Diploma Programmes

Diploma Program 

The UTI Diploma of Christian Theology program delivers a basic, yet thorough, foundation for ministry. The Diploma serves as a comprehensive introduction to the essential areas of biblical knowledge, theological understanding, and hands-on experience in Christian life and leadership.  

Students from any educational background can thrive in the Diploma of Christian Theology program. UTI invites applicants to grow and deepen their faith through intensive classes, community involvement, and mentorship in ministry. 
We equip students to serve in their local churches, to take their faith into the world of business, and to share agape love in the far reaches of the globe. Ultimately, this is a preparation of mind, heart, and soul to serve – the development of one’s spiritual life through education and hands-on practical training. 

Change the world through mindfulness, truth, and love. Begin with a Diploma of Christian Theology program and see where God takes you.

Completion of 8 credit hours is required for graduation. View course descriptions below.
Diploma of Christian Theology Courses

8 Classes [16 credit hours]

Biblical Studies
BIB 101 The Biblical Narrative [Description]

Ministry
MIN 101 Ministry 101 [Description]

Theological Studies
THEO 201 Basic Christian Doctrine [Description]
THEO 202 Thinking Theologically [Description]

ELECTIVES
Four courses chosen from Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies courses, which are offered on a rotating basis. Examples include:

BIB 201 Old Testament: Torah and the Histories [Description]
BIB 202 Old Testament: Prophets and Poetry [Description]

BIB 203 New Testament: The Gospels [Description]

BIB 204 New Testament: From Acts to Revelation [Description] 

BIB 205 Introduction to New Testament Greek

BIB 206 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

COM 201 Preaching to Context: From Text to Hearer [Description]

COM 202 Introduction to Pastoral Care, Counseling and Conflict [Description] 

LED 201 Entrepreneurial Leadership [Description]
LED 202 Theology of Vocation, Work and Ministry [Description]

SPR 200 Spiritual Practices [Description]

THEO 203 The Church and the Mission of God [Description] 

THEO 204 Introduction to Old Catholic Theology

THEO 205 Introduction to Roman Catholicism

THEO 206 Introduction to Evangelical Theology

THEO 207 Introduction to Pentecostal Theology

WCT 201 Apologetics: Living Christ in a Pluralist World
[Description]



8 Classes [16 credit hours]

Biblical Studies
BIB 101

The Biblical Narrative
This course presents an overview of the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation, enabling the student to understand the greater connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament and their meaning for the contemporary church. The four unite of the course consist of: Creation and Salvation History, Israel’s Narrative, Jesus, and The Church and the Completion of All Things. (2 credits)
[Description]


Ministry
MIN 101
Ministry 101
This course presents an overview of the nature and tasks of ministry. its four units consist of: The Call of the Minister, The Tasks of the Minister, The Nature of Discipleship, Personal Spiritual Formation. (2 credits)
[Description]

Theological Studies
THEO 201
Basic Christian Doctrine
This course presents the fundamental belief grid that Christians have affirmed since the fourth century which shapes the meaning and ministry of the Christian today. The four units of the course consist of: History of the Creed; Creation, Humankind, and Sin; Christ, Atonement, and Salvation; Spirit, Church, and the Future. (2 credits)
[Description]

THEO 202
Thinking Theologically
This course enables the student to “think theologically” about the issues that confront the minister by placing her or his theological and biblical knowledge in dialogue with contemporary cultural issues. The four units of the course consist of: The Anxiety of Modern Culture; Theological Method Overview; Defining the Problems; Finding the Answers. (2 credits)
[Description]

ELECTIVES
Four courses chosen from Master of Arts in Theological Studies courses, which are offered on a rotating basis. Examples include:

BIB 201
Old Testament: Torah and the Histories
The Old Testament is vast, spanning from the creation of the cosmos to the exile of God’s people Israel. In this course, we examine the particular contexts, images, and stories of the Torah and the histories (Genesis-2 Kings), focusing on theology and interpretation to show how Scripture unfolds as one magnificent drama that situates us in relationship to God and his world. (2 credits)
[Description]

BIB 202
Old Testament: Prophets and Poetry
The Old Testament is vast, spanning from the creation of the cosmos to the exile of God’s people Israel. In this course, we examine the particular contexts, images, and stories of the prophetic and poetic books within their historical contexts (1 Chronicles-Malachi), focusing on theology and interpretation to show how these scriptures inform the grand narrative of God. (2 credits)
[Description]

BIB 203
New Testament: The Gospels
The New Testament continues and consummates the drama begun in the Old Testament. In particular, it focuses on Jesus of Nazareth as the solution to the cosmic problem originating in Genesis 3. This course focuses on the person, work, and teaching of Jesus provided for us in the four Gospels. (2 credits)
[Description]

BIB 204
New Testament: From Acts to Revelation
The New Testament continues and consummates the drama begun in the Old Testament. In particular, it focuses on the early church’s understanding of Jesus, how to be the ‘body of Christ’, and the consummation of time in the Book of Revelation. Application is made to the church today. (2 credits)
[Description] 

BIB 205 Introduction to New Testament Greek

Course description

 course offers an introduction to the language of the New Testament - koine Greek. It is taught intensively, with four contact hours per week, and covers both grammar and vocabulary. Passages from the Greek New Testament are introduced from the very beginning, and by the end of the course students will be able to tackle simple passages themselves.

Syllabus/Outline Description:

The course uses J. Duff's The Elements of New Testament Greek (CUP, 2005). We shall work through two chapters each week, with input from the course tutor and plenty of opportunity for worked examples (either individually or in groups). Regular vocabulary tests will reinforce class learning and ensure that students are ready for the next stage.

Student Learning Experience Information:

The course meets four times a week in a friendly, informal setting. The course tutor will explain new grammar, but students are encouraged to ask questions and to engage actively with their own learning. There is an expectation that students will go over each class carefully in their own time, committing to memory new grammatical forms and vocabulary. Class participants will demonstrate their achievement of the intended learning outcomes through class tests and the final exam.

BIB 206 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

This course provides a structured introduction to the language of biblical (i.e. classical) Hebrew. The aim is to enable to students to read simple prose texts from the Hebrew Bible. Grammatical concepts are covered in a systematic way throughout the course. From a very early stage students read sample sentences drawn directly from the Hebrew Bible itself, carefully chosen to correspond with the relevant lessons. Acquisition of a core stock of vocabulary is developed along with the grammar and text reading. Learning is reinforced through simple English-into-Hebrew exercises. The course concludes with a reading of a selected passage.

Syllabus/Outline Content:

The course assumes no background in the language, and begins with mastering the alphabet and writing system. Systematic coverage of nouns and the 'strong' verb follow. By the time of the course's mid point, basic grammatical concepts have been introduced. These are extended and developed through the verbal system, and the variations encountered in the so-called 'weak verbs'. Vocabulary acquisition features consistently throughout the course. This introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible concludes by reading one self-contained prose text, such as the account of creation in Genesis 1, or the Akedah (Genesis 22).

Student Learning Experience Information:

The course has a programme of three class sessions each week in which the grammatical concepts are introduced, explained, and put to use. There is a further weekly tutorial which does not introduce new material, but consolidates the previous week's learning. The tutorial session includes a brief quiz each week to test understanding of recently covered grammar points, and the quality of vocabulary acquisition. All four sessions are thoroughly interactive, with ample opportunity for immediate feedback and practising the 'oral' aspects of the language. A cumulative mid-semester test provides a helpful check-point, as well as giving practice in the kind of assessment faced in the final exam.

COM 201
Preaching to Context: From Text to Hearer
This course studies preaching from sermon construction to the delivery of the message, with special attention given to preaching context, verbal delivery, and the variety of preaching styles. (2 credits)
[Description]
COM 202
Introduction to Pastoral Care, Counseling and Conflict
Introduction to Christian Counseling is one aspect of pastoral ministry, including self-evaluation, exploration of human spiritual/emotional frailty, practice of basic techniques, and understanding movement toward both personal and familial wholeness. (2 credits)
[Description]

LED 201
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Entrepreneurial Leadership explores what it means to be a Christian leader in a postmodern, post-denominational culture. The class explores the latest in contemporary leadership theory with a focus on creative or ‘entrepreneurial’ leadership. The class applies these leadership principles in conversation with biblical and theological resources in order to explore the student’s vocation, as well as enhance the mission of the contemporary ekklesia. (2 credits)
[Description]

LED 202 

Theology of Vocation, Work & Ministry

CLASS SCHEDULE Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM, 3 credits

The course explores how the biblical narrative, especially as it reaches its climax in Jesus Christ, brings new meaning and fruitfulness to the worker, to the workplace, and work itself. It studies the unique dignity and difficulty men and women experience in the workplace, the reasons why work is so often sorrowful and frustrating, and the hope there is for the renewal of work. The course combines theory and practice, being and doing, understanding and application. The daily work experience is explored in several ways, including its context and integrative potential. 

Thus, the course investigates how worldview assumptions and cultural patterns shape the workplace and its culture of work. It also surveys how daily work is related to service, calling, and mission. The course is designed to equip both the everyday Christian and the church ministry professional to do the work of ministry in the work world. The following topics are investigated: 

• An understanding of vocation as both human and personal calling. 

• Societal and biblical understandings of work and of human nature as it relates to work. 

• Reasons for the wide range of workplace experiences, from misery to joy. 

• How people can work toward experiencing joy in the workplace through stewarding gifts, values & power. What it means for people to participate in the work world in ministry and mission as prophets, priests, and princes. 

• Implications of one God calling one people; for laity, clergy, and the whole people of God.

• How the joyful worker experiences failure, success, and service.

• How purpose matters for people who enter “the Master’s joy” at work.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Understand the biblical nature of Christian vocation.

Understand God’s calling to include all followers of Jesus Christ as God’s ministers.

Intentional diversity: See a relationship between critical reasoning and spirituality.

Understand the importance of theological reflection and practice in vocation.

Understand various models to assist others to influence an organization’s corporate values.

Learn different methods of communicating their faith through their work. 

Gain confidence in sharing the implications of the Gospel with others in the workplace.

Social relevance

Reading summaries

Personal transformation

Classroom oral assignment

Course project

The goal for those who are professional church-related ministers will be that of empowering them to reorient how they challenge those to whom they minister, enabling all to view themselves as ministers of the Gospel in the workplace.

RESOURCES

Joy at Work: A Revolutionary Approach to Fun on the Job, by Dennis Bakke

The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective by R. Paul Stevens

Recommended selections from: 

How to Find Your Mission in Life by Richard N. Bolles

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, by Os Guinness

The Fabric of This World, by Lee Hardy

Vocation: Discerning our Callings in Life, by Douglas J. Schuurman

The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View, Brian Walsh & Richard J. Middleton

SPR 200
Spiritual Practices
Study of the spiritual practices regards the manner in which ministers and Christians-in-general attend to the care of their own spiritual lives, as well as how they can help others in identifying and managing the spiritual issues in their lives. The spiritual disciplines focus on creating healthy individual and communal spirituality, as well as how we can help others cultivate a healthy spirituality. (2 credits)
[Description]

THEO 203
The Church and the Mission of God
In this course, the student moves from a focus on the changed life to changing lives. The course explores the nature of the church as the body of Christ, community life in the Spirit, and the nature of movement, or better, mission, as the vocation of the church. The student finds out that the church is a ‘movement’ empowered and guided by the love of God (2 credits)

THEO 204

Introduction to Old Catholic Theology

Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical

Course Description

The course offers an introduction to Old Catholic theology in an ecumenical context. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. 

