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.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 6

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Nisibis Assyrian Theological College
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Planetshakers College
  • VIC
  • Domestic
  • International

Course Details

Admission to the Associate Degree of Arts requires:

  •  An Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 65, or its equivalent (e.g. OP≤16); OR
  • Satisfactorily completed 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. A student can be admitted provisionally into the Award Name when they have an IELTS result of 6.0 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):

  • A6176 Faith, Texts and Meaning

 

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

  • E6100 Christian Ethics OR;
  • H61xx Introduction to Church History OR;
  • S61xx Introduction to Christian Spirituality

 

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

  • A61xx Critical Thinking and Writing in Theological Studies OR;
  • A6xx Introduction to Biblical Languages OR;
  • A62xx The Art of Persuasion, Ancient and Modern

 

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

  • with a further 27 credit points (three units) chosen from SCD

 

Course units shall normally be taken from SCD units coded within the 6100 series and above. All specified units may be substituted with the corresponding unit at AQF 7. AQF 5 Units credited towards the Associate Degree of Arts may be used to satisfy the requirements of an Area of Focus.

 

SCHEDULE A: AREAS OF FOCUS

The SCD Associate Degree of Arts requires an ‘Area of Focus’. An Area of Focus consists of 2 units (18cp) which have a defined coherence. They may be from the same (sub)discipline, or interdisciplinary units that contribute to a field of study with a defined coherence.

 

For the Associate Degree of Arts, Units coded “A” may be included in an Area of Focus. AQF 5 Units credited towards the Associate Degree may be used to satisfy the requirements of an Area of Focus. Not all Areas of Focus are available at all Member Institutions. However, students may be able to complete a desired Area of Focus by completing units offered at another Member Institution.

 

Areas of Focus may vary from time to time, depending upon the offerings of the Member Institutions, or the interests of students.

 

Areas of Focus (Examples)

  1. Leadership and Society
  2. Christianity and Human Services
  3. Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy
  4. Event Management
  5. Theological Studies (Bible and Theology)
  6. Christianity and Creative Arts
  7. Theological Heritage and Human Cultures
  8. Christian Worship
  9. Linguistics, Language, Texts and Translation
  10. Religious Experience and Spirituality
  11. Patristic Thought and Contemporary Culture
  12. Media and Communication
  13. Christianity and Education
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.

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who complete the Associate Degree of Arts and desire to undertake the Bachelor of Arts, or another SCD 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 SCD Student Support and Administration Committee. 

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Associate Degree of Arts in accordance with the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

 

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.

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 [email protected]