Academics

Courses offered

Residential Courses

1. Bachelor of Theology (BTh.)

2. Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Non-Residential Courses

1. Bachelor of Theology (BTh.)

2. Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

3. Master of Theology (M.Th.)

4. Docotor of Missiology (D.Miss.)

5. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Admission Policies
IGSM will not admit any applicant as a day scholar except post graduate extension students. The following policies govern all admissions to IGSM.

Sponsorship

IGSM is committed to serving the Church through its visible and local manifestations. Therefore, it is the policy of IGSM that, generally, only those applicants who are sponsored by a Church, mission or established Christian organization will be considered for admission.

In this clause, the term sponsored by means that the applicant has been recommended by and will be accountable to the sponsoring body for the entire duration of his/her academic program.

Educational Qualifications

Applicants for the B.Th. degree course should have passed the 12th standard or Pre-University Examination, i.e., candidates must be eligible for admission into any recognised university.

Applicants for the M.Div degree course should be: (a) graduates from a recognized University; or (b) B.Th graduates with at least a second class from any recognized theological institution.

Program Duration and Residency

The residency requirement for the B.Th. program is three academic years. For applicants without any prior theological education applying for the M.Div. program, the residency requirement is three academic years. For applicants with a B.Th. or any other equivalent degree (subject to recognition by the IGSM Admissions Committee) the residency is two years.

Application Procedure
Admission is open to students from any denominations that are confident of their salvation experience and call to ministry. Application forms and the Prospectus can be obtained from the Office upon payment of an Rs.200/- non-refundable fee, by writing to the following address:

Add address with Principal’s email number

The Academic year begins in June and completed applications should be submitted by May 31 preceding the month of June in which admission is sought.

A late fee of Rs.100/- must accompany late applications, which must be received no later than June 3.

Application Checklist

The Admissions Committee will not consider an application for admission until the Academic Office has received the following:

• A completed Application form.

• Three copies of a recent photograph (passport size) in addition to the one affixed to the application form.

• One photocopy of each page of all academic records, certificates and transcripts (Originals are to be submitted to the Academic Office at the time of Registration for the first semester. This is absolutely essential for confirming the provisional admission of the candidate).

• A copy of the migration/transfer certificate (wherever applicable).

• The applicant’s written testimony of his/her Christian experience and personal commitment to Christ.

• The applicant’s purpose in pursuing theological training at IGSM written on a separate sheet of paper.

• A medical certificate on the prescribed form filled out by a medical practitioner not below the rank of MBBS. If the spouse and children of the applicant plan to reside at IGSM for the duration of the residency, they are each required to submit this form.

• A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s sending church, mission or educational institution, indicating that the student will be accountable to the sponsoring body for the duration of his/her studies.

• Two letters of recommendation on the prescribed form. These should be sent directly from each referee to the Academic Dean. Letters of recommendation attached with the application form will not be considered. (IGSM graduates applying for further studies are required to furnish at least two recent references).
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The Admissions Committee’s decisions will be conveyed to the applicants by post in their address for Admission Correspondence given in the application form. The College is under no obligation to specify reasons for the non-selection of any candidate. Only those who receive the Admission Call Letter should come to the College.

Interview and Qualifying Examination

Applicants who receive the Admission Call Letter are to come to IGSM during the first week of June for an interview and a qualifying examination. IGSM will provide board and lodging while they are on campus for these purposes.

While on campus, the applicants will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee and will take qualifying examinations in English, General Knowledge and Bible. A pass in these exams is a must for final selection.

Graduation

The Faculty, with help of all the Deans, will evaluate the life and conduct of each student on campus focusing on his/her spiritual growth, academic performance and ministerial involvement. Visible evidences of Christ likeness and a constant zeal for attaining Christian maturity are expected from each student. The efforts of students to promote Christian unity and maintain harmony in social relationships with members of the IGSM family will be given importance in the evaluation. Successful completion of all academic requirements is necessary for graduation. Each student’s ministry on campus and off campus is also evaluated at the end of each year. A positive recommendation from the Practical Training Committee is required for clearing a student for graduation. The Faculty will recommend students to the Board of Governors for final clearance for graduation. The decision of the Board of Governors of IGSM will be final in this regard.

Academic Requirements
In all courses, grades are awarded as a result of continuous assessment. Teachers have the freedom to devise and use their own method of assessment. It is to be noted that IGSM’s educational goal is not so much to establish the student’s ability to recall lecture notes as it is to encourage in students mature, analytical, critical, creative, constructive and clear thinking.
Semester Design
The academic year is divided into two semesters of seventeen to eighteen weeks each. All students should register for subjects on set days announced by the Academic Office.
Attendance
A student must have a minimum of 80% attendance for any given subject to be considered eligible for writing the final examination.
Class Work
Generally, 40% of the total grade for each subject is allotted to class work. A pass in the class work is required for students to sit for the final written examination.
Thesis Writing
All students in the M Div program who have secured a B+ average (65%) or above by the beginning of the final year are required to undertake a guided research work. Successful completion of the research, which will be examined by the Supervisor and a second examiner, is a non-interchangeable academic requirement.
Grading System
All assignments and examination papers will be graded in three categories:
• First Class
A+ 80% and above
A 75% – 79%
A- 70% – 74%
• Second Class
B+ 65% – 69%
B 60% – 64%
B- 55% – 59%
• Third Class
C+ 50% – 54%
C 45% – 49%
C- 40% – 44%
• Failure
Below 40%
Final Examination
The Academic Office administers all examinations. Written examinations of up to 3 hours duration will be held at the end of the semester. These exams cover the total work for a given subject in a semester and normally carry 60% of the total grade.
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive examinations are meant to test the ability of students to integrate the course content of various subjects covered during his or her whole study program. These exams are conducted in the final semester of the student’s final year of studies.
Retake Supplementary Examinations
All retake exams will be held at the beginning of a new semester. Absence from a retake examination without prior permission is considered failure in that exam. There will be a 5% reduction in the total marks obtained in the retake exam. A fee of Rs.25/- is charged for each retake, which must be paid at least one day in advance to the Finance Office.
Students unable to sit for a final examination for any valid reason will have to apply to the Academic Dean, with written recommendations from the concerned teacher and the Dean of Students, at least one day in advance. Students thus permitted to miss the final exam need to take a supplementary exam that will be conducted at the same time as the retake exam. There is no reduction in the total marks obtained in this exam.