Master of Christian Studies
General information about this course
Master of Christian Studies (M. C. S.) is a post-B.C.S/B.D program, primarily meant for laity and Christian ministers who wish to continue theological studies through external programs. It is designed to provide Christian professionals, Church workers and laity with in-depth theological knowledge to facilitate the lay leadership in the church and society. It is a post graduate professional degree course for the laity who cannot enroll for a postgraduate regular course like M. Th. MCS is not equivalent to M. Th, neither will be accepted for teaching in theological Seminaries. M. C. S. is a three year program in which first two years the candidates study the courses and write the examinations while the third year is given for the project work/thesis which is compulsory.
Objectives
The objectives of the programme are:
To provide an opportunity for ongoing learning for spiritual (Both individual and communitarian) and vocational growth of the candidate within his/her context;
To develop necessary skills and tools to understand and interpret the socio-political, religio-cultural context of the Church and society and to identify the issues of the times;
To equip the candidate for rendering services to the Church and society through a particular ministry of his/her choice.
To provide an opportunity to bring about an ongoing integration of theological understanding and practical ministry in varied contexts.
Registration for the Course
Application for registration must be made in the appropriate form obtainable from the Registrar and sent to the Registrar together with the registration fee as indicated in Section 27 below. This must reach the Registrar as stipulated in Section 28. An applicant must provide.
- attested copies of academic certificates or certified copies of academic transcripts
- migration certificate from the university last attended (if not submitted earlier)
- 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
the registration fee must be sent by Demand Draft drawn in favor of “Senate of Serampore College” to reach the Registrar on or before the prescribed date
Migration Certificate
All students registering for Serampore courses are expected to submit migration/school leaving certificate General rules followed are as follows:
Migration certificate from the students who hold degree from secular universities may be exempted by the Senate.
A declaration from all the students who hold a degree from secular institutions that they will not register themselves for any other degree/diploma course with any secular institution/university shall be obtained and submitted to the Senate along with the registration from.
Any student violating this rule shall be liable for disciplinary action amounting to nullifying of Serampore degree of the student
Migration certificate of BTh and BD students who have submitted their school leaving certificate shall be issued by the Senate as per rule
Candidate who lost certificate and require duplicate certificates be required to submit an affidavit signed by a judicial magistrate to that effect and
No duplicate migration certificate shall be issued
External Studies
The M.C.S. degree course is available for external (non-residential) study only through SCEPTRE and colleges affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University), if so permitted.
Medium of Instruction
The medium of study and examination for the degree course is English or any regional language as approved by the Senate
Duration of Study
Minimum time to complete the course shall be three years, and the maximum shall be five years from the time of registration
Mode of Study
Senate will provide the detailed syllabus for the course. The course will start with an orientation seminar, maximum of 10 days in which a group of qualified faculty will deal with the subject related to the course. The second year will start with a seminar on the methodological issues for 10 days. The methodology seminar will provide a basic knowledge of the thesis/dissertation writing and related field. The Seminars will be conducted by the Senate Centre for Extension programs of the Senate of Serampore College (SCEPTRE) or colleges affiliated to Senate of Serampore College. Candidates will be required to attend both the seminars.
Scheme for the Courses at the MCS Level
Candidate shall be required to finish all the course work by the end of second year and third year shall be left for the thesis/dissertation project work
The candidate shall write altogether 10 papers: Five papers on Foundational and Contextual Study Course and Five papers on Specialization Course.
I Year | Foundation and Contextual Courses |
II Year | Courses for specialization |
III Year | Thesis |
Thesis
A candidate may be permitted to write a thesis for the completion of the required courses. s/he should submit the thesis proposal on a prescribed form for approval before the end of the academic year for second year as per the conditions laid down under Part III: Curriculum.
A candidate may permitted to write 2 papers (8 credit courses) in lieu of thesis; and 4 credit courses in lieu of a project
Plagiarism (copying, illegal use of others work, breach of copyright, etc.)
Independent research and writing play a vital part in the course requirements, examinations, thesis and project. Students, therefore, should be aware of the stong sanctions against plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion/cancellation of registration. If anyone has any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials and the works of others, be sure to consult the faculty concerned
Academic System
Academic session for M.C.S. will January to December
Examinations will be held in November-December
February to September is left for orientation seminars, contact classes and collegiums
Examination and Evaluation
Examination and evaluation are conducted by the Senate as per procedures and rules laid down by the Senate.
Examinations will be conducted by the Senate of Serampore College (in the initial years the course shall be directly conducted by the senate) in the month of November/December each year
Each paper, unless otherwise stated is of three hours’ duration and covers the subject matter indicated in the syllabus
- Maximum marks for each paper shall be 100
After registration, application for admission to the examination must be made on the appropriate form obtainable from the Registrar and should reach the same on or before the time prescribed by the Senate. The examination fee, as indicated below, should also be sent to the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College on or before the prescribed date
All the Senate w/College examinations for the M.C.S. degree shall normally be evaluated by two examiners. The Senate will not entertain requests for re-evaluation of any script and/or permit an examination for improvement of grade
A candidate should give an undertaking at the time of registration that s/he will abide by all the rules and regulations of the Senate of Serampore College as applicable to the M.C.S. degree including the decisions of the Senate and its Academic Council
A candidate for the M.C.S. degree will normally appears for the course examination each year according to the sequence given.
Candidate will not receive credit unlessshe/he appears and passes in at least 50% of the courses at each sitting.
A candidate may appear for any referred paper in addition to the papers studied provided he/she does not appear for courses equivalent to 10 course-papers in any year. This rule may not apply to those who have less than five course papers to complete the degree programme
Maximum and minimum number of paper to be taken
A candidate for the MCS degree shall normally appear for five papers. He/she shall not receive credit unless he/she appears at least three courses at each sitting
Centre for Examination
Normally the Serampore College, SCEPTRE and its affiliated Colleges, offering post-graduate level courses,are centres for examinations. A candidate applying for permission to take his/her examination at another affiliated College, must obtain prior consent of the Principal and submit it along with his/her Examination Entry Form to the Registrar
If a candidate wishes to write the examination at any other centre, he/she should seek prior permission from the Registrar submitting a letter from the examination centre consenting to supervise the examination and pay the prescribed fee
Pass and failure in examination
A candidate who fails in any paper or papers is regarded as being “referred” in such paper or papers, and is permitted to offer himself/herself for re-examination in that paper or those papers, or in any other paper or papers that may be substituted in accordance with the Regulations, provided that he/she is able to complete the requirements of the Degree within the time allowed. Any change in the papers already taken but referred must be applied at the time of filling up the examinations entry form
Standard of pass and class
The pass mark in each paper in the examination for MCS Degree course is 40% or C-.
The final grading of candidates will be as follows:
First Class | Second Class | Third Class | Failure |
A+ (80% and above) | B+ (65%) | C+ (50%) | D (30%) |
A (75%) | B (60%) | C (45%) | E (20%) |
A-(70%) | B- (55%) | C- (40%) | F (10%) |
Convocation of Serampore College (University)
The Convocation of Serampore College is conducted by the Council Serampore College, and held annually, generally in the first week of February. Every student who has qualified for the degree is expected to attend the Convocation to receive his/her degree in person from the Master of Serampore College.
Admission Requirements for the MCS degree
A candidate at the time of admission to M. C. S. degree course must satisfy one of the following conditions:
At the time of registration a candidate should have passed BCS, B.D or any degree equivalent to BCS from a university recognized by the Senate of Serampore College.
- The candidate should have a minimum of one year ministerial experience after BCS or B. D.
FEES:
Senate Fee:
Amount
Exam Fee (Per paper) 450/-
Marks fee 250/-
Council Fee 100/-
Late Exam Fee 400/-
Thesis Evaluation Fee 3000/-
Late submission of Thesis within One Year 1500/-
Migration/Equivalent Certificate Fee 300/-
Transcript Fee 350/-
In-absentia Fee 850/-
Duplicate Degree Certificate Fee 2500/-
Urgent Delivery Fee of document 200/-
Graduate Fee 200/-
Provisional Certificate Fee 500/-
Overseas Postage 300/-
Note: All Senate Fee must be sent by Demand Draft in favour of the “Registrar Senate of Serampore College” payable at Serampore/Kolkata to the Registrar, Senate of Serampore college. Fees once paid is not refundable.
Contact Address:
To
The Registrar, Senate of Serampore college
Serampore P.O. 712201
West Bengal
Phone : 033 – 26622692/ 26520432
SCEPTRE FEE:
Application, Regulation & Syllabus (for Direct Student) 500/-
Application, Regulation & Syllabus(for Affiliated Colleges) 450/-
Registration Fee 1200/-
Late Registration Fee 400/-
Contact Seminar Fee (Orientation) 7000/-
Contact Seminar Fee (Research Methodology) 7000/-
Contact Seminar Late Fee 500/-
Extension of time fee 2000/-
SCEPTRE Exam Centre Fee 200/-
Note: All SCEPTRE Fee must be sent by Demand Draft in favour of the “Senate of Serampore College”, payable at Kolkata to the Dean, SCEPTRE. Fees once paid is not refundable.
