Diploma of Ministry

About this course

The Diploma of Ministry (DipMin) is an AQF Level 5 award. It provides students with the opportunity to undertake study in practical ministry-oriented disciplines. It is designed for those who have a less formal educational background than those undertaking the BTh or BMin awards, or those who are seeking an award requiring less overall commitment than AQF Level 6 or 7 studies.

The Diploma of Ministry provides students with an introductory study designed for Christians seeking a foundation for informed participation in the local church, para-church ministries, and the wider community. It also provides some opportunity to gain knowledge and skills appropriate for practical Christian ministry but not necessarily of the breadth or depth required for professional ministry.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

Course Details

Admission to the Diploma of Ministry requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of Year 12 in the Australian school system, or its equivalent; OR
  • Mature Age and Special Entry Admission for those with evidence of capacity for successful study at this level.

 

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) overall score of at least 6.0 with no subtest below 5.5.

The Diploma of Ministry requires the completion of 72 credit points which shall include:

 

  • at least 9 credit points in Biblical Studies;
  • at least 9 credit points in Theology;
  • at least 36 credit points in Christian Life and Ministry of which at least 18 credit points are Supervised Ministry (or units with the equivalent focus of hands-on ministry practice);
  • a further 18 credit points chosen from approved units.

 

All course units shall be taken from the Sydney College of Divinity units coded within the 5000 series.

Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts with introductory knowledge in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Christian Life and Ministry,
  • wider experience of practical ministry generally that will form the basis for further learning.

 

Skills

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

  • identify, analyse, and act on ministry-oriented information from a range of foundational sources,
  • express ideas and perspectives related to Christian faith,
  • communicate ministry-related knowledge, skills, and ideas to others.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of theological knowledge by applying it in Christian ministry,
  • perform technical operations within Christian ministry that have some complexity, taking personal responsibility for them,
  • organise, with initiative and judgement, the work of self and others, and plan, coordinate, and evaluate the work of teams (within broad but generally well-defined parameters).

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Diploma of Ministry.

 

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 Diploma of Ministry.

 

Articulation to other awards

Students who complete the Diploma of Ministry and desire to undertake the Bachelor of Ministry or Bachelor of Theology will receive a block of 45 credit points distributed according to the units completed in this Diploma of Ministry.

 

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

Students interested in enrolling should contact the college delivering the course for 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 for 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]