Arts & Humanities

Master of Systemic Theology

The Master of Systemic Theology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in theological scholarship, systematic theology, and religious education. The programme provides specialised training in systematic theology, philosophical theology, biblical studies, church history, and contemporary theological issues.

Core areas include systematic theology, philosophical theology, biblical studies, church history, ethics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, seminars, and research.

The programme is offered by St. Paul's University as a private institution through the School of Theology, with a specialisation in Systematic Theology including Philosophy and Gender Theology. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa offers a related Master of Theology with specialisations including Dogmatic Theology. Both programmes are available over two years.

Students develop competencies in systematic theology, philosophical analysis, biblical interpretation, ethical reasoning, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, seminars, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for theological scholarship and ministry roles.

St. Paul's University charges approximately KES 250,600 per year while CUEA charges approximately KES 204,840 per year. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as theologians, clergy, religious educators, chaplains, theological researchers, and lecturers across churches, theological institutions, universities, and faith-based organisations.

Skills Required

Systematic Theology and Doctrine
Philosophical Theology and Ethics
Biblical Studies and Exegesis
Church History and Historical Theology
Theological Research and Writing
Comparative Religion and Ecumenism
Pastoral Counselling and Ministry
Gender Theology and Social Justice
Research Methods in Theology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Systematic Theology and Doctrine
Philosophical Theology and Ethics
Biblical Studies and Exegesis
Church History and Historical Theology
Theological Research and Writing
Comparative Religion and Ecumenism
Gender Theology and Social Justice
Research Methods in Theology
Pastoral Counselling and Ministry
Thesis Research

Certifications

WCC Ecumenical Formation
Kenya Association of Theological Institutions (KATI) Membership

Specializations

Systematic Theology

Focuses on systematic theology, covering systematic, theology, doctrine, philosophy, and managing systematic theology and doctrine.

Philosophical Theology

Examines philosophical theology, covering philosophical, theology, philosophy, ethics, and managing philosophical theology and ethics.

Biblical Studies

Covers biblical studies, covering biblical, studies, exegesis, scripture, and managing biblical studies and exegesis.

Church History

Focuses on church history, covering church, history, historical, theology, and managing church history and historical theology.

Gender Theology

Examines gender theology, covering gender, theology, social, justice, and managing gender theology and social justice.

Pastoral Ministry

Covers pastoral ministry, covering pastoral, ministry, counselling, church, and managing pastoral ministry and counselling.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 310,375
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Systematic Theology and Doctrine
Philosophical Theology and Ethics
Biblical Studies and Exegesis
Church History and Historical Theology
Theological Research and Writing
Comparative Religion and Ecumenism
Gender Theology and Social Justice
Research Methods in Theology
Pastoral Counselling and Ministry
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Systematic Theology and Doctrine
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines systematic theology, covering systematic, theology, doctrine, philosophy, and managing systematic theology and doctrine.
Philosophical Theology and Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers philosophical theology, covering philosophical, theology, philosophy, ethics, and managing philosophical theology and ethics.
Biblical Studies and Exegesis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biblical studies, covering biblical, studies, exegesis, scripture, and managing biblical studies and exegesis.
Church History and Historical Theology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers church history, covering church, history, historical, theology, and managing church history and historical theology.
Theological Research and Writing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theological research, covering theological, research, writing, methods, and managing theological research and writing.
Comparative Religion and Ecumenism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers comparative religion, covering comparative, religion, ecumenism, dialogue, and managing comparative religion and ecumenism.
Gender Theology and Social Justice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gender theology, covering gender, theology, social, justice, and managing gender theology and social justice.
Research Methods in Theology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, theology, statistics, and conducting research in theology, preparing students for their thesis.
Pastoral Counselling and Ministry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pastoral ministry, covering pastoral, ministry, counselling, church, and managing pastoral ministry and counselling.
Contemporary Theological Issues
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers contemporary theology, covering contemporary, theological, issues, modern, and managing contemporary theological issues.
World Christianity and Mission
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines world Christianity, covering world, Christianity, mission, global, and managing world Christianity and mission.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a systematic theology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and theological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Systematic Theology
Focuses on systematic theology, covering systematic, theology, doctrine, philosophy, and managing systematic theology and doctrine.
Philosophical Theology
Examines philosophical theology, covering philosophical, theology, philosophy, ethics, and managing philosophical theology and ethics.
Biblical Studies
Covers biblical studies, covering biblical, studies, exegesis, scripture, and managing biblical studies and exegesis.
Church History
Focuses on church history, covering church, history, historical, theology, and managing church history and historical theology.
Gender Theology
Examines gender theology, covering gender, theology, social, justice, and managing gender theology and social justice.
Pastoral Ministry
Covers pastoral ministry, covering pastoral, ministry, counselling, church, and managing pastoral ministry and counselling.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Systemic Theology programme combines lectures, seminars, independent study, and theological reflection. Sessions cover systematic theology, philosophical theology, biblical studies, church history, and ethics. Systematic theology sessions examine systematic, theology, doctrine, philosophy, and managing systematic theology and doctrine. Philosophical theology sessions cover philosophical, theology, philosophy, ethics, and managing philosophical theology and ethics. Biblical studies sessions cover biblical, studies, exegesis, scripture, and managing biblical studies and exegesis. Church history sessions cover church, history, historical, theology, and managing church history and historical theology. Gender theology sessions cover gender, theology, social, justice, and managing gender theology and social justice. Pastoral ministry sessions cover pastoral, ministry, counselling, church, and managing pastoral ministry and counselling. Seminars provide opportunities for theological discussion and presenting research findings. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a systematic theology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers deep theological scholarship with specialisation in systematic theology, philosophy, and gender theology.
St. Paul's University offers scholarship opportunities for MTh in Ecumenical Leadership.
Programme is relevant for both clergy and lay persons seeking advanced theological education.
Graduates are well positioned for roles in churches, theological institutions, and universities.

Against it

Only private universities confirmed offering this programme, with no public university option.
SPU charges KES 250,600/year, which is relatively expensive for a theology programme.
Theology jobs may have lower salaries compared to other professional fields.
Dissertation fee of KES 99,000 is charged once in the final year, adding to overall cost.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private251k to 310k

251k at St. Paul's University310k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 220.5K/yr(keguide). Maseno ~118K/yr(yumpu). SPU 125.3K/sem*2(official). CUEA 620.75K/2yr(tuko)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. St. Paul's University offers scholarship opportunities for MTh in Ecumenical Leadership. WCC and AACC may offer fellowships for theological research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
WCC Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
SPU Ecumenical Leadership Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 250,600Kenyan
St. Paul's University offers scholarship opportunities for MTh in Ecumenical Leadership.
WCC Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
WCC and AACC may offer fellowships for theological research and education.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: St. Paul's University and CUEA require at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant degree. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant work experience. A GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may also be accepted. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, theological essays, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering systematic theology, philosophical theology, biblical studies, and church history.
Seminar Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through seminars, demonstrating theological discussion, critical analysis, and presentation skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a systematic theology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and theological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). St. Paul's University (private) offers Master of Theology with specialisation in Systematic Theology. CUEA (private) offers Master of Theology with specialisations including Dogmatic Theology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in theology. Graduates may interact with WCC for ecumenical standards and AACC for regional church standards. The programme aligns with CUE and WCC global theological education frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. St. Paul's University (private) offers Master of Theology with specialisation in Systematic Theology. CUEA (private) offers Master of Theology with specialisations including Dogmatic Theology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in theology. Graduates may interact with WCC for ecumenical standards and AACC for regional church standards. The programme aligns with CUE and WCC global theological education frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Theologian
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Conducts theological research, covering theologian, theology, research, doctrine, and managing theological research and scholarship.
Clergy
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Serves in church leadership, covering clergy, church, leadership, ministry, and managing church leadership and ministry.
Religious Educator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Teaches religious education, covering religious, educator, education, theology, and managing religious education and teaching.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides chaplaincy services, covering chaplain, chaplaincy, pastoral, counselling, and managing chaplaincy and pastoral care.
Theological Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 320,000
Conducts theological research, covering theological, researcher, research, analysis, and managing theological research and analysis.
Theology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Teaches theology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Bible Software (Logos)
SoftwarePrimary
Logos Bible Software for biblical exegesis and theological research, covering Bible, software, exegesis, research, and managing biblical exegesis and research.
Accordance Bible Software
Software
Accordance for biblical studies and original language analysis, covering Bible, Greek, Hebrew, analysis, and managing biblical language analysis.
Zotero
Software
Zotero for theological research citation management, covering citation, research, management, theology, and managing research citations and references.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for theological research data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, theology, and managing theological research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Systemic theology is just about memorising doctrine.
Systematic theology covers philosophical analysis, ethical reasoning, biblical interpretation, and contemporary theological issues beyond just memorising doctrine.
This programme is only for clergy.
Systematic theology is for professionals from education, philosophy, social sciences, and related fields, not just clergy.
Theology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Theology graduates are in demand in churches, theological institutions, universities, schools, and faith-based organisations.
This programme is the same as religious studies.
Systematic theology focuses on doctrinal systematisation and philosophical theology, while religious studies covers broader comparative religion.
Systematic theology is outdated and irrelevant.
Modern systematic theology incorporates gender theology, social justice, and contemporary ethical issues alongside traditional doctrine.
You need to be ordained to study this programme.
The programme is accessible to lay persons, academics, and church workers seeking theological specialisation, not just ordained clergy.