreditation through the procedures of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee of the Office of Higher Education. As part of this process CLTC is also in the process of confirming a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Goroka to ensure credible accreditation of the Masters’ programme within the PNG Tertiary scene.
Credible Partnership Relationships with our “Partner Colleges” in Australasia.
We cannot achieve credibility alone. CLTC also has a Memorandum of Understanding covering partnership relationships for cooperation in the Masters Programme with Laidlaw College, Auckland, New Zealand (formerly Bible College of New Zealand), and is in the process of developing similar arrangements with other Australasian Theological and Bible Colleges.

Programme Administration and Quality Management:

In the CLTC academic structures, as currently being revised, responsibility for the Masters Programme rests with the Dean of Studies working through such other personnel as a Masters Programme Coordinator and through the College’s National Academic Committee and its Masters Programme Committee.

The normal quality assurance procedures of the College apply to the Masters Programme as administered through these personnel and structures. The Academic Advisory Board of the College Council has a declared interest in ensuring the stable development of this Programme and will receive regular reports and evaluation.