Auckland Park Theological Seminary (ATS) traces its origins to 1946, when a theological correspondence course was developed for the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church; it was formally registered as the AFM Bible College in 1956, became the Apostolic Faith Mission Theological College in 1970, and adopted its current name in 1997 when it opened beyond the AFM church. It describes itself as the oldest Pentecostal and charismatic theological seminary in Africa. Its campus is at 55 Richmond Avenue, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, and it also offers distance education. ATS specialises in Christ-centred, Bible-based Pentecostal/charismatic theological training, from vocational and higher certificates up to a Bachelor of Theology and Honours. It is registered as a private higher education institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET registration certificate 2020/HE08/001) and states that its Diploma in Theology is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Qualifications & Programmes
- Postgraduate: Bachelor of Theology Honours (BTh Hons)
- Postgraduate: Preliminary Bachelor of Theology Honours
- Undergraduate: Bachelor of Theology (BTh) – SAQA accredited, six theological disciplines plus Hebrew or Greek
- Diploma: Diploma in Theology – SAQA/CHE accredited, six theological disciplines across two semesters; provides access to Bachelor's study at NQF Level 7 and a BTh Bridge course
- Higher Certificate: Higher Certificate in Pastoral Counselling (NQF Level 5, 10 modules with a compulsory practical component)
- Higher Certificate: Higher Certificate in Youth Work (NQF Level 5, 8 modules of 15 credits each, theory plus mandatory practical work)
- Vocational Certificate (non-credit-bearing, no minimum admission requirements): Marketplace Minister Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Christian Counselling Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Entrepreneurship Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Small Group Leader Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Women in Ministry Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Youth Work Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Ministry during Retirement Certificate
- Vocational Certificate: Future-ready Youth Prep Course
- Standalone modules: Greek (language)
- Standalone modules: Hebrew (language)
- Note: ATS states that completing the BTh Honours gives access to a Master's in Theology (or equivalent) at NQF Level 9, but the current ATS website does not list an in-house Master's or Doctoral programme; historically (per third-party sources) ATS had a 2010 articulation agreement with North-West University for postgraduate study, though this is not confirmed on ATS's own site as currently active.