Aspects:The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition:  History of Old Catholicism

Spirituality

Ecumenism

Canon law

Ecclesiology 

Liturgy

Systematic Theology

COURSE AIM

The goals of the course are, the following; upon completing the course:

- The student will be familiar with central aspects of Old Catholic identity and theology.

- The student will be able to contextualize Old Catholic theology within the broader spectrum of theology and religious studies.

- The student will be able to undertake further independent study of aspects of Old Catholic theology. (2 Credits)

THEO 205

Introduction to Roman Catholicism

Course Description

In the documents of Vatican II, the baptized are called to holiness and to greater understanding of their unique role in building the Kingdom of God. An informational and enriching introduction to the Catholic faith and theology, this course will enable you to take greater responsibility in promoting the life and mission of the Church. Using the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults as a primary text, this course will explore six core areas and will serve as a good foundation for those who seek to continue theological studies or develop theological competency for ministry. Theology is a fascinating and vital subject that challenges those who study it to think critically and personally about human existence, the world we live in and our relationship with God and one another. It is recommended (but not required) as a first course for those new to theological study.

Content

Unit 1: Faith Development

• Faith as a Personal and Communal Response to God's Self-Revelation
• Stages of Faith Development
• Faith as "Content" as Well as a Dynamic Spiritual Reality

Unit 2: Scripture

• Revelation Transmitted through Scripture and Tradition
• Development of the Bible
• Overview of the Old Testament
• Overview of the New Testament
• Interpretation of the Scriptures

Unit 3: The Creed/ Jesus Christ

• Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds
• Trinity
• Person of Jesus Christ
• Christology

Unit 4: The Church

• Models of the Church
• Marks of the Church
• Mary and Saints

Unit 5: Sacraments, Liturgy and Prayer

• Liturgy as Act of the Church
• Seven Sacraments
• Importance of Prayer

Unit 6: Morality

• Elements of Christian Morality
• Sources of Catholic Morality
• Basics of Catholic Social Teaching

Course Format

• Developed by Mary Jane Silvia, Director for Youth Ministry, and Mary Ellen Mahon, Director for Catechetical Formation, Diocese of Manchester.
• Seven weeks in duration, with one week for orientation.
• Typically 15-20 students in each course.
• In addition to assigned readings from United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, additional lecture material provided online.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (150-200 words) required.
• Facilitator-moderated chat sessions with students in course.

Required Text

• Participants in this course must have their own copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Vatican II .

THEO 206

Introduction to Evangelical Theology

Description

This course is an exploration of the historical. rise of the broad Evangelical movement and its internal theological particularities. The course will cover material from the Reformation through the British Isles in the 17th and 18th centuries and examine the profusion of Evangelical expressions in contemporary North American Christianity. 

Questions of evangelical identity and coherence will be discussed as well as recent theological tensions within North America. The first half of the course will be devoted to the historical narrative of Evangelical thought rooted in the Reformation and ending with the Fundamentalist movement. 

The second half of the class will be more topical in nature, covering contemporary North American Evangelicalism's ecclesiology, theological method, ethics, ecumenical posture, and relationship to pub lib life. 

The goal of the course is to introduce the modern Evangelical movement to those students who are unfamiliar with it and to provide a trans-denominational perspective for students well-versed in one particular expression of the movement.

THEO 207 

Introduction to Pentecostal Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An examination of classical Pentecostal theology with references to the early evangelical influences that contributed to its formation. Attention is given to the manner in which various Pentecostal emphases have been appropriated and developed within different charismatic settings.

This course will explore theology within the Pentecostal tradition in both its earliest forms and more recent innovative constructions. It will investigate the ways in which Pentecostal experience of the Holy Spirit has led to a re-imagining and re-visioning of various aspects of Christian theology, bringing fresh perspectives and fruitful ways of engaging with biblical and contemporary issues. Students will investigate the ways in which early Pentecostals wrestled to articulate their experience in meaningful theological frameworks, including how they dealt with disagreements and controversies. 

Special attention will be given to theological interpretations of Spirit baptism and glossolalia (speaking in other tongues), since these issues are hallmarks of classical Pentecostalism. 

Finally, current constructive proposals emerging from pneumatologically-conscious Pentecostal theologians will be explored, highlighting implications for such issues as hermeneutics, ecclesiology, the Spirit’s work in creation and culture (including world religions and the sciences), and philosophy.

OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, 

By:  Keeping current with readings and other course materials;

 Participating in six analytical discussion forums;

 Writing a comparative analysis paper on Spirit baptism;

 Developing an extended paper on a particular aspect of Pentecostal theology;

Students should be able to:

 Analyze key theological ideas found within early and contemporary Pentecostalism;

 Compare, contrast, and analyze the theological interpretations of the classical Pentecostal view of Spirit baptism and several non-Pentecostal perspectives;

 Describe and discuss ways in which Pentecostalism has and/or is currently contributing to Christian theology. (2 Credits)

REQUIRED TEXTS

Brand, Chad Owen, ed. Perspectives on Spirit Baptism: Five Views. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2004.

Jacobsen, Douglas G. Thinking in the Spirit: Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Movement. 

Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2003.

Menzies, William W., and Robert P. Menzies. Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal 

Experience: A Call to Evangelical Dialogue. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.

Neumann, Peter D. Pentecostal Experience: An Ecumenical Encounter. Princeton Theological 

Monographs 187. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2012.

WCT 201
Apologetics: Living Christ in a Pluralist World
What does it mean to live and promote the ‘good news’ of Jesus in a pluralist world? This course covers the practice of following and witnessing to Christ in a world of competing religions and worldviews. The course gives an overview of select world religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism), secularism, scientism and consumerism, with a selection of Christian engagements. (2 credits)
[Description]

NOTE: All programs subject to change.

GRADING

Course project; involves submission of a minimum of 15 page paper: 70% of Grade.

Classroom participation; includes participation in occasional oral assignments and submission of periodic reading summaries: 30% of Grade.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In order to earn credit class participants must produce a 15 page paper on an approved topic of their choosing addressing some aspect of a “Theology of Vocation, Work & Ministry. The paper must include not only theological reflection but also how the material will be applied to the participant’s life and work. 

CLASS POLICIES

1. Attendance: You are permitted one hour of absence for each hour the course meets during the week; however, 

you must contact the professor via email or voice mail before the end of class. All assignments are due on the 

date designated. 

2. Late assignments: There are no extensions. One grade will be deducted for each day that the paper is late.

3. Style Guide for written work: The participant may choose any standard academic guide (MLA recommended).

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: In a Christian college or seminary academic integrity is particularly important. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing (the unacknowledged use of other people’s words or ideas as though they were your own) will be subject to the penalties as described in the plagiarism policy of UTI or relevant copyright law.

5. Electronic Devices: It is expected that ALL electronic devices be MUTED during class time. Do not answer phone calls or during classes.

6. Academic Quality: Remember that grades for assignments are based not only on the completion of the assignment but the quality of work produced. The higher the quality of skills and abilities demonstrated, in areas such as expression and depth of thought, organization, writing, research, reporting, and observation, the 

higher the grade given to the assignment. All written assignments will be completed using the style guide of the student’s choice.

8. Communication with Instructor: UTI email will be the primary mode 

of communication with students, unless specified otherwise. Please check your email regularly.

GRADING SCALE:

Grades for courses are calculated on a total points basis for each category of grading. Each category is assigned a percentage of the total grade. All grades are calculated based on the following scale of

Letter Grade\Percentile Equivalents:

A = 70% - 100% 

B = 60% - 69% 

C = 50% - 59% 

D = 45% - 49% 

E = 40% - 44% 

F = 43% - 0%