1. PURPOSE
1.1 The policy outlines the admission requirements for School of Theology (SOT) courses of study.
2. SCOPE
2.1 All SOT courses of study.
3. POLICY
3.1 SOT seeks to train and raise up pastors and leaders in Asia and in turn, strengthen local churches. SOT courses are tailored for full-time church workers who wish to be equipped with a strong doctrinal foundation, spiritual values and effective ministry skills. It is also open to those in the laity who seek to know and experience God in a deeper way, and to be the expression of God’s glory through their vocations in society. To facilitate students from all walks of life, SOT has established the following:
3.1.1 Minimum admission requirements to ensure applicants are able to meet the academic standard of the courses, and succeed in their studies;
3.1.2 Special admission pathways (offering merit-based considerations, on educational or disadvantage grounds),
3.1.3 Course-specific admission requirements as detailed in the individual courses; and
3.1.4 Original documents (or certified copies) may be requested in the case of degree testamurs and/or transcripts, related academic awards, and, where relevant, character references and testimonials from church leaders.
3.2 Minimum Admission Requirements:
Applicants have to meet the following criteria:
3.2.1 Be at least 16 years old at the time of application. Those age below 21 (as at date of official commencement) must provide proof of parental consent, and
3.2.2 Relevant educational background or work and life experience:
(1) Educational background: Applicants have achieved a minimum of a GCE ‘O’ Level certificate or its equivalent, or
(2) Work and life experience: Applicants aged 21 or above must possess a minimum of 3 years of work experience that contributes directly to the acquisition of skills, abilities, and knowledge necessary for successful tertiary study.
3.3 Course Specific Requirements:
3.3.1 Diploma of Ministry:
(1) For City Harvest Church (CHC) members:
a) Must have recommendation from your Cell Group Leader.
b) Must be attending Cell Group and Service regularly for at least a year.
c) Must be an Ordinary Member (OM) and above.
d) Must pass an entrance interview with a CHC pastor or pastoral staff.
(2) For non-CHC members:
a) Must have recommendations from 2 pastors or senior leaders.
b) Must be a member (at least 1 year) in good standing with his/her Church.
c) Must pass an entrance interview. The entrance interview is conducted by a CHC pastor or SOT staff to ascertain the student’s suitability to the SOT course of study.
3.3.2 Associate Degree in Ministry:
(1) Applicant is required to have obtained SOT’s Advanced Certificate of Theology or Diploma of Ministry; and
(2) Applicant is not in debt to the School.
3.3.3 Bachelor of Theology:
(1) Applicant is required to have obtained the SOT’s Advanced Certificate of Theology or Diploma of Ministry and Associate Degree in Ministry; and
(2) Applicant is not in debt to the School.
3.4 Alternative Admissions Requirement:
3.4.1 An applicant’s admission requirements may be reconsidered on educational disadvantage grounds if the applicant meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) socioeconomic reasons (such as low-family income or poor living conditions);
(2) language difficulties;
(3) learning difficulties;
(4) disrupted schooling;
(5) physical disability;
(6) serious family illness;
(7) excessive family responsibility;
(8) geographical isolation of home and/or school and lack of support, time or facilities for study at home or school;
(9) home schooling and with evidence of being able to manage tertiary study;
(10) awaiting the release of their GCE ‘O’ Level (or its equivalent) results.
3.5 Refusal Of Admission:
3.5.1 Admission may be refused if the applicant:
(1) Has been previously enrolled in SOT but failed to graduate due to academic misconduct or disciplinary action,
(2) Has been excluded from another institute for reasons of unsatisfactory progress or reasons of discipline,
(3) Is deemed to be unlikely to cope academically, or if the application form or personal references indicate that the applicant is likely to struggle with SOT coursework, school life or discipline, and
(4) Is unable to provide proof of financial ability or support throughout the SOT course period.
3.6 Language Proficiency:
3.6.1 All SOT courses are primarily conducted in English. Some courses will have interpretation into other languages. Students are expected to be proficient in either English or one of the available translated languages for the course of study.
4. PROCEDURES
4.1 Application Process for Advanced Certificate of Theology:
4.1.1 The application form must be completely filled. All questions are to be answered as explicitly as possible within the spaces provided.
4.1.2 SOT will email the applicant’s two Recommenders to submit an online Recommendation Form. Both Recommenders have to endorse the applicant and submit the form, before the applicant’s entrance interview is scheduled. Where either Recommender does not endorse the applicant, the application will be rejected.
4.1.3 The applicant’s photograph and Passport biodata page (for international students) / NRIC (for Singaporean students) must be uploaded on the Application form. Forms without photographs and Passport biodata page/NRIC will not be accepted.
4.1.4 A copy of applicant’s certificate and result transcript of highest standard passed will also need to be uploaded.
4.1.5 Registration fee should be paid in full. Students unable to make online payments will clear the registration fee upon commencement of course.
4.1.6 Applicants will be contacted for an entrance interview with a CHC pastor or SOT staff.
4.1.7 Once the interview has been conducted and all relevant documents submitted, the application will be processed and the applicant informed via email of the outcome of the application within 7 to 14 working days.
4.2 Appeal Process for Rejected Applicants
4.2.1 Applicants are to email SOT to start the appeal process.
4.2.2 The Dean of Students will consider the reasons for the applicant’s rejection, and if there is a change in circumstances, the processing of the application may be allowed to resume.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 The SOT Dean of Students is responsible for implementing this policy.
6. FORMS & RECORDS
6.1 All forms and records should be retained for archival purposes, or for a minimum of five years, whichever is longer. This is consistent with CHC’s document retention policy.
Retention Period
Application Form 10 years
Recommendation Form 10 years