Master’s Preparatory Program

Purpose

The MA/MDiv Preparatory Program is designed for individuals with proven ministry experience who have completed a certain level of post-secondary studies but not a university degree, and serve in contexts where a Master-level degree would enhance their ministry. It aims to prepare individuals and enable the school to assess their suitability to do a Master-level program at EAST. Applicants who successfully complete the program and are deemed suitable by an evaluation committee may begin a Master-level program at EAST’s resident school in Singapore. 

Target Group

The MA/MDiv Preparatory Program is meant for individuals with proven ministry experience who have completed a certain level of post-secondary studies but not a university degree and wish to enter a Masters-level degree program at EAST’s resident school in Singapore to enhance their ministry back in their own contexts and culture. 

Singaporean applicants must have successfully completed the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level or earned a Polytechnic diploma (or equivalent, e.g. an IB diploma). International applicants must have completed a post-secondary studies or equivalent approved by the EAST Academics Office. 

All applicants must have a minimum of two years full-time ministry experience or five years of active lay-ministry experience. 

Admissions Requirements

Individuals applying for the MA/MDiv Preparatory Program must follow the usual EAST application process and meet the MA/MDiv Preparatory Program admission standards. These are stated in the “Admissions” section of this Prospectus. Additional admissions information for international students is explained in the “International Students” section of the Prospectus. 

Applicants need to pass an interview meeting. They may also be required to submit artefacts to demonstrate their current ministry competency and potential for academic studies. Examples of artefacts include video recordings of sermons preached or Bible study class taught in the last six months, or articles published in a Christian magazine or website in the last twelve months. 

Program Explanation

International students whose EPT scores done at EAST’s resident school in Singapore during their Aleph or orientation weeks do not meet the minimum standard set by EAST Academic Office will be required to attend only Academic English classes for one semester first. After they have completed the Academic English classes, they will then be allowed to begin the preparatory program courses in the following semester. 

1st Semester 2nd Semester
AD502 Reading, Writing, & Critical Thinking 3 BS413 Biblical Foundations 2  3
BS412 Biblical Foundations 1 3 TS410 Theological Foundations  3
TS532 Spiritual Life & Transformation 3 IS510 World Missions 2
Emphasis Course  3 Emphasis Course  3
AD530 Mentoring Group 1  1 AD530 Mentoring Group 2 1
TOTAL 13 TOTAL 12

Emphasis Courses

Six (6) credits of emphasis courses may be selected from courses offered in Biblical Studies (BS, OT, NT) or Theological Studies (TS). 

Course Description Information

For further information and description of each of the courses, refer to the appropriate section of the “Course Descriptions” section of this Prospectus. 

Time Limit for Program Completion

International applicants must complete the program within 1 year from the time they begin taking the program courses. Singaporean and Permanent Resident applicants may take up to 1.5 years to complete the program. 

Those who do not fulfil all these completion requirements or who decide not to pursue their studies at EAST will not be allowed to begin a Master-level program at EAST. They may be given a certificate to recognize the courses they have taken and completed here.

Program Completion Requirements

The following are requirements in order to complete this program to qualify for admission to a Master-level program at EAST:

  • Completion of all coursework (25 credits) with a minimum grade of B- in every course in the program 
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher 
  • Demonstrate character and attitude appropriate for an EAST student
  • Approval by an evaluation committee 
  • Payment of all fees