DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (Dip.T.S.)

a.	PURPOSES OF THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
	The primary purposes of the Dip.T.S. program are to equip persons who seek a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and to help persons who want to understand more clearly God's calling for ordained ministry. The first purpose is met by providing an overview of Christian teaching while, at the same time, allowing students the flexibility to pursue in depth individual interests in the area of Biblical knowledge, theology, spirituality and Christian leadership. The second purpose is met by providing the opportunity for learners either for a year or for another specific period of time fully to participate in the life of the LTS community. This program can also help the spouses of our students to assist in ministry. They can enroll in this program while accompanying their families.
b.	PRIMARY GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
	Primary goals for this program include:
	(1)	Growth in personal and spiritual maturity and in the ability to be a witness for Christ in this World;
	(2)	Study of the prerequisite courses in theological studies;
	(3)	Preparation for lay ministries in the church.
c.	REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
	Admission to this program normally requires six years of study in secondary school from an institution recognized by LTS. Learners should have the interests, aptitudes, and personal qualities necessary for this degree.
d.	CONTENT
	1.	The primary emphasis of this program will be integrating theology into the whole life of the learner.
	2.	The learners in this program study the same courses as the B.Th. students but without the requirements of biblical languages and supervised ministry Experience.
	3.	In addition to course work, learners are required to participate in a small group integrative seminar offered in the second semester of their study.
e.	COURSES REQUIRED
	A.	OLD TESTAMENT	credits
		OT100 Introduction to the Old Testament	3
		Total credits	3
	B.	NEW TESTAMENT	credits
		NT100 Introduction to the New Testament	3
		Total credits	3
	C.	CHURCH HISTORY AND HISTORICAL THEOLOGY	credits
		CH100 Introduction to Church History	3
		Total credits	3
	D.	SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY	credits
		ST100 Introduction to Theology	3
		Total credits	3
	E.	CHRISTIAN EDUCATION	credits
		CE100 Introduction to Christian Education	3
		Total credits	3
	F.	SPIRITUALITY AND WORSHIP	credit
		SW100 Introduction to Spiritual Formation	3
		Total credits	3
	G.	MISSION AND CULTURE	credit
		MC100 Introduction to Missiology	3
		Total credits	3
	H.	LANGUAGES & PRACTICAL TRAINING	credits
		LP100 Guidance to Academic Study and Writing	2
		LP300 Integrative Seminar	3
		Total credits	5
			credits
	Core courses		26
	Electives		4
	Credits Required for Graduation		30
f.	CREDIT HOURS
	Learners cannot take more than 18 credits in each semester or more than 3 credits in each J Term.
g.	RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
	In order to know whether a learner is suitable to seek ordained ministry, it is strongly suggested that the learner be resident in the campus for a year or at least for two weeks.
h.	DURATION
	This program requires one academic year of full-time study or the equivalent. The time allowed for completion of the program on a part-time basis may not exceed three times that of the full-time program.
i.	REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
	In order to earn the Dip.T.S., a learner must complete the required courses for Dip. T.S. with a 1.00 grade point average or above.
j.	LOCATION
	Courses are provided on the main campus and in our extension site so as to provide access to appropriate resources of faculty, library, and a community of peers pursuing similar programs of study. However, not more than one half of the credits can be obtained from the TEE program.
k.	FURTHER STUDY
	If, upon completion of this Diploma Program, a student wishes to apply for B.Th. or B.C.E. degree program, all successfully earned credits will count toward that degree.