Diploma of Worship Practice

About this course

The Diploma of Worship Practice provides students with introductory study designed for Christians seeking a foundation for informed participation in the worship ministry of a local church, para-church ministries, and in the wider community. It also provides some opportunity to gain knowledge and skills appropriate for practical church musicianship, multi-media roles, or worship space design but not necessarily of the breadth or depth required for a professional position. The award requires the completion of course units in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Christian Life and Ministry. 

The Diploma of Worship Practice provides students with the opportunity to undertake AQF Level 5 study in practical ministry-oriented disciplines. It is designed for those who have a less formal educational background or overall commitment than AQF Level 6 or 7 studies.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 5

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Delivered at

Nazarene Theological College
  • QLD
  • Domestic
  • International

Course Details

Admission to the Diploma of Worship Practice requires:

  • An Australian Tertiary Admission Rand (ATAR) of 65, or its equivalent (e.g. OP≤16); OR
  • Satisfactorily completed Year 10 (or equivalent) from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; OR
  • Mature Age Special Entry Admission for those who have reached the age of 21; OR
  • Have adequate grounds for Special Entry; AND
  • Satisfactorily complete 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) overall score of at least 6.0 with no subtest score below 5.5.

The Diploma of Work Practice requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) which shall include:

 

  • at least 9 credit points in Biblical Studies; and
  • at least 9 credit points in Theology; and
  • at least 18 credit points of approved supervised ministry units with a focus on hands-on worship practice; and
  • a further 36 credit points chosen from approved core units

 

All course units will be taken from the Sydney College of Divinity Schedule of units of study coded within the 5100 series.

 

This award contains a unit or units of study that fulfils a mandatory training component that is face to face and on-site at a nominated location (e.g. work-based, site field work, internship, placement). For appropriate delivery of such units, the Sydney College of Divinity Workplace Learning Policy must be followed.

 

SCHEDULE

 

A. TWO compulsory units (9 credit points each).

  • B5109 Biblical Foundations of Worship
  • T5124 Theology of Worship in its Cultural Setting

 

B. Choose ONE Core 18 credit points unit (one additional 18 credit points unit may be taken in place of 2 core 9 credit points units).

 

  • L5177 Supervised Ministry in Church Visual Arts
  • L5178 Supervised Ministry in Technology in Liturgical Worship
  • L5179 Supervised Ministry in Vocal or Instrumental Musicianship in Worship
  • P5167 Supervised Ministry in Visual Arts in Worship
  • P5168 Supervised Ministry in Audio and Multi-Media Resources in Worship
  • P5169 Supervised Ministry in Practical Church Musicianship 

 

C. Choose FOUR Core Units (or a SECOND Supervised Ministry [B] and TWO units) (9 credit points each).

  • P5163 Introduction to Christian Song Writing
  • P5164 Worship Planning: Regular Sunday Services
  • P5165 Worship Planning: Sacraments and Special Services
  • P5166 Leading the Church in Worship
  • L5172 Worship Space Design
  • L5173 Introduction to the Composition of Liturgical Music
  • L5174 Planning the Liturgy: Regular Sunday Services
  • L5175 Planning the Liturgy: Sacraments and Special Services
  • L5176 Leading Christian Liturgy
Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts with introductory knowledgein Biblical Studies, Theology, and Christian Life and Ministry;
  • wider experience of practical worship 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 about Christian worship from a range of foundational sources;
  • express ideas and perspectives related to Christian worship;
  • communicate worship-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 Worship;
  • perform technical operations within Christian Worship that have some complexity, taking personal responsibility for them;
  • organise, with initiative and judgment, the work of self and others, and plan, coordinate, and evaluate the work of worship and media 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 Worship 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 Diploma of Worship Practice.

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who complete the Diploma of Worship Practice and desire to undertake the Bachelor of Ