The following goals are arranged in three groupings: the first grouping describes goals at the discipline level, the second describes macro skills and competencies, and the third presents the goals of both integration and faith.

• • • The student is conversant with vocabulary, key concepts, and methodology of each discipline.
    • The student recognizes, analyses, and responds to questions at issue and can form critical questions in context.
    • The student can perform effective and appropriate research in specific disciplines.

• • • The student manifests comprehension in listening and reading.
    • The student articulates concepts through persuasive speaking and writing, employing a variety of rhetorical methods.

• • • The student can articulate, critique, and utilize diverse perspectives within disciplines and across the curriculum.
    • The student can articulate and integrate the cultural, intellectual, and historical roots and living tradition of the Catholic faith.

The Bachelor of Ministry program at MTCS is accredited by the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools (SPATS) and the Samoa Qualification Authority (SQA).

Admission requirement for the Bachelor of Ministry program is the Diploma of Theology or its equivalent.

The program of the Bachelor of Ministry, a second degree in theological studies, it fulfils the requirements of the Catholic Church for ordination to the diaconate or priesthood, the Bachelor program comprises all the courses presented in Years II, III, IV and V of the MTCS program.

• • • Specifically, the BA in Ministry program aims at enabling the students to:
      become familiar with the Catholic theological tradition and its contemporary expression in the ministry;
    • develop a mature understanding of the Scriptures, the history, traditions
      and beliefs of their own and other expressions of the Catholic faith;
    • apply a mature evaluation to contemporary theologies and spiritualities;
    • express a reasoned appreciation of the Catholic faith and articulate a
      reasoned application of it to contemporary issues;
    • Respond to and appreciate other Christian traditions and other faiths
      within the ministry.

Students of Year IV and Candidacy Year (V) are required to submit one Research Paper (2,500 words approximately for Year IV and 5,000 words approximately for Candidacy Year) Students may choose an academic area of their own choice, though a different one for each paper. The research is done under the direction of a supervisor. Students should aim at having their papers published. All papers must be handed in by October 27th, 2022.

The Bachelor of Ministry is normally awarded to those students who have passed at least 36 courses listed in the program in the handbook from Years 2 to 5 plus 1 major research paper.

Where there has been excellent performance in the four years of the Bachelor program (usually measured as maintaining an A- average or above) an internal award of Distinction is awarded to students with an A- average or above in the four years of study.

The four-year curriculum, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, may be completed with a major in Ministry or a double major in Religious Studies. In all cases, a minimum of 280 up to 360 credits must be achieved. The four components of the Bachelor degree include: General Religious Education; Foundations for Graduate Theology and Ministry; Language Study and Supplementary courses; and a Research paper. Students take supplementary courses in order to concentrate on specific areas of interest or to fill in areas requiring additional development. In their final year, students will write a Research paper on the area of interest and be able to present it in a seminary as a fulfilment for his/her degree.