- Qualification
- Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
- Faculty
- Faculty of Theology
- Duration
- Three (3) Years
- Credit value
- 180 ECTS
- Study mode
- Full-Time, Part-Time, Online and Distance Learning
- NQF equivalent
- Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree
Programme Description
Scholarship, formation and ministry together
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) at ICOF Global University is a comprehensive undergraduate degree designed to prepare students for Christian ministry, biblical scholarship, theological research, leadership, missions, chaplaincy, Christian education, and community transformation. The programme combines rigorous academic study with spiritual formation and practical ministry, enabling graduates to understand the Christian faith from biblical, historical, theological, pastoral, and missiological perspectives.
The curriculum is grounded in the authority of the Holy Scriptures and seeks to develop students who are biblically knowledgeable, spiritually mature, intellectually competent, ethically responsible, and mission-oriented. Throughout the programme, students are introduced to the historical, literary, cultural, and theological foundations of Christianity while also engaging contemporary issues facing the global Church.
Unlike many traditional theology programmes that focus exclusively on Western theological traditions, the Bachelor of Theology at ICOF Global University embraces the global nature of Christianity. Students explore African Theology, Contextual Theology, Global Christianity, Biblical Theology, Church History, Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology, Missiology, Leadership Studies, Pastoral Care, and Christian Education. The programme recognizes the tremendous growth of Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and equips students to minister effectively within diverse cultural contexts.
Particular emphasis is placed upon the integration of theological knowledge with practical ministry. Students participate in supervised ministry placements, evangelistic outreaches, preaching laboratories, teaching practice, leadership development, and community engagement projects. These experiences enable students to translate classroom learning into effective ministry skills.
The programme also develops students’ research abilities through progressive courses in academic writing, research methodology, biblical interpretation, and theological inquiry. During the final year, every student undertakes an independent research thesis under faculty supervision, demonstrating competence in theological investigation and scholarly writing.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Theology will possess a broad understanding of Christian doctrine, biblical interpretation, church history, Christian leadership, and pastoral ministry. They will be prepared to serve as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian educators, chaplains, ministry leaders, church administrators, and researchers. The programme also provides an excellent academic foundation for postgraduate studies including the Master of Theology (M.Th.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Theology, and Doctoral programmes.
Philosophy of the Programme
What the degree is founded upon
The Bachelor of Theology is founded upon the conviction that all truth originates in God and that Holy Scripture is the inspired, authoritative, and trustworthy revelation of God for faith, life, and ministry. The programme affirms Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Head of the Church. It recognizes the Holy Spirit as the divine teacher who empowers believers for holy living, ministry, and mission.
The programme seeks to unite academic excellence with spiritual formation. Theology is not viewed merely as an academic discipline but as the study of God that transforms both the mind and the character of the learner. Students are encouraged to develop intellectual competence, spiritual maturity, ethical integrity, servant leadership, and compassionate ministry.
The curriculum reflects the belief that Christian theology must engage both the historical foundations of the faith and the contemporary realities of society. Students therefore examine biblical texts within their historical and cultural contexts while also considering the challenges of globalization, secularization, poverty, injustice, technological advancement, interreligious dialogue, environmental stewardship, and cultural diversity.
The programme also recognizes that Christianity is a global faith expressed through many cultures. Consequently, students are introduced to theological voices from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America, enabling them to appreciate both the unity and diversity of the worldwide Church.
Programme Aims
The Bachelor of Theology seeks to
- Provide a comprehensive understanding of the Old and New Testaments.
- Equip students with sound knowledge of Christian doctrine based upon biblical teaching.
- Develop competence in biblical interpretation using accepted hermeneutical principles.
- Prepare students for pastoral ministry, evangelism, missions, teaching, chaplaincy, and Christian leadership.
- Cultivate spiritual maturity through worship, discipleship, prayer, and Christian service.
- Introduce students to the historical development of Christianity from the apostolic period to the contemporary Church.
- Equip students to address contemporary theological, ethical, and social issues from a biblical perspective.
- Develop effective communicators of God’s Word through preaching and teaching.
- Prepare graduates for postgraduate theological studies and lifelong learning.
- Promote servant leadership that reflects the character and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Old and New Testaments.
- Interpret biblical texts using historical, grammatical, literary, and theological methods.
- Explain major Christian doctrines and their biblical foundations.
