The following are the requirements, eligibility and qualifications to consider before applying for admission into the Good News Theological Seminary.
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY
The Bachelor of Theology is a Full-time program that equips students with the requisite academic skills to engage in life-long, reflective theological practice. It is an in-depth exploration of the Scripture and theology as applicable to the context in which the student lives and works.
This is normally a four – year program. However, students who meet the entry requirements and have a pass in Religious Knowledge (WAEC or equivalent) as well as students who have completed a 2-year Diploma in Pastoral Ministry from GNTS or other equivalent accredited institutions may apply for direct entry into Level 200 (Year 2). The program runs over two semesters of 16 weeks each, beginning in August and ending in May of the following year. The program is accredited by the National Accreditation Board of the Ministry of Education, Ghana.
GOOD NEWS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Educational Requirements: GCE Holders
a) GCE ‘A’ level – 3 Passes.
b) GCE ‘O’ level – 5 Credits including English Language and Mathematics.
2. WASSS / SSS Certificate holders
Applicants must have obtained:
a) Passes in Core English, Core Mathematics, and Core Social Studies or Core Integrated Science, plus
b) Passes in any three (3) Elective Subjects in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) or West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with an aggregate score for the core and elective subjects of not more than 24.
3. Other Applicants
Applicants holding the following qualifications can apply for consideration:
- Diploma from Good News Theological Seminary or from other accredited Theological institutions with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.50, providing they have obtained passes in GCE ‘O’ Level/ WASSCE/SSSCE Mathematics and English.
- Post-Secondary Teacher Training Certificate from a recognized institution, providing they have obtained passes in GCE ‘O’ Level/ WASSCE/SSSCE Mathematics and English.
- Students with Technical School Education will be considered on a case-by-case basis, providing they have obtained passes in GCE ‘O’ Level/ WASSCE/SSSCE Mathematics and English.
- External qualifications other than the West African Examination Council, once equivalence has been determined, providing they have obtained passes in Mathematics and English.
Mature Students
- Applicants, who have attained a minimum age of 25 years and do not satisfy the approved educational requirements for admission but have at least 3 years’ experience in full-time pastoral work and show aptitude for academic study, will be allowed to apply for Mature Student entry. Such applicants will be required to show passes in WASSCE/ SSSCE English Language and Mathematics or GCE ‘O’ Level English and Mathematics and will be required to write the Mature Students’ Entrance Examination in Mathematics, English Language and General Paper. Applicants who score an overall grade of ‘C’ in the Entrance Examination will be invited for interview and admitted if deemed suitable.
Such applicants must obtain a CGPA of 2.50 in the first year and must demonstrate potential for improvement
DIPLOMA IN PASTORAL MINISTRY
This is a two-year program designed for school leavers who do not meet the entry requirements for the B.Th. It may be taken as preparation for the B.Th. (see above) or it may be taken on its own as preparation for pastoral ministry. The program runs over two semesters of 17 weeks each, beginning in August and ending in May of the following year. The program is accredited by the National Accreditation Board of the Ministry of Education, Ghana.
Educational Requirements:
1. All applicants for the Diploma in Pastoral Ministry must be in possession of a WASSS/SSS Certificate of Education with passes in English and Mathematics, or 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes including Mathematics and English or meet the criteria for Mature Entry.
2. To be eligible for Mature Entry, the applicant must have attained a minimum of 25 years, worked for a minimum of three years in church/religious organization, obtained a pass of 45 {508970d6e0416f36a2d25fd83ae6be1077af983407cd2381e4e8f36ae7e6a82e} or more in the Entrance Exam in Bible Knowledge administered by GNTS, completed one of the following: Post-Secondary Teacher Training Certificate, GNTS Certificate of Ministry or comparable certificate from a NAB accredited institution and, if he/she does not possess them, he/she must obtain passes in WAEC Mathematics and English.
3. All those admitted into the first year must obtain a CGPA of 2.50 in the first year to progress to the second year.
Mature Students
- Applicants, who have attained a minimum age of 25 years and do not satisfy the approved educational requirements for admission but have at least 3 years’ experience in full-time pastoral work and show aptitude for academic study, will be allowed to apply for Mature Student entry. Such applicants will be required to show passes in WASSCE/ SSSCE English Language and Mathematics or GCE ‘O’ Level English and Mathematics and will be required to write the Mature Students’ Entrance Examination in Bible Knowledge. Applicants who score an overall grade of ‘C’ in the Entrance Examination will be invited for interview and admitted if deemed suitable.
Such applicants must obtain a CGPA of 2.50 in the first year and must demonstrate potential for improvement
WEEK-END INTENSIVE PROGRAMME
Both the Bachelor of Theology (4 years) and the Diploma in Pastoral Ministry (2 years) are available as intensive, weekend courses. The programs are run at the GNTS campus on Fridays from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. The programs run over three semesters a year; beginning in August and ending in July of the following year. The entry requirements, accreditation, content of the curriculum and assessment procedures are similar to the full-time program.
Admission Requirements
Same as the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Theology and the Diploma in Pastoral Ministry programs.
ACCESS PROGRAMME
This is a one year intensive program designed for students without the educational background necessary for admission as a Mature Student into the Diploma in Pastoral Ministry. A three semester course, it covers the esentials in English and Mathematics leading to the WAEC examinations. It also covers basic theological subjects in preparation for the Mature Student’s entrance examination. The program runs from August to July the following year.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have had a minimum of three years’ secondary school
- They must be not less than 25 years of age.
- They must have been in regular pastoral ministry for at least three years.
CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY
Students without the educational qualifications to enter the accredited courses, who either do not qualify for the Access Program or who only require a short introductory course, may apply for a one-year Certificate issued by Good News Theological Seminary. The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry provides a thorough grounding in Bible, theology, mission and ministry in the African context, upon which a future ministry can be built. It raises the educational level of the learner. The course runs over two semesters of 17 weeks each, beginning in August and ending in May of the following year.
Admission Requirements
All applicants for the Certificate of Pastoral Ministry must have completed primary school.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Theological Education by Extension (TEE)
The TEE program is designed to bring biblical and theological education directly to leaders and members of local churches. Courses are offered both in English and local languages. Contact the college for further details.
Admission Requirements
Participants must be literate
Church Leadership Seminars
Church Leadership Seminars are organized for leaders of churches in a particular neighborhood. They are ecumenical in nature. The objective is to sharpen the ministerial skills and gifts of church leaders by comparing notes and having deeper insights into ministerial challenges. The Seminars are organized on request. Contact the seminary for further details.
Admission Requirements
Participants must be literate.
Periodic Short-term Training Programs
Short-term courses are organized periodically for workers, leaders and groups of various churches. Some of the courses are: Youth and Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Mission and Evangelism, Pastoral Studies, Bible Surveys or other areas of interest to the churches. Contact the seminary for further details.
Admission Requirements
Participants must be literate.
Spiritual Formation
Maintaining spirituality along with intellectualism has been a big challenge to many intellectuals. More often than not many people complain that many Christians who have had higher education have lost their spiritual steam. The Good News Theological Seminary, being aware of this challenge, trains students to maintain a balance between spirituality and intellectualism.
Measures used are:
1. Daily worship – thrice each day (from Monday to Friday) – 5:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The worship service at 11:00 a.m. is attended by students, staff and Faculty.
2. The Lord’s Supper – It is administered on Wednesdays at the 11:00 a.m. service. Students approach the day with self-examination and confession of sins. Ministers of God from various denominations are usually invited to preach on Wednesdays.
3. Religious Experiences – Once every month a pastor is invited to share his/her life story and ministerial experiences to the students and staff.
4. Mentorship – Groups of students are scheduled to meet a mentor. Matters of mutual interests, personal challenges and other non-academic issues are treated at meetings between mentors and students. The lecturers are the mentors.
5. Chaplaincy – The Chaplain counsels and instruct students on some matters that either inhibit or stagnate spiritual growth.
6. Personal spirituality – Besides all these, students are encouraged to personally study the Bible and meditate on the Word of God daily.
7. Ministerial Outreach – Every year arrangements are made some African Independent Churches to host students for a period. During that period the students teach, counsel, preach, lead worship services, and exercise their spiritual gifts. The host ministers who act as overseers advise the students and submit reports to the seminary after the program.