Across the past two to three decades the explosion of church growth in sub-Saharan Africa has led to unprecedented demands for quality church leadership. West Africa Theological Seminary recognizes that to keep pace with this development there is a need for a superior Master’s-level program designed to further equip busy bishops to lead their dioceses into the twenty-first century and beyond. In close cooperation with consultants from within Nigeria, around the continent and also from North America, we have put together a unique and high-powered curriculum and have recruited some of the best scholars and mentors available as adjunct faculty. The result is an executive track and a degree program of stunning practicality and clear excellence.
REGULAR AND FAST TRACK MODULES
The Graduate Studies shall run both.
⦁ REGULAR THREE (3) YEARS JANUARY AND JULY MODULES, and
⦁ A FAST TRACK TWO (2) YEARS (JANUARY, APRIL, JULY AND OCTOBER) MODULES
NB: NOTE THAT BOTH OPTIONS CONCLUDE A MAJOR PROJECT.
The MA in Christian Leadership is a 48 credit-hour Master of Arts degree irrespective of the TRACK: REGULAR OR FAST TRACK OPTIONS specifically and exclusively for Episcopal-level Church leadership in Africa. The idea of the FAST TRACK is conceived from the feelers in recent times showing that there are younger vibrant bishops who are willing to spend lesser time to complete their MACL programs and move on to other pressing academic programs having established themselves on such foundational courses.
Statement of Purpose: This is a program for current African church leaders working at the Episcopal level. It is designed to provide the best possible training in: (1) principles of leadership and management, (2) modern communication, (3) understanding globalization and ecumenical networking, (4) the importance of holistic ministry, especially in rapidly unbanning Africa (5) Christian theology and ethics in the twenty-first century, and (6) strengthening biblical foundations.
Modules: Two modules are held twice or four times yearly, depending on whether REGULAR or FAST track. Each module yields three credits and consists of all-day sessions Monday through Friday (8AM-5PM) with short and long breaks arranged with the facilitator. Sessions take both the lecture and seminar format. Students are required to do a research project after each module.
All of the courses in this program are offered on the modular system — for the convenience of busy bishops and also to enable WATS to bring to campus excellent international adjunct faculty. Each module consists of thirty-six hours of classroom instructions, over a five-day period.
Program Requirements
⦁ Entry Requirements: Applicants must hold Episcopal-level church appointments and must have a valid first degree with at least a second-class pass.
⦁ Graduation Requirements: The candidate must have successfully completed 48 credit hours. This comprises of 39 course credits, 3, Advanced Research Credits, and 6 credits for a major project.
⦁ Post-class Project Requirement: Students are required to write a project after each module.
⦁ Assignments: Students must turn in completed assignment a week before the commencement of the next module. Students who fail to turn in their assignment(s) will not be allowed to register for the next module.
⦁ Major Project Requirements: After the last module each student will take a three-credit course in Advanced Research, and is then expected to write a major and quality project developing a theme or themes from any of the modules which relates in the practical way with their own ministry. The major project will attract six (6) credits.
Specific Goals of the MA in Christian Leadership
This program is designed to enable Episcopal-level leaders who are:
⦁ Competent to understand and apply relevant principles of leadership and management for the Church of the Twenty-first century.
⦁ Adept at the use of modern information technology as it applies to top church leadership.
⦁ Understand the significance of globalization and ecumenical networking.
⦁ Understand and engage in effective wholistic ministry, especially as it applies to rapidly urbanizing Africa.
⦁ Evince a balanced perspective of biblical foundations and a capable articulation of Christian theology and ethics for our times.
General Requirements for Admission
Applicants generally must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in religion or theology, with a second-class pass, from any recognized university or theological college or seminary which is either affiliated with a Nigerian university at the degree level or accredited by the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) or any candidate with equivalent qualification(s) from outside Nigeria. Admission into all master’s programs is monthly, except the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, which has been upgraded to include a Fast Track option of 2 years (January, April, July and October) in addition to the Regular 3 years January and July contacts depending on availability.
Candidates are required to write entrance examinations and must fulfil all general and departmental requirements. Also, they are required to fulfil the following:
1. Purchase and complete Application Forms
2. Provide an official transcript of previous academic work
3. Provide three letters of recommendation from the following: one from the candidate’s denominational leader; one from a former professor/instructor; and one from a professional colleague
4. Write a biographical essay (not less than 500 words) on their lives before and after conversion and their call to ministry.
5. Attend and pass an oral interview
Preferences for admission will be given to those holding accredited Bachelor’s degrees in religion or theology. Candidate(s) with first degrees in non-religious areas may be admitted into WATS’ Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, or Master of Arts in Christian Education. A Bachelor’s degree in education will be an added advantage for a Master of Arts in Christian Education.