- Evaluate the historical development of Christian theology and the Church.
- Apply biblical principles to pastoral ministry, leadership, missions, counseling, and Christian education.
- Conduct independent theological research using appropriate academic methodologies.
- Communicate biblical truth effectively through preaching, teaching, writing, and discipleship.
- Analyze contemporary theological, ethical, and cultural issues from a Christian worldview.
- Demonstrate leadership characterized by integrity, humility, accountability, and service.
- Engage constructively with people from different cultural, social, and religious backgrounds.
Programme Structure
180 ECTS over three years
Six semesters of 30 ECTS each. Detailed course listings are published semester by semester as each is validated by the Faculty of Theology.
| Year | Semester | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | Semester One | 6 | 30 |
| Year One | Semester Two | 6 | 30 |
| Year Two | Semester Three | 6 | 30 |
| Year Two | Semester Four | 6 | 30 |
| Year Three | Semester Five | 6 | 30 |
| Year Three | Semester Six | 6 | 30 |
| Total | 36 | 180 | |
Course Listing
Thirty-six courses
Six courses per semester, 5 ECTS each — 30 ECTS a semester, 180 across the degree. Full syllabi — unit-by-unit teaching material, assessment strategy and reading lists — are issued to enrolled students through the student portal.
Semester One
6 courses · 30 ECTSBTH101Introduction to Biblical Studies5 ECTS
15 units
- 01 The Nature of Theology
- 02 Divine Revelation
- 03 The Inspiration of Scripture
- 04 The Canon of Scripture
- 05 Biblical Authority
- 06 Formation of the Old Testament
- 07 Formation of the New Testament
- 08 Biblical Geography and Archaeology
- 09 The Cultural Context of the New Testament
- 10 The Gospels and the Old Testament
- 11 Pauline Theology
- 12 Biblical Hermeneutics and Interpretation
- 13 Biblical Theology
- 14 Scripture, Doctrine, and Christian Ministry
- 15 Global and Contextual Interpretation of Scripture
BTH102Bible Survey I5 ECTS
14 units
- 01 Introduction to the Old Testament
- 02 The Book of Genesis
- 03 Abraham and the Covenant Promise
- 04 Moses, the Exodus, and the Covenant at Sinai
- 05 The Books of the Law
- 06 Joshua: Entering the Promised Land
- 07 Judges: The Cycle of Failure and Restoration
- 08 Samuel and the Rise of the Kingdom
- 09 David, the Davidic Covenant, and Messianic Hope
- 10 Solomon, Wisdom, and the Temple
- 11 The Divided Kingdom and the Prophetic Ministry
- 12 Exile, Judgment, and Restoration
- 13 Old Testament Messianic Hope
- 14 Old Testament Theology and Christian Ministry
BTH103Bible Survey II5 ECTS
15 units
- 01 Introduction to the Prophetic Movement
- 02 Isaiah: The Holy King and the Suffering Servant
- 03 Jeremiah: Judgment and the New Covenant
- 04 Ezekiel: The Glory and Restoration of Yahuah
- 05 Daniel: The Kingdom of Yahuah Among the Nations
- 06 Job: Suffering, Faith, and Sovereignty
- 07 Psalms: Worship and Spiritual Life
- 08 Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs
- 09 The Cultural, Historical, and Religious Context of the New Testament
- 10 The Identity of Yahusha the Messiah
- 11 The Kingdom of Yahuah in the Teaching of Yahusha
- 12 The Miracles and Signs of Yahusha
- 13 The Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Yahusha
- 14 The Book of Acts and the Birth of the New Covenant Community
- 15 Pentecost, Mission, Africa, and the Global Expansion of the Assembly
BTH104Bible Doctrine I5 ECTS
15 units
- 01 What is Theology?