Contact Address:
To
The Dean
SCEPTRE. Shrachi Centre,
74B, A.J.C. Bose Road,
Kolkata – 700016
Phone No. 033-22177868, 40061805
Email: deansceptre@gmail.com
CURRICULUM
The major components of the course are as follows:
I. Foundational and Contextual Study Course (First Year – 4 credited for each course)
- Spiritual Growth (Individual, Collegial and Communitarian) (801)
- Biblical Understanding of God’s Purpose for Creation, Human Beings… (802)
- Contemporary Issues and Challenges in the Society/World (803)
- A Historico-Critical Analysis of the Church: its structure, worship patterns..(804)
- Towards a Relevant Theological Understanding of the Church, Mission and Ministry (805)
II. Optional Specialization (2nd Year – Choose ONE Area – 4 credited for eachcourse)
Area A: Ministry among Children, youth and Adults
- The Bible and Holistic Child Growth (806)
- Christian Education and Age/stage related Child Growth (807)
- Ministry among the Youth (808)
- Ministry among the Adults (809)
- Christian education for Social Transformation (810)
Area B: Christian Mission in Contemporary Society
- Biblical Understanding of God’s Mission in the World (811)
- Christian Response to Other Faith Traditions in Society (812)
- Mission, Unity and Ecumenism (813)
- Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (814)
- Religious fundamentalism & Conversion in Contemporary India (815)
Area C: The Bible and Contemporary Concerns
- The Bible and Globalization ( 816)
- The Bible and Ecological Concerns (817)
- The Bible and Pluralistic Society (818)
- The Bible, Dalit, Tribals and Poor (819)
- The Bible and Women (820)
Area D: Worship & Church Administration
- Trends in Worship – A Critical Study (821)
- Contemporary Trends in Preaching (822)
- Effective management of People, Program, Finance & Property (823)
- Patterns of Church organization (824)
- Church Law, State Constitution and Legal matters (825)
Area E: Counseling and Spiritual Formation
- Theology & Principle of pastoral Care and Counseling (826)
- Marriage & Family Counseling (827)
- Youth Care and Counseling (828)
- Christian Traditions and Contemporary Spirituality (829)
- Issue-based Spirituality (830)
Area F: Ministry among Vulnerable Communities
- Ministry among Children at Risk (831)
- Embracing Inclusive Community: Disability perspective (832)
- The Church & People Living with AIDS (833)
- Ministry among Victims of Caste (834)
- Ministry among Indigenous Communities (835)
- Ministry among Victims of Patriarchy (836)
III. Thesis OR write 2 papers in lieu of thesis(3RD Year)
Thesis/Dissertation – Submission on 30th November. The thesis shall carry 8 credited.
A candidate may be permitted to write a thesis after completion of the required courses in the third year, he/she should submit the thesis proposal by 15th August preceding the yearof the second year to the Dean for approval by the Academic Council. The following conditions are to be observed regarding submission of thesis:
- The thesis should be written in English
- A candidate shall submit his/her thesis proposal along with the name of the guide by 15th August to the Dean for approval by the Academic Council
- The thesis must be on paper of uniform size (preferably 8.5” x 11) and bound in stiff covers
- Four copies of the thesis must by submitted not later than November 30 of the third year
- The thesis must be written in accordance with the guidelines given and published by the Senate
- The length of the thesis shall not be less than 20,000 and not more than 25,000 words
- The thesis submitted for examination shall remain the property of the Senate
- The thesis will be evaluated for 200 marks
The candidate is expected to follow the research manuals prescribed below:
“A Mannual for Researchers and Writers” by Hunter Mabry – Re. 250 (Senate publication)
- A candidate is expected to send the “Online Registration” form by 31st October every year prior to commencing the study.
The hard copy of the Registration Form should be submitted to the Dean, SCEPTRE, Kolkata within 6th November. The last submission of filled in application form with late fee is on or before 30th November.
- Online Examination Entry Form must be done on or before 31st May.
- The hard copy of the Examination entry form along with the consent letter of the Principal/head of the institution must reach the office of SCEPTRE, Kolkata on or before 10th June and with late fee 15th of June each year.
- If a candidate wishes to write the Senate examination overseas, he/she should seek prior permission from the Registrar by sending a request and a letter from the Superintendent of Examination before 15th June of the year of examination. The Senate shall determine the Local Centre and an additional fee to be paid in such cases.
Colleges offfering this course
SL. | Affiliated College | Address for Correspondence | Handle |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Andhra Christian Theological College, Telangana | The Principal Andhra Christian Theological College Gandhinagar P.O. Telangana Hyderabad -500 080 | |
2 | Allahabad Bible Seminary, Uttar Pradesh | The Principal Allahabad Bible Seminary 60/64 Stanley Road Uttar Pradesh Allahabad -211 002 | |
3 | |||
4 | Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Tamilnadu | The Principal Gurukul Lutheran Theological College 94, Purasawalkam High Road Kilpauk P.O. Tamilnadu Chennai -600 010 | |
5 | Kerala United Theological Seminary, Kerala | The Principal Kerala United Theological Seminary Kannammoola, Medical College P.O. Kerala Trivandrum -695 011 | |
6 | Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, Tamilnadu | The Principal Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai Arasaradi Tamilnadu Madurai -625 010 |