Bachelor of Arts

About this course

The Bachelor of Arts course is a primary undergraduate award that provides a broad and coherent study in the humanities and traditional theological disciplines. This degree prepares candidates to take their place in Australian society, in both personal and professional life, with a profound appreciation of Christian heritage, theology, philosophy and practice, in service of the contemporary world. It also prepares for further learning beyond the degree in other more specialised fields of study.

Anchored in Christian heritage, theology, philosophy, and practice, and focused upon the contemporary human interest, the graduate of the Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor of Arts will be equipped for a broad range of career choices and grounded in pathways into more specialised study. Graduates from the Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor of Arts will be suited for careers within spheres appreciative of Christian heritage, theology, philosophy and practice. Drawing upon that heritage, their critical Christian thinking and reflective engagement with contemporary human interests will also equip graduates to make a significant and critical contribution in other spheres of employment and societal life.

The graduate of the Bachelor of Arts will be a critical and reflective thinker, anchored in the Christian heritage and focused upon the interests of human beings in the contemporary world.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 216 (24 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 7

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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 Bachelor of Arts requires:

  • An Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 65, or its equivalent (e.g. OP≤16); OR
  • Satisfactorily completed Year 12 (or 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 require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in all bands of the test.

The Bachelor of Arts requires the completion of 216 credit points (24 units) which shall include:


18 credit points of Compulsory units:
(a) 9 credit point ‘Worldview’ unit, selected from:

  • A7151 Christian Worldview OR
  • A7101 Introduction to Theology (or T7105 Introduction to Christian Doctrine) OR
  • T7140 Theology of Mission;

AND

9 credit point ‘Texts and Interpretation’ Unit, selected from:

  • A7176 Faith, Texts, and Meaning OR
  • B7203 Biblical Hermeneutics OR
  • B7200 Biblical Theology Method and Meaning.

 

Four core units from Schedule A (36 credit points);

 

An Area of Focus consisting of:

  • 54 credit points (6 units), which may be
  • interdisciplinary, and must include no more than 27 credit
  • points of 7100 units, AND

 

ONE 9 credit point capstone unit

  • Either: X7290 Capstone in [Discipline]; OR
  • X7284 Fieldwork Capstone in [Area]

 

Electives (99 credit points) no more than 18 credit points of 7100 units which may be selected from any (sub)discipline

 

Additional elective units as required to complete the award from the suite of available University College units may be selected to constitute a second Area of Focus.

 

SCHEDULE A: CORE UNITS

FOUR units to be taken from the following, with at least one from each section:

 

a) Biblical Studies and Theology:

  • B7101 Introduction to Biblical Studies OR
  • B7110 Introduction to the Old Testament AND/OR
  • B7150 Introduction to the New Testament.
  • T7101 Introduction to Theology OR
  • T7105 Introduction to Christian Doctrines
  • T7140 Theology of Mission
  • T7210 Person and Work of Christ

 

b) Christian Thought and Experience:

  • A7100 Critical Thinking and Writing in Theological Studies
  • Any University College Introductory Biblical Language unit level 71
  • A7151 Christian World View
  • A7176 Faith Text and Meaning
  • A7200 The Art of Persuasion, Ancient and Modern
  • D7140 Introduction to Christian Education
  • E7100 Sources and Principles of Christian Ethics
  • H7110 Introduction to Church History
  • S7102 Introduction to Christian Spirituality
  • T7204 Christian Apologetics
  • T7216 Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
  • W7110 Ancient and Early Medieval Philosophy

 

SCHEDULE B: AREAS OF FOCUS

The following are the Areas of Focus:

1. Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy

2. Event Management

3. Bible and Theology

4. Music and Worship

5. Visual Communication and Media

Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • a broad and coherent grounding in Christian thought and tradition, with a particular focus area in the humanities, that will form the basis for independent lifelong learning.

 

Skills

Graduates will have: 

  • cognitive and technical skills in drawing upon the rich theological, philosophical, and practical resources of the Christian heritage to interact within the humanities, so that they are able independently:
  • review, reflect on, and theologically and philosophically synthesise issues facing human beings and society, and identify and provide solutions to complex problems;
  • think critically with some theological sophistication and generate and evaluate complex ideas;
  • demonstrate an understanding of theoretical theological and philosophical concepts and their practical outcomes in the context of the humanities;
  • communicate humanities-oriented knowledge, skills and ideas clearly and coherently.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the knowledge of God and humanity by applying it creatively in human life and society;
  • make high level, independent and Christian judgments in a range of life settings;
  • initiate, plan, and implement activities and projects in continuity with Christian tradition within a range of life settings.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts may exit with a Diploma of Arts provided they have completed at least 72 credit points. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts may exit with an Associate Degree Arts provided they have completed at least 144 credit points.

Articulating students with an AQF 6 Associate Degree of Arts from an institution approved by the Academic Board may receive maximum of 144 credit points in the Bachelor of Arts.

 

Candidates from other institutions or with other awards may seek credit up to a maximum of 144 credit points in the Bachelor 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 Bachelor of Arts.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.
The Bachelor 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