Karnataka Theological College offers the following internal courses of the Senate of Serampore College (University):
4 year B.D. Degree in both Kannada and English medium. Basic qualification: a degree from a recognized University.
5 year B.D. Degree (basic qualification: PUC or +2 class) in Kannada Medium
The BD degree programme is the basic theological programme of the Senate of Serampore College (University). The BD programme is meant to prepare theological graduates who are competent and articulate in theological discourses, as well as mature in Christian spirituality when it comes to its core expressions like discipleship, transformed life-style, prayer, preaching, sharing the hope we have in Christ, pastoral care and counseling. It is intended to instill and cultivate good moral values and life-style in the lives of the students. Character building is also an essential part of theological education. The degree programme attempts to inculcate a sense of commitment and integrity in the students. The BD degree programme is a theological training programme for social transformation.
The Objectives of the BD Degree programme are to:
Develop values of the “reign of God” and enhance the ‘New Creation’ witness (with special reference to Justice, Peace and Integrity of all Creation) in society.
Create critical consciousness and openness, to analyze cultural, social, economic, political and ecclesiastical values.
Provide tools for interpreting the Word of God in different contexts in society.
Enable persons to become effective witnesses in the context of their varied and diversified vocations.
Provide theological education as a transforming influence in personal, ecclesial and societal life.
Provide enough opportunity for the development of personal and community centered devotional and spiritual formation.
A candidate at the time of admission to the B.D. degree course must satisfy one of the following conditions. S/he should be:
A holder of the Bachelor Degree from a recognized Indian University, or its recognized equivalent degree. (S/he would be admitted into the second year of the degree programme).
A holder of the B.Th. degree of the Senate of Serampore College having passed the two qualifying English papers
Category I: B.Th. degree holders in the first or second class would be admitted to the fourth year of the degree programme.
Category II: B.Th. degree holders in the third class would be admitted into the third year of the degree programme.
A candidate who has passed PUC/10 plus two examination and is qualified to be admitted to a degree course of an Indian university, shall be admitted to the first year of the degree programme.
Entrance Test
The College will conduct an Entrance Test for the admission of candidates in the areas of English Language, Scripture Knowledge and General Knowledge, as well as a personal interview before granting admission.The entrance tests and personal interview are held normally during the 3rd week of April.
Point of Entry
A candidate at the time of admission should have completed 18 years of age having passed the Entrance Test conducted by the College.
Conditions for Admission
Only those candidates who have a definite call to the Christian Ministry and who are duly recommended by their church/Diocese/Conference/ Organization will be eligible for admission.
At the time of admission into the College, the selected candidates should produce the original copy of the Degree, P.U.C. and S.S.L.C. certificates, original copy of the Migration Certificate and medical certificate of fitness from the Superintendent of one of the Mission Hospitals in Karnataka.
Four copies of passport size photos should be attached.
A satisfactory certificate of character from his/her appropriate church authorities.
Those CSI members in Karnataka who wish to join as the sponsored candidates of their respective diocese should provide the sponsorship letters of their respective diocese along with the resolution of the Ministerial/Executive Committees before the selection of the candidates.
The selected candidates should pay their fees by 31st May. Final admission letters will be sent only after the payment of the fees. Payment of fees in installment may be considered on special request.
The Academic year for the BD degree course is from June to April. Application for registration must be made in the appropriate form obtainable from the Registrar of the College. An applicant must provide:
Attested copies of academic certificates or certified copies of academic transcripts.
Migration certificate from the university last attended/School leaving certificate.
Certificate of birth or other acceptable evidence of date of birth.
A satisfactory certificate of character from his/her appropriate church authorities.
Any additional information and references that may be considered desirable in support of his/her application.
Registration of students pursuing academic programme in other university/institutions shall be cancelled.
The B.D. degree course will be of 5 years duration for the 10+2 candidates, 4 years for the graduates, and two or three years, as the case may be, for B.Th. graduates of the Senate of Serampore College, from the date of registration. The maximum time allowed to complete the degree is 7/6/4 (as applied) years respectively for the above-mentioned categories of candidates.
Writing of a thesis is expected of all candidates of the B.D. Course. Exemptions from writing the thesis may be granted by the College faculty. In such cases candidates shall be required to pass two full course papers in lieu of thesis.
Field Education (practical work) shall be an integral part of theological training in which faculty and students will be actively involved. Two kinds of field education are envisaged: concurrent and intensive. The concurrent field education is primarily concerned with the ministerial formulation. The intensive field education is concerned with exposure and involving in socio-political issues. The programme is divided as follows:
Under the yearlong concurrent practical training students will be deputed to different churches where they will involve themselves in Sunday School, Youth/men/women fellowships.
Ecumenical exposures among Christian communities, with people of other faiths, exposure to cooperative movements, women societies, cultural festivals etc.
Exposure to new social movements, praxis oriental NGOs etc.
Engaging in frontier ministries like living with the communities in struggle, conflicts, marginalized communities, people affected hard realities of life, and understand ministry in relation to such communities, understand God in their experiences.
The intensive practical work is conducted between the semester break
Those who fail in more than two papers, including referred ones will not be allowed to continue their studies in the College.
During the final year each student is deputed under a senior pastor in a church to fully involve and assist the pastors of the church. The pastors provide opportunities for preaching, conducting services, pastoral visits, being observers in the Pastorate Committee meetings and general body meetings. The students are also expected to observe and learn as to how the sacraments are celebrated. The students also gain knowledge of church administration. The whole year’s programme is called “under the shadow of a pastor.”
Field education shall be given credit, not merely in terms of number of hours, but in terms of the different kinds of practical work done: rural, urban, church-related, inter-faith, social action/reform movements, etc.
The KTC Faculty has set down the following guidelines for promotion subject to revision from time to time.
Candidates must show signs of their commitment and call to ministry by putting real effort in their studies and field education (practical work). Stewardship responsibility and inter-personal relationship in the community life are some of the other areas which they should be concerned with.
Those who fail in more than two papers, including referred ones will not be allowed to continue their studies in the College.
If a candidate, whose performance in the College proves to be good throughout the academic year, is hindered from appearing for the final examination due to some unprecedented genuine reasons, the Faculty will decide upon the merit of the individual case when such cases occur.
Candidates who have done residential study in the College and fulfilled the requirements laid down by the college are eligible to get the college Diploma.
They should pass in all subjects examined by the College. This includes the thesis or 4 papers in lieu of the thesis. However, if a candidate fails in only one paper, the Faculty may consider his/her case.
Successful completion of the Homiletics course, including the practical worship services is a prior requisite for the Diploma.
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