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Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

MATS Programme


  • Basic Skills in Counselling (CP510) 

This course seeks to provide an introduction to the understanding, acquisition and use of basic counselling skills, primarily through experiential work in groups.  Students will be introduced to a variety of techniques through the observation and critiques, in-class role plays, taping and transcription of interviews, and in-class demonstrations.  The student’s own personal growth, self-insight, and self-awareness will be an integral component to this course.  Discussions of psycho-therapeutic transformation and its integration with theological and biblical concepts will be also included.


  • Theological Research Methods (TS510)

This course introduces Caribbean students to graduate-level theological research methods. The course will examine various scholarly methodologies and explore the nature of theological reflection. Students will also be introduced to the idea of “thinking critically and theologically” about relevant topics and issues. Registering students would have successfully completed the prerequisite, Effective Research and Writing.


  • Greek Grammar and Exegesis (TS614)

This course includes an examination of the grammar and syntax of the Greek New Testament and its use as an exegetical tool for interpreting New Testament.  It will incorporate the exegesis and application of selected passages from the Greek New Testament. In addition, the course will explore aspects of the manuscript history of the Greek New Testament.


  • Mission and Evangelism (TS536)

This course is a study of the Biblical basis of the Christian mission and its implications for the contemporary church. It is designed to help students establish a Biblical theology of missions and to provide a solid Biblical direction for practical missions work at home and abroad.


  • Caribbean Church History (TS513)

The Course is a theological and missional review of the development of the Christian Church within the English-speaking Caribbean Territories up to the present time, and an examination of the various influences, foreign and domestic, that shaped and helped to create what it has become.


  • Christian Worldview (THS522)

This course will introduce the history, nature, and impact of major worldviews, which go back to ancient times. The German Enlightenment notion of a Weltanschauung led to the formal study of worldviews. Christian worldviews are ways of understanding, imagining, and living, usually set over against non- Christian religions or ideologies, but also against other Christian perspectives. This course will focus on building and defending (apologia) a Christian worldview in terms of Christian thought and rationality (theoria), Christian imagination and identity (poesis), and Christian community and justice (praxis), and will attempt to do so with special reference to Caribbean life and culture.


  • Biblical Hermeneutics (TS512)

This module presents the principles and methods of interpreting the Biblical text. It also surveys the history of interpretation to demonstrate how interpretation differed over the centuries and the result of these various methods of interpretation on modern understandings of the Bible. Additionally, the course explicates key elements in the development of the biblical text and show the impact of these factors on the interpretation of scripture. 


  • Old Testaments Historical Books (TS532)

This course provides a detailed examination of the historical books of the Old Testament (from Joshua to Esther). It discusses the concept of history in ancient times and historical narratives, and discusses each of the historical books, examining various features, such as, authorship, historical background, audience, purpose, structure, outline, and content. The course also provides a study of how contemporary readers may interpret and apply each book to their real-life experiences.  The reading and summarizing of the historical books are also required and emphasized in this course.


  • Hebrew Grammar and Exegesis (TS611)

A study of the basic principles of phonology, morphology and syntax of Biblical Hebrew leading to an exegetical application to Genesis Chapter 1/Isiah 66. Emphasis will be placed on translation, identification of grammatical forms, analysis of syntactical construction and preparation of the passage for preaching and teaching.


  • Biblical Theology (TS613)

This course examines biblical theology through its definitions, history, methodologies, challenges, and themes. It focuses on understanding the Bible’s unity and diversity and proposes that these are best interpreted through Christocentric lens. This course covers some of the major topics, themes, and persons of biblical theology, including God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the church, the law, covenants, the Gospel, and Soteriology.


  • Systematic Theology (TS612)

This course examines systematic theology through its definitions, history, methodologies, challenges, and themes. It draws on Biblical data, while examining the development of Christian doctrine historically, particularly through philosophy, ethics, social sciences, and natural sciences. Special attention will be given to major topics such as Theology Proper, Angelology, Eschatology, Anthropology and Soteriology.


  • Contemporary Preaching (TS534)

An examination of basic approaches to Biblical preaching with a view of assisting students to develop their own skills and discipline related to the subject and apply it to life in the contemporary world.


