Master of Arts

CRICOS 063708J

About this course

The Master of Arts (MA) is an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) award. The course is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a theological discipline who wish to pursue a further qualification in theology as part of their continuing education for ministry. The award provides a study of theological and related disciplines through a structure of specialisations.

The Master of Arts is classified into one of two categories, Category 1 and Category 2.

Category 1
Candidates require an AQF Level 8 award in Theology or Ministry for entry into the course.
The duration of the course is 1 year full-time or 3 years part-time.
Candidates will require 72 credit points in units to complete the course.

Category 2
Candidates with an AQF Level 7 award in Theology or Ministry for entry into the course.
The duration of the course is 1.5 years full-time or 4.5 years part-time.
Candidates will require 108 credit points in units to complete the course.

Australia Student Visa holders are required to study full-time (at least two-thirds face-to-face).

Course Details

Admission to the  Master of Arts requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of either a three-year AQF Level 7 or AQF Level 8 award in the discipline of Theology or Ministry.

 

The Master of Arts is classified into one of two categories:

 

Category 1: For candidates holding an AQF Level 8 award in Theology or Ministry

 

Category 2: For candidates with an AQF Level 7 award in Theology or Ministry

 

Applicants who hold a Vocational Graduate Diploma (VET accredited) or Vocational Graduate Certificate (VET accredited) may be granted provisional admission into Category 2.

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 in all bands of the test.

The Master of Arts degree requires candidates to complete course units taken from the Sydney College of Divinity Schedule of Units of Study in the 8100 and 9200 series.

 

The Master of Arts requires candidates to complete credit points as follows:

 

Category 1:  72 credit points in units whose content is not similar to those covered in their previous studies.

 

Category 2: 108 credit points in units whose content is not similar to those covered in their previous studies.

 

The course may be taken with or without a specialisation.

Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge in one or more theologically-related disciplines or areas of practice, including recent developments in the theological disciplines and/or their practice,
  • understanding research principles and methods applicable to these theological disciplines and their practice

 

Skills

Graduates will have expert cognitive and technical skills in a theologically-related body of knowledge, so that they are able independently to:

  • analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with a theologically-related body of knowledge,
  • research and apply established theories to a theologically-related body of knowledge or practice,
  • interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained argument to specialist and non-specialist audiences in relation to a theologically-related body of knowledge.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability, and accountability as a practitioner and/or learner in relation to the inter-dependent building up of the church and good of the wider community,
  • plan and execute a research-based project, and/or piece of scholarship in an area of theology.

Category 1: A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the 8 unit Master of Arts (1 year).

 

Category 2: A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 54 credit points in the 12 unit Master of Arts (1.5 years).

 

Credit can only be granted for units at the graduate level, that are from an equivalent award or institution and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the Sydney College of Divinity award.

 

Exit Points

The Master of Arts has nested within it the Graduate Certificate in Arts and the Graduate Diploma of Arts.

  • Graduate Certificate in Arts  requires 36 credit points
  • Graduate Diploma of Arts requires 72 credit points

The Master of Arts is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery, and timetable.

 

A student at Sydney College of Divinity is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or the equivalent in a trimester. Sydney College of Divinity offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering Sydney College of Divinity awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

International students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment of 4 units (36 credit points) per semester, including a minimum of one unit per semester in face-to-face mode, and at least two-thirds of the total units in face-to-face mode. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times. Learn more about your responsibilities, rights and what studying in Australia can offer you. Not all our teaching institutions offer study programs for international students. Check out the locations and courses offered to international students.

 

For more information email us at [email protected]