- 02 Sources for Theological Reflection
- 03 Revelation and the Word of Yahuah
- 04 The Existence and Nature of Yahuah
- 05 The Triune Nature of Yahuah
- 06 Yahuah as Creator
- 07 The Creation and Identity of Humanity
- 08 Human Dignity, Race, and Identity
- 09 Gender, Community, and Relationship
- 10 Disability Theology and the Image of Yahuah
- 11 The Fall of Humanity and the Corruption of the Image
- 12 Evil, Suffering, and the Problem of Humanity
- 13 Salvation in the Purpose of Yahuah
- 14 Covenant Theology
- 15 Redemption and the Restoration of Creation
- The apostolic assembly
- The Church Fathers
- Persecution under Rome
- The ecumenical councils
- Canon and creeds
- Constantine and the imperial church
- Monasticism
- Early African Christianity: Alexandria, Carthage, Ethiopia
Semester Two
6 courses · 30 ECTS- Pneumatology
- Ecclesiology
- Eschatology
- Angelology
- Demonology
- Spiritual warfare
- Kingdom theology
- Patriarchs
- Exodus
- Israel’s covenant identity
- Kingdom period
- Prophets
- Exile
- Restoration
- Identity of Yahusha
- Messianic prophecy
- Incarnation
- Humanity and divinity
- Kingdom ministry
- African and global interpretations of Yahusha
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Covenant theology
- Torah and Christian theology
- Human personality
- Spiritual formation
- Pastoral relationships
- Emotional maturity
- Family systems
- Conflict resolution
- The medieval church
- The Reformation
- Counter-Reformation
- Revival and awakening movements
- The missionary century
- Colonialism and the African church
- Independent African churches
- The contemporary global church
Semester Three
6 courses · 30 ECTS- Principles of interpretation
- Historical-critical method
- Literary interpretation
- Canonical interpretation
- Contextual interpretation
- African hermeneutics
- Liberation hermeneutics
- Feminist hermeneutics
- Postcolonial interpretation
- Hebrew and Greek background
- Theology of preaching
- Biblical preaching
- Sermon preparation
- Expository preaching
- Prophetic preaching
- Contextual preaching
- Preaching in African churches
- Biblical morality
- Justice
- Human dignity
- Bioethics
- Sexual ethics
- Economic ethics
- Political responsibility
- Teaching ministry
- Discipleship
- Curriculum development
- Adult education
- Children ministry
- Academic research
- Theology research methods
- Citation styles
- Literature review
- Research proposal writing
- The Hebrew alphabet and vowel system
- Nouns and the definite article
- The verbal system: qal perfect and imperfect
- Pronouns and suffixes
- Reading unpointed text
- Lexicons and concordances
- Translating narrative from Genesis
- Hebrew word study for preaching
Semester Four
6 courses · 30 ECTS- Doctrine of Yahuah
- Trinity
- Scripture
- Creation
- Humanity
- Sin
- Revelation
- Pauline theology
- Hebrews
- General Epistles
- New Covenant theology
- Holy Spirit theology
- Gifts of the Spirit
- Pentecostal theology
- Spiritual formation
- Mission empowerment
- Biblical leadership models
- Servant leadership
- Pastoral leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Ethical leadership
- Advanced theological research
- Thesis preparation
- Academic writing
- The Greek alphabet and pronunciation
- Nouns, cases and the article
- Present and aorist verbs
- Participles and infinitives
- Prepositions and conjunctions
- Using lexicons and critical apparatus
- Translating from the Gospel of John
- Greek word study for exegesis
Semester Five
6 courses · 30 ECTS- Pentecost
- Early assembly
- Paul
- Peter
- African Christianity
- Global mission
- Prayer
- Worship
- Holiness
- Character formation
- Discipleship
- Biblical mission
- Historical mission
- Catholic mission
- Protestant mission
- Evangelical mission
- Pentecostal mission
- African mission
- Asian theology
- Latin American theology
- Digital ministry
- Artificial intelligence and theology
- Online churches
- Technology ethics
- Global communication
Semester Six
6 courses · 30 ECTS- Christology
- Salvation
- Ecclesiology
- Eschatology
- African Theology
- Contextual Theology
- Liberation Theology
- Identity and Biblical Interpretation
- Creation theology
- Environmental responsibility
- Climate justice
- African ecological perspectives
- Research proposal
- Literature review
- Methodology
- Thesis writing
- Oral defense
Unit outlines. BTH101 to BTH104 carry their full unit outlines above — expand any of them to see the units. The remaining courses show their indicative content; full unit outlines are released as each syllabus is validated by the Faculty of Theology.
Final Year
Three requirements
- Research Thesis
- Ministry Internship
- Oral Defence
Career Opportunities
Graduates serve as
- Pastors
- Evangelists
- Missionaries
- Christian educators
- Chaplains
- Ministry leaders
- Church administrators
- Researchers
Progression
Postgraduate routes
Also in Theology