Would you like to study Christian theology in the Middle East? Come to Egypt! The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo offers some excellent opportunities to study theology in Cairo for which you need to know English rather than Arabic.
1. Master in Biblical Studies, Christianity in the Middle East, or Systematic Theology
If you have already a first theological degree and are serious about studying further, you may be admitted to the ETSC Master’s program, which offers three tracks:
- Biblical Studies
- Christianity in the Middle East
- Systematic Theology
The Master’s program can be studied as a one year full-time program or a two-year part-time program. Students who study elsewhere can also come to Cairo for one semester and ask for transfer of their credit to their home institution. A Norwegian theologian writes on Facebook:
Recommended! A few years ago I spent one semester at ETSC as a part of my master of theology. It was a great time!
For more information, download the pdf-brochure (please note that the brochure does not yet mention the systematic theology track and the full-time option, but that they will be offered from September 2012 onwards). For informal information requests, you can send an e-mail to Dr. Willem J. de Wit (willemjdewit at hotmail dot com), who has taught many courses in the master’s program.
For official information requests and applications, please, contact Dr. Mark Nygard, the ETSC director of graduate studies (mark at etsc dot org). Please, note that the due date for applications for the new academic year is June 15, but that it is highly desirable that you make your interest known as early as possible.
2. Master in Organizational Leadership and Management
In cooperation with Development Associates International, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo offers a three-year part-time master program in Organizational Leadership and Management. Contact Dr. Mark Nygard (mark at etsc dot org) for more information.
3. Auditing (Listening)
If you are not interested in academic credit, but are interested to listening to some good theology in English in Egypt, you may explore the possibilities to audit (attend as a listener) a master’s course in fall or spring or an undergraduate course with a (usually famous) foreign professor in January or the bi-weekly scholars’ seminar (by invitation). Contact Dr. Mark Nygard (mark at etsc dot org) for more information.
Additional Benefits of Studying at ETSC
For theologians Egypt is an extraordinary special country: it is the “second land” of the Bible, numerous temples remind one of the ancient Egyptian religion, and there are more monastries and mosques and musea than that one can reasonably visit within a year. And who becomes good friends with Egyptian students of theology runs the risk of being invited to leave bustling Cairo for a visit to an Upper-Egyptian village for a couple of days.
The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo is usually able to provide on-campus accommodation for foreign students. As of Spring 2012, a new metro (subway) line connects the seminary to Attaba square in downtown Cairo, from where you can start exploring this extra-ordinary city. By the way, for even deeper immersion in Egyptian culture, you may consider to combine your studies at ETSC with an Arabic course at one of the many language schools in Cairo.
Disclaimer: this post has been written by Willem J. de Wit to give you a taste of the possibilities at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. It is not an official seminary page and no rights can be derived from it. For more information, download the Master brochure, go to the ETSC website, or send an e-mail to Dr. Mark Nygard (masters@etsc.org).
PS: Rev. Jon Aalborg (Norway) commented on an earlier version of this post:
As an ETSC alumnus (MEC class of 2007) I highly recommend the experience and the opportunity for immersion in the ME religious landscape. The Middle Eastern Christianity course is maybe particularly “different” in this regard. My MA degree in Theology degree (MEC) from there has decisively shaped me as a theologian and a human being.
As a Norwegian I would also add that the Norwegian agency for quality in education (NOKUT) has approved my full MA study points from the ETSC.
