Theology and Mission curriculum

Learning about God is the heart of theology.

Mission is to bring a life changing experience with God to the world around us.

Our Theology and Mission curriculum is a 3-year (180 EAP) applied higher education program giving a bachelor’s degree. We want to help you know God better and be prepared to let the world experience Him through you.

The Basic Christian Studies program involves completing one year (minimum 45 EAP) of courses from the Theology and Mission curriculum. These courses provide basic knowledge of Christian theology, the Bible and biblical studies, as well as basic skills to apply what you have learned in your congregation and society. You can find more information on the Basic Christian Studies program here.

Our Theology and Mission curriculum seeks to balance developing your understanding of the God revealed in the Bible, as He has been known and experienced through the centuries, with developing your ability to share this God with your community and the wider world, taking into account the needs and the cultural and social context of each community.

Our curriculum is built around three primary topics: Systematic Theology and Church History, Biblical Studies and Practical Theology.

Systematic Theology and Church History (64 EAP)

Biblical Studies (57 EAP)

Practical Theology (96 EAP)

Learn the tools and develop the skills to bring the message of the Gospel to the people around you. This includes courses such as:

Evangelism & Discipleship – how to bring someone into an expanding life of faith?
Pastoral Care & Counselling – how can I help a friend who is struggling?
Spiritual Formation I-VI – first priority: how do I grow closer to God?
Theology of Worship – how do church services glorify God?
Foundations of Diaconal Ministry – where does helping the poor fit in the mission of God?
Life-long Learning in the Congregation – how to have a congregation that grows deeper in its understanding of faith?
Homiletics I & II – can I become a preacher?
Foundations of Pastoral Leadership – what does it take to lead a successful congregation?
Ministry Practicum I-III – gain experience and courage to serve God
and much more!

The Theology and Mission program is offered in three parallel curricula based on the student's choice of study language: Estonian (curriculum code 121657), English (121658) or Russian (121659).

The curriculum also includes a number of General Courses, Electives and the completion of a Diploma Paper or Diploma Project. The full curriculum can be seen in Estonian and English on the Study Informational System TAHVEL. The Russian language curriculum can be seen online here.

If this program of study speaks to your heart, click here to apply to join us.

1. General

1.1. Academic Regulations is a basic document regulating studies and all issues concerning educational activities in the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary (henceforth the Seminary).

1.2. Following the Academic Regulations is mandatory for all seminary faculty, staff, and students.

1.3. The Academic Regulations, including changes and additions, are confirmed by the Academic Council.

1.4. Rector’s Council has the right to establish additional regulations for the academic work of the Seminary.

The Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary offers students:

Academic counselling to help students in questions about the curriculum and general study issues.
Provided by the Registrar from Tuesday through Friday 10.00-14.00.
Telephone: 66 88 467, e-mail: seminar®emkts.ee.

APEL counselling to deal with issues with reference to prior and experiential learning.
Provided by the Registrar and dean from Tuesday through Friday 10.00-14.00.
Telephone: 66 88 467, e-mail: seminar®emkts.ee and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Psychological counselling to support students in relation to both their studies and personal life issues can be arranged by appointment with our Pastoral Care and Counselling teacher, Dr. Meeli Tankler, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are always willing to talk and pray with our students concerning issues related to their studies or personal lives.

Our doors are open.

1. Declaration of courses

Course registration happens on the ÕIS (SIS) platform at the beginning of each semester in the form of a declaration. Required courses are added automatically to the student's declaration. Electives must be added manually by the student. If a student does not intend to take a required course, the student must manually delete it from their declaration.

Students who study part time or as external learners must complete their own declaration on ÕIS (SIS).

Formatting of the assignments follows the international APA writing style guidelines. The guidelines provide a selection of most frequently used examples. If guidelines are not specific enough to students need, official APA style guidelines have preference. 

Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL, VÕTA) Guidelines

I General Provisions

The tuition fee for full time students in the 2022/23 academic year is 2050€. 

Part time students, and those registering for an individual course, pay a tuition of 40 € / ECTS.

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Full time students who are residents of the Republic of Estonia may apply for a scholarship the beginning of their first year of studies and annually thereafter. At the beginning of subsequent years of studies, residents of the Republic of Estonia may apply for scholarship if they have completed at least 75% of the previous year’s curriculum. Applications for the scholarship are submitted to the Rector’s Council. Receiving a scholarship depends upon demonstrating financial need, active participation in a local congregation and maintaining good academic standing. Receiving the scholarship reduces the tuition by the given amount.

• Methodist scholarship: 1,000 €
• Ecumenical scholarship: 525 €             

Application deadline: September 15.

Funds available to provide scholarships are limited and depend upon donations made to the Seminary.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.  

Needs-based study allowance can be applied for by a student:

• who is a citizen of Estonia or resides in Estonia on the basis of a permanent or temporary residence permit;
• who is not on academic leave;
• whose period of study has not exceeded the standard period of the curriculum;
• who studies full-time and completes the curriculum’s requirements in 75% or studies full-time in the first semester;
• whose family’s monthly income per family member is below 523 euros.

Amounts of the needs-based study allowance are divided as follows: EUR 75, 135 and 220. Being qualified to any of the amounts of the allowance depends on the average income of the student and their family members in the calendar year prior to the academic year of submitting an application for the study allowance. The family’s average income is calculated on the basis of the taxable income in the calendar year preceding the academic year of applying for the allowance. For example, in the 2020/2021 academic year, data for 2019 are taken as a basis.

Read more about study allowance in State Education Ministry Website

Special needs allowance

Students can apply for a special need-based support of 135 euros per month.

The special needs-based allowance is intended for those students who have been deprived of the need-based study allowance due to the fact that their previous income exceeded the threshold for receiving the allowance, but recently the income has significantly decreased.

Special needs support is granted and paid by educational institutions, which ask applicants for additional documents if necessary.

Information on special needs support is available from educational institutions.