MA in Baptistic Histories and Theologies Thank you for your enquiry about the IBTS Centre Amsterdam MA in Baptistic Histories and Theologies. The IBTS Centre supports research and practice for teaching, ministry, and mission. It offers theological education with a baptistic emphasis in an international context but focussed on local application. To study with the IBTS Centre Amsterdam is to study in the heart of the city of Baptist beginnings. We aspire to provide all students with a good learning experience that will enhance their ministry and mission and provide for those who want a good basis for further postgraduate research work at PhD level in the areas of baptistic histories and theologies. There is a lot of information here and if you require clarification or help please contact me: Stuart Blythe IBTS Centre Rector and MA Programme Leader: blythe@ibts.eu If you wish to apply please download and complete our application form and return it to blythe@ibts.eu or administrator@ibts.eu. Programme Structure: The IBTS Centre Amsterdam offers a MA in Baptistic Histories and Theologies as an approved partner of the University of Manchester. This MA can be taken full-time in one year or more usually between 2 and 5 years part time. The degree consists of two parts: Part 1: involves 120 Credits made up of units which are delivered through intensive teaching blocks and distance learning with the support of online materials. During this part participants are expected to take two core introductory units: Interpretations: Bible, Theology and Society (15 credits) Critical Thinking and Research Methodologies (15 credits) Participants then choose to follow one of three possible lines of interest: Applied Theology or Baptist and Anabaptist Studies or. Each of these streams of interest has a required core unit and two elective units. In addition participants take a core unit from one other area in order to give them a breadth of experience in addition to their area of specific interest (see Figure 1 below) When students successfully complete Part 1 they can move on to Part 2. Part 2: involves 60 Credits. These are achieved through writing a Dissertation in an area of their choice. Students are expected to participate in a Dissertation Seminar in preparation for this and will be given supervisory support in the preparation of a project and during the process of writing. This dissertation should relate to their chosen area of interest. 1
(Figure 1) Programme Diagram Study Track / Total Credits Interpretations: Bible, Theology and Society (15 credits) Critical Thinking and Research Methodologies (15 credits) Applied Theology Baptist and Anabaptist Studies Joint Core Interpretations: Bible, Theology and Society Critical Thinking and Research Methodologies 30 Credits Specific Core 15 Credits Baptistic Theological Perspectives The Origins and Early History of Anabaptism Introduction to Additional Core Unit 15 credits You take a core unit from one of the two tracks in which you are not majoring: Applied Theology: The Origins and Early History of Anabaptism OR Introduction to Baptist and Anabaptist Studies: Baptistic Theological Perspectives OR Introduction to : Baptistic Theological Perspectives OR The Origins and Early History of Anabaptism Specific Electives 60 credits 60 credits from list of Applied Theology courses below 60 credits from list of BAS courses below 60 credits from list of courses below The Elective units available in each area are as follows: Applied Theology Baptistic Theological Perspectives (Required for AT track 15 credits) Christian Learning and Leadership 2
Church and the Environment Faith and Reason in Contemporary Society Homiletics and Communication Practical Ministry in the Church Today (Ministerial Formation) Spiritual Formation The Church and Social Ethics Types of Systematic Theologies Youth Ministry and Faith Development Baptist and Anabaptist Studies The Origins and Early History of Anabaptism (Required for BAS track 15 credits) Anabaptist / Baptist Theology of the Church Anabaptists, Authority and the Bible Baptist Origins and Development in Europe Introduction to (Required for CM track 15 credits) Christian Presence and Witness among Muslims Churches Encountering in Mission Practice of Mission & Evangelism Theology of Mission Not all units are delivered at the same time and this can be subject to negotiation and interest. NB: It is possible to enter this programme with a Post Graduate Certificate (60 credits) or Post Graduate Diploma (120 credits) as your intended goal. Contact for further details. 3
Delivery IBTS Centre Amsterdam delivers its units three times a year. The basic pattern is that the introductory core units plus some electives are delivered in August/September, the core units for each area of interest and some electives are delivered in November, and elective units are delivered in January/February. Participants can choose to come from between a week to two weeks at any one time in order to attend the teaching of the units they desire. They then go and complete the work supported by online resources. The two initial core units are delivered morning and afternoon of the same week over a 5 day period Mon-Friday. Mon-Friday intensive teaching and follow up supported learning using online resources is the normal pattern for all units. Fee Structure Application/Registration fee with IBTS Centre Amsterdam: 200 (non-returnable and due at point of acceptance) Teaching Fees: 7500 The teaching fees include your registration with the University of Manchester, course handbooks, teaching materials, teaching, and supervision. You will be expected to pay 1500 when you begin your first unit and the rest can be paid in instalments over the course of your study. A payment plan will be agreed when you begin. Failure to maintain agreed payments can lead to an increase in fees or expulsion from the programme. No one will be able to complete the course until all fees are paid. Participants are also responsible for their own travel, food, insurance, accommodation and other living costs while in Amsterdam although IBTS Centre will try and advise on best options. At present IBTS Centre Amsterdam, has no additional scholarships or bursaries which it can offer towards this programme but will seek to co-operate operate with any bursary providers who require information. Admission Requirements Candidates should normally have the equivalent of a British Upper Second Class Honours degree in a related subject area. In certain circumstances prior experience germane to the programme, such as pastoral or ministerial engagement in a baptistic Christian community, or successful completion of an 4
undergraduate degree in another discipline, such as history, philosophy or the social sciences can be taken into account. Please contact for further information. Language of Study The language of study is English. All candidates must, if required, provide proof of English language capability, having achieved the Advanced Cambridge Certificate, or appropriate IELTS results, (7.0 overall with writing at least 7.0) or have an official TOEFL score of internet-based minimum 100, computer-based minimum 250 or paper-based minimum 600. Contact: IBTSC Amsterdam The Baptist House Postjesweg 175 1062 JN Amsterdam Netherlands Tel: 0031 2021 030 25 for further detailed information or an application form. 5