Associate Degree of Arts

About this course

The Associate Degree of Arts prepares students to work in the multi-disciplinary environment of the humanities enriched by Christian heritage, theology, philosophy, and practice with a view to applying it in a range of contexts in human society. It also provides a pathway for further learning.

Graduates of the Associate Degree of Arts will have extensive transferable theological knowledge and skills to engage with areas of the humanities with a view to contemporary issues of human life together.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

Course Details

Admission to the Associate Degree of Arts requires:

  • An Australian Tertiary Admission Rand (ATAR) of 65, or its equivalent (e.g. OP≤16); OR
  • Satisfactorily completed a SCD Diploma of Arts, or its equivalent, from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; AND
  • Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally requires a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.0 in all bands of the test with no score less than 5.5 in all bands of the test.

The Associate Degree of Arts requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) which shall include:

 

One Compulsory Unit (9 credit points), to be selected from:

    • A6176 Faith Texts and Meaning
    • B6203 Biblical Hermeneutics
    • B6200 Biblical Theology: Method and Meaning.

 

9 credit points (one unit) in Christian Thought and Experience, selected from:

    • A6176 Faith Texts and Meaning
    • E6100 Christian Ethics
    • H6100 Introduction to Church History
    • S6102 Introduction to Christian Spirituality
    • T6210 Person and Work of Christ
    • T6216 Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

 

9 credit points (one unit) in Christian Communication, selected from:

  • A6100 Critical Thinking and Writing in Theological Studies
  • A6111 Introduction to Biblical Languages
  • A6200 The Art of Persuasion, Ancient and Modern;
  • B6200 Biblical Theology: Method and Meaning.

 

An area of focus consisting of 18 credit points (two units) (from Schedule A below);

 

A further 27 credit points (three units) of elective units chosen from the University College approved units.

 

Schedule A : Areas of Focus

 

The following are the Areas of Focus:

  1. Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy
  2. Event Management
  3. Theological Studies (Bible and Theology)
  4. Music and Worship
  5. Visual Communication and Media
Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of theological studies as applied to the humanities more broadly and to a specific focus area within the humanities. 

 

Skills

Graduates will have: 

  • a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to:
  • theologically analyse information to complete a range of activities within the humanities; 
  • interpret and transmit Christian solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems of human life and society; 
  • communicate information and skills to others with an impact upon issues of human life and society.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to: 

  • apply knowledge and skills gained through the interaction of Christian heritage, theology, philosophy, and practice, and aspects of the humanities to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility:
  • in human contexts that are subject to change;
  • within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions within those contexts.

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Associate Degree of Arts. 

 

Credit will be granted for units that are from an equivalent award or institution and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the Associate Degree of Arts.

 

Credit will not be granted for Compulsory units or to complete the requirements of the Area of Focus.

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who complete the Associate Degree of Arts and desire to undertake the Bachelor of Arts, or another Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor degree will receive direct credit for successfully completed AQF 7 units to equivalent Bachelor units, and for units at AQF 6 completed with a grade of Credit or higher; or subject to additional assessment requirements set by the Sydney College of Divinity Student Support and Administration Committee.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

The Associate Degree 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 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.

 

If you have any questions email us at scd@scd.edu.au