  • Theological Ethics (TS533)

This course seeks to lay a foundation for the development of a Christian perspective to various social and political questions that we encounter daily. Students will engage in biblical, theological, and philosophical reflection as they study dominant approaches to moral thinking and their approaches to contemporary moral problems. Particular emphasis is placed on developing critical reflection skills and understanding how our faith informs our thinking and ministry, rather than merely finding “answers” to the pressing ethical issues.


  • Book of Acts (TS610)

A study of the first documented history of the Messianic Community: Its Formation, Constitution, Mission, and Application to the Caribbean Context.


  • Pastoral Care and Counselling (TS631)

The course pursues a study of the theological foundations of pastoral care and counselling and how they relate to the purposes, theories, and methods of the practice in the contemporary Caribbean church.


  • Gospels (TS630)

Employing an exegetical approach, this course seeks to uncover and identify as much as possible the personality and messages of the historical Jesus, how these were understood and applied in the sitz-im-leben of Jesus and the early church. A corollary objective is to make applications of the above findings to contemporary life. Additionally, selected non-canonical gospels are also surveyed. 


  • Marriage and Family Therapy (CP612)

The course is designed to give students an understanding of approaches to marriage/ family counselling, ethics, and intervention techniques pertinent counselling couples and families. It entails a critical examination of current theories, practices, and considerations of the dynamics of marriage and family relationships.  Special attention is given to the counsellor’s role in premarital, marital, and family counselling within the Caribbean context. 
This course facilitates the students’ ability to analyse and apply various family therapeutic models to the counselling practice. These theories are evaluated from a Christian worldview to establish a framework, educationally and professionally, to impact the students’ effectiveness as clinicians.


  • Congregational Leadership and Management (TS511)

This course shall expose students to leadership theory, leadership practices, and human resource insights that impinge on leadership for congregational leaders. Students shall also explore organizational theory that properly informs congregational leaders about the best leadership practices and the best organizational structures for churches and church institutions in the twenty-first century. The student shall explore a variety of texts on leadership and re-interpret the materials in the context of congregational and denominational life.


  • Conflict Management (TS530)

This introductory course is designed with you, the busy working professional, in mind.  The primary goal is to equip pastoral students and ministry leaders to identify, manage, and resolve conflicts effectively and equitably.  Conflicts in most communities are often dysfunctional and disruptive resulting in workplace chaos.  Churches or parachurch organisations are not exempt from conflicts. Thus, it is important to develop leaders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) to manage difficult situations and seek resolution.  Students will be introduced to conflict management theories and strategies for equipping themselves with established management tools particularly in the context of communities of faith.


  • Christian Worship (TS531)

A critical study of the nature and history of Christian worship. This study will also provide reflection on the effects of socio-cultural and theological factors that have and continue to influence worship.  


  • Internship I (TI632)

The purpose of the CGST internship program is to provide an opportunity for future church or para-church leaders to reflect on the nature of the church and pastoral ministry. As they observe and participate in the ministry of a local church or parachurch in practice and reflect on both the Scriptures and the writings of pastors and theologians who have thought carefully about the nature and calling of Christ’s bride, interns are able to consider what a healthy, biblical church or parachurch organization looks like and their role within it as a Christian leader.


  • Internship II (TI633)

The purpose of the CGST internship program is to provide an opportunity for future church or para-church leaders to reflect on the nature of the church and pastoral ministry. As they observe and participate in the ministry of a local church or parachurch in practice and reflect on both the Scriptures and the writings of pastors and theologians who have thought carefully about the nature and calling of Christ’s bride, interns are able to consider what a healthy, biblical church or parachurch organization looks like and their role within it as a Christian leader.      


  • Thesis Research I (TR632)

The Thesis Research project is a scholarly work that demonstrates the ability to do graduate-level research, to analyze primary texts, to use and evaluate scholarly literature on those texts, and to present the results of that research in a written thesis and an oral defence. 


  • Thesis Research II (TR632)

The Thesis Research project is a scholarly work that demonstrates the ability to do graduate-level research, to analyze primary texts, to use and evaluate scholarly literature on those texts, and to present the results of that research in a written thesis and an oral defence.