Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice

The Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice requires the completion of 144 credit points:

• at least 18 credit points within the discipline of Biblical Studies;
• at least 18 credit points within the subdiscipline of Systematic Theology;
• at least one major (54 credit points) in the domain of Christian Thought (drawn from Biblical Studies, Theology, and Humanities in the Christian Tradition) or in the domain of Christian Practice (drawn from the Christian Life and Ministry discipline and its sub-disciplines).

A major is made up of 54 credit points from 7100 and 7200 series units, with not more than 18 credit points from 7100 series units. With the approval of the Academic Board, units may be chosen from the 8100 series of units.

All course units shall be taken from Sydney College of Divinity units coded within the 7100-7200 series, apart from Academic Board approvals.

Knowledge

Graduates will have a broad theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Christian Thought or in Christian Practice, with basic knowledge in Theology and Biblical Studies forming the basis for further learning.

Skills

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

• identify, analyse, and evaluate theological information and concepts from a range of sources;
• identify and provide solutions to complex problems;
• interpret and transmit responses to sometimes complex problems in theology;
• demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge and ideas, with some depth in theology;
• communicate clearly and coherently theologically-related knowledge, and ideas.

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

• use initiative and judgment to make plans, solve problems, and make decisions in para-professional ministry, demonstrating a broad understanding of knowledge by applying it creatively in ministry;
• adapt knowledge and skills in a range of ministry settings and/or for further studies in one or more disciplines;
• work in collaboration with others within broad parameters while exercising responsibility and accountability for own learning.

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice may exit with a Diploma of Christian Studies provided they have met the requirements of the Diploma award.

A candidate may seek credit for up to a maximum of 72 credit points in the Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice.

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 Christian Thought and Practice.

Articulation to other awards

The Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice is both a stand-alone award and a nested award in the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) and Bachelor of Ministry (BMin). As a result, it articulates directly into the Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Ministry. On completion of the BTh or BMin, the student will surrender their Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice. The exception would be if no credit was granted into the BTh or BMin for the units in the Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice.

The Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice 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 all information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery, and timetable.

A domestic 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 part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester. SCD offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering SCD 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 four units (36 credit points) per semester. 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, and for more information email us at [email protected]