Frequently Asked Questions?

• Is SATS Accredited?
• What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• What is a Credit?
• When do I Pay?
• How do I Pay?
• What happens after I Pay?
• How long does it take to receive my work?
• How do I write exams?
• How do I submit my assignment?
• What do I do when I need help with my assignment?
• Can I extend my assignment and exam due dates?
• Does SATS have residential facilities?
• Are there libraries available I can use?
• What is the difference between a 3 and 4 year BTH Degree?
• What is the Christian Lounge?
• Does my denomination recognise the SATS qualification?
• Can I change my curriculum halfway through?
• Will I graduate after every 120 Credits?
• Will I be able to contact other students?

Is SATS Accredited?

All of our programmes are accredited and registered. In South Africa in order for an institution to operate legally three processes are needed:

1. The programmes need to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education. The private institutions were the first to undergo these evaluations and their results were announced on 5 Dec 2002. State institutions now undergo exactly the same processes and are subject to exactly the same criteria. With that in mind a degree from SATS has to meet the same stringent standards as a degree from the traditional state universities. In the case of the Masters degree, the external examiner will, in any case, be drawn from one of the state institutions, thus ensuring that the final product is judged by the same standards.
2. The Registrar of Private Higher Education Institutions then has to register the institution and will look at factors such as financial sustainability.
3. Each programme must then be registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Under the new educational dispensation, the intention of the government is that the qualifications which meet all of the above should be nationally and internationally comparable and the credits earned at such institutions should be portable. We are absolutely sure that our qualifications will match those of any other institution in South Africa and that, as such, they will be accepted both locally and internationally.

The South African Theological Seminary is registered by the Department of Education (registration number 2001/HE08/005) and accredited by the Council on Higher Education to offer the following programmes:

1. Certificate in Christian Life
2. Certificate in Christian Counselling
3. Certificate in Worship Studies
4. Diploma in Biblical Studies
5. Bachelor of Theology
6. Master of Theology
7. Doctor of Theology

SATS is registered as a Section 21 Company, registration number 2002/005184/08

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

If you have already studied elsewhere or if you have appropriate ministry experience, you will probably qualify for prior learning credits, which will reduce the total cost and duration of your educational programme. You will be charged at a nominal rate for credits you have earned at institutions which are not accredited and registered, and for life experience, but all others are free.

As soon as we receive your Application form, we will evaluate your existing qualifications and experience and advise you of the credits we are provisionally prepared to grant. We will then also advise you as to what steps you need to take to formalise these credits.

What is a Credit?

One credit equates to approximately 10 hours of time on task. For example, if a subject is 6 credits it will take you approximately 60 hours to complete, including research and writing of assignments. On average students should study between 8-10 hours per week. This would make a 6 credit subject 6 weeks long.

When do I Pay?

To enrol you will need to pay the amount indicated on your Application feedback letter, which includes the enrolment fee (once off) as well as credits earned from non-accredited institutions or through life experience, and the amount for your first subject.

Students who are enrolling for their next subject should pay the amount for that subject before we send it.

How do I Pay?

Option 1: Bank Deposit

Option 2: Online payment at SATS website

You can also pay online with a major credit card at our website by clicking on "pay on line" on the home page of the website and following the prompts. To access our online payment facility directly, simply click on pay here and then follow the prompts.

Option 3: Internet Banking

You can make an online transfer from your bank account to the SATS bank account using the information in Option 1.

Option 4: 15% Discount

Should you wish to pay for a full 120 credit up front and in full (excluding the enrolment fee) you will receive a 15% discount. This is non-refundable so you must be prepared to complete the entire 120 credits.

Option 5: International Payments

Foreign students, if you cannot pay by one of the above-mentioned options you will need to send a Tele-transmission – please do not send personal cheques. You will need to go to your bank, fill in a form. You will need the following information:

Should you wish to come into SATS to enrol or pick up your courses there are credit card facilities available.
SATS sends out courses by registered post and it may take about a week for delivery. If you want your course quicker than that, please include R30 for Speed Post.
 
ALL PAYMENTS MADE TO SATS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. PLEASE EMAIL OR FAX THROUGH CONFIRMATION OF PAYMENT AND INCLUDE ALL YOUR RELEVANT DETAILS.

What happens after I pay?

Once SATS receives the confirmation of your payment, your application will be processed. This means that your information will be loaded onto our database and your subject information is prepared and sent out to you. This will not take more than three days, provided we have all the correct information.

How long does it take to receive my work?

It is very important that we receive a faxed deposit slip or emailed confirmation of payment. If you are able to come into the Seminary, you can enrol and take your first subject within 15 minutes.

Registered post usually arrives within one week and Speed Post within 2-3 working days.

If you take a CDROM with your entire curriculum on it you will simply get an unlocking code and due dates via email or telephone.

Do I need textbooks?

All of the subjects within SATS’ first year curriculum are self contained and therefore do not need any textbooks, with the exception of the following:

You will need to purchase the following textbooks for the Certificate in Christian Counselling:

1. Tan, S. 1991. Lay Counseling: Equipping Christians for a Helping Ministry.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.  ISBN 0-310-52931-x
2. Collins, G. 1988.  Christian Counseling - a Comprehensive Guide (Revised Edition).  Dallas: Word.  ISBN 0-8499-3124-x
3. Meier, Minirth, Wichern & Ratcliff. 1999. Introduction to Psychology and Counseling: Christian Perspectives and Applications. 2nd Ed.  Baker Books.  ISBN 0-8010-6275-6

If you are taking the Missions subjects in the first year programme you are required to purchase the following textbook:

1. ‘Perspectives on the World Christian Movement – A Reader’ by Ralph D Winter & Steven C. Hawthorne (Ed). Published by William Carey Library ISBN 0 85364 999 5.

The third year subject, GCS3141 – Conflict and Reconciliation requires the following textbook:

1. Sande, Ken. 2004. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving PersonalConflict. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

READERS: Due to the fact that many of the prescribed theological textbooks are sometimes difficult to find and extremely expensive, the South African Theological Seminary has compiled Readers for all the subjects within the Diploma and Bachelor programmes.

These Readers include selected extracts from all the books recommended for the courses in these two programmes, as well as a selection of other relevant documents which we are sure will assist you as you complete each assignment. So that we do not infringe any copyright laws, we have signed a contract with the Dramatic Arts and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), the terms of which enable us to include these extracts in the Readers.  

Although the Readers are provided to you free of charge, you will still have the option to obtain the textbooks if you would prefer.

Our agreement with DALRO does not allow us to distribute Reader electronically. However, at long last we have received permission to store them on a secure website from which SATS students can access them. Please note that the Readers are exclusively for the use of SATS students.

How do I write exams?

Exams are written in the presence of an invigilator. The person you chose to be your mentor will function as the invigilator for your exams. He/She will need to be over the age of 21 and does not need to have any formal qualifications. He/She must be able to receive the exam either via email or the post and be available for the entire time you need to write the exam. This person may not be a registered SATS student or close family member.

How do I submit my assignment?

Assignments can be submitted via our Automated Assignment system using your email and internet access or by post.

What do I do when I need help with my assignment?

If students would like to discuss any part of their coursework they can contact the Seminary during office hours, 8am – 4pm Monday through Friday, and speak to our course tutors.

Can I extend my assignment and exam due dates?

Yes. Students can call the Registrar to extend assignment or exam due dates when they are unable to submit on time. Usually a grace period of 2 weeks is granted, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Does SATS have residential facilities?

No. The SA Theological Seminary is a distance learning education institution that allows the students to study at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home.

Are there libraries available I can use?

Yes. SATS has agreements with certain libraries where students can go and use the facilities. We also have a growing library and students are welcome to visit the Seminary to browse through the books or to search our vast electronic collection.

What is the difference between a 3 and 4 year BTH Degree?

The three-year BTh degree is worth 360 credits, whereas the four-year BTh degree is worth 480 credits and is required to enter the Masters programme.

What is the Christian Lounge?

When students enrol with SATS they automatically become members of christianlounge.com. This site is the starting point for finding anything and everything to do with Christianity. Whether you are searching for serious academic articles or information on your favourite Christian artist, this is the place to start! Christianlounge.com has everything a student needs from Bibles to software, from parenting to games, from Bible studies to radio stations.

Does my denomination recognise the SATS qualification?

There are a number of denominations currently enrolling students at SATS for their theological studies. You will need to contact the head of your denomination in order to find out if the SATS degree is sufficient for their denominational requirements. SATS does not ordain ministers.

Can I change my curriculum halfway through?

Yes. Because we are adding electives to our curriculum on a regular basis there may be one or two subjects you would like to add. Calling the Registrar to adjust your curriculum can accomplish this at a fee of R50.

Will I graduate after every 120 Credits?

No, unless you enrolled for a qualification which only requires 120 credits. Rather, you will graduate once you have successfully completed the required number of credits for your desired qualification.

Will I be able to contact other students?

Students’ private contact details are not shared without written consent from the student. This facility is not currently available on SATS’ database.