Programmes and Degrees

TCNN offers the following degrees and diplomas:

Undergraduate Programmes:

-Bachelor of Divinity

The Theological College of Northern Nigeria, in conjunction with the University of Jos, to which the course is affiliated, offers 4 and 3 year full-time courses leading to a Bachelor of Divinity Degree. This degree is also offered through a part-time programme over 6 years and 4½ years.

The Bachelor of Divinity degree is designed for students who have not yet undertaken theological studies. However, for the part-time programme only, admission to this degree programme is also at present available to holders of a diploma in theology.

The difference between the full-time and part-time programmes shall be in the intensity of teaching the part-time courses and in the separation of written assignments, which are to be done by the end of the December following the teaching and examination of each course. In addition, lecturers are encouraged to provide hand-outs for part-time students. Students will normally be required to buy at least one textbook per course at registration. The part-time course will be organised on the basis of two modules per session, each four weeks long, with a one week gap between modules, i.e. a total of nine weeks in a session. The session will fall within the long vacation of each academic year.

The full BD course pursued part-time will be done in twelve modules over six years. The three year course will take nine modules over four and a half years.

-Bachelor of Theology

The Theological College of Northern Nigeria, in conjunction with the University of Jos, to which the course is affiliated, offers a three year course leading to a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree.

The degree is adapted for those who have a Diploma in Theology and some experience in the ministry. It aims to complement and deepen previous knowledge, not to cover exactly the same ground again (in contrast the BD programme is designed for those new to theological study). However there is a considerable overlap with the syllabus of the BD degree.

Secondly, the design of the B.Th. offers a wide range of electives which would enable students to pursue an area of study in which they are particularly interested. Students have the option of following one of these three departmental tracks – Biblical Studies, Historical and Theological Studies, or Practical Theology. However, it is also possible to study for the degree without following any particular track, selecting electives from any area according to interest.

-Bachelor of Arts Bible Translation

The college offers 4 and 3 year full-time courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible translation. In the 4 year course students go on field assignments for the second semester at 200 level and in the second semester at the 300 level, students either go on field assignments or take alternative taught courses under the advice of the course tutor. In the 3 year course students only go on field assignments in the second semester at the 300 level. All students must select the translation track they wish to follow at the beginning of the 200 level. The choice is between an Old Testament translation track or a New Testament translation track.

Students must register for a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 34 credits each year.

All Bible translation students are required to pass Greek and Hebrew at the Basic level and to pass one of the languages at both Further and Exegesis levels relevant to the track they are following.

Postgraduate Diploma:

-Postgraduate Diploma in Theology

The Theological College of Northern Nigeria offers 1 year full-time courses leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGD). Certain versions of the PGD are also available through a part-time programme over 1½ years.

The PGD is designed to act as a bridge between previous degree level studies of different kinds and theological study at Masters level. Different versions of the PGD are available depending on both the nature of previous study (whether in theology, related disciplines or other academic disciplines) and the nature of further study at Masters level for which the PGD is intended as preparation. It is also possible to take the PGD without going on to Masters studies.

The difference between the full-time and part-time programme shall be in the intensity of teaching the part-time courses and in the separation of written assignments, which are to be done by the end of the December following the teaching and examination of each course. In addition, lecturers are encouraged to provide hand-outs for part-time students. Students will normally be required to buy at least one textbook per course at registration. The part-time course will be organised on the basis of two modules per session, each four weeks long, with a one week gap between modules, i.e. a total of nine weeks in a session. The session will fall within the long vacation of each academic year. The part-time course will be done in three modules over one and a half years.

-Postgraduate Diploma in Bible Translation and Language Development

This is a one year study programme to give graduates of other disciplines exposure to issues in Bible translation and language development. The course may be used to gain necessary prerequisites for the MA in Bible translation studies or MA in Applied Linguistics. It is a taught course made up of a minimum of 32 credits and a maximum of 36 credits. If the Postgraduate diploma is being taken for entry into the masters programme a student must gain a minimum of 60% and complete one of the tracks for entry into the corresponding masters programme. Courses from other tracks may be taken as electives to make up the total credit requirement.

Master Degrees

-Master of Divinity

The Theological College of Northern Nigeria offers a 2 year full-time course leading to a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.). This degree is also offered through a part-time programme over 3 years.

The M.Div. is designed to enable people who have studied for a PGD to complete their general theological education. It will suit both people preparing for Christian ministry and those who wish to pursue academic theological specialisation further through M.Th. studies.

-Master of Arts Bible Translation Studies

The Master Arts of Bible Translation Studies is a two year MA programme. The first year will normally include 24 taught credits made up of eight three credit modules. The second year will normally include 15 credits lecture modules plus a 9 credit research project with a thesis examined orally by an external examiner.

-Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

The Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics is a second degree in Bible Translation.

-Master of Theology

The Master of Theology is a second degree in Theology, with specializations in Biblical Theology, Old Testament, New Testament, Historical Theology, Church History, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology, Missiology and Christian-Muslim Relations.

In the 2011-2012 academic session, we will offer a Master’s Degree in Old Testament, Biblical Theology, Church History, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Missiology, and Christian-Muslim Relations.

Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

All candidates for the undergraduate degrees (full-time or part-time) must be recommended by the College, and be qualified under any of the following:

-The School Certificate (WASC or NECO) with credits in at least five subjects including English, obtained at no more than two sittings.

-The General Certificate of Education (GCE) O level in at least five subjects including English, obtained at no more than two sittings.

-The Teachers’ Grade II Certificate with Credit/Merit in at least five subjects including English, obtained at no more than two sittings.

-Other certificates recognised as of equal value for entry to Nigerian Universities are acceptable subject to approval in each case by the College.

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

All candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology must be recommended by the College, and qualified under any one of the following:

-A first degree in any subject from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

-A Higher National Diploma (HND) in any subject from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

-An equivalent qualification from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

A candidate may make a single application for Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and Master of Divinity programmes, but continuation to the latter will depend on achieving a minimum CGPA of 55 in the former.

Master of Divinity Admission Requirements

All candidates for the Master of Divinity degree must be recommended by the College, and qualified under any one of the following

-A first degree in any subject from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

-A Higher National Diploma (HND) in any subject from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

-An equivalent qualification from a recognised institution with at least a II 2 result

and in addition a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology from the College or a recognised institution with a CGPA of no less than 55 or its equivalent.

A candidate may make a single application for Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and Master of Divinity programmes, but continuation to the latter will depend on performing adequately in the former.

Master of Arts Admission Requirements

Admission is based on the general entry qualifications of Nigerian universities in normally requiring a minimum second class upper division first degree recognised by the college and in a relevant subject: Bible translation, Biblical studies, theology or divinity with emphasis on biblical studies; linguistics or English or a another language with linguistics.

A student who has graduated in an unrelated subject with a minimum second class upper division degree and who has completed the Post graduate diploma in Bible translation and language development with a minimum B grade may also be admitted.

Each track may have additional requirements as found in the sections below. A student must indicate his or her chosen track on application and include a full transcript of their relevant studies.

The track comprises eight courses amounting to 24 credits.

If a student does not have the full prerequisites for a chosen course or track he or she must make up the deficiency by taking the relevant BA courses concurrent with the MA. These will not count towards the credits for the MA programme.

All students are expected to have competence in the general use of computers and to have completed a course in computer programmes relevant to the specialist track. All tracks will require competence in the use of a word processor. Some of these such as computing for translation and basic translation principles may be gained in the college’s part-time programme in the weeks preceding full admission.

In accordance with the overall college requirement a recommendation is required from the candidate’s church denomination countersigned by a TEKAN church leader if it is not a TEKAN church.

Master of Theology Admission Requirements

The normal entry requirement is at least a second class upper division result in a first degree in Theology recognised by the college; however, depending on space and other considerations, a strong second class lower division may be considered.

Theological College of Northern Nigeria

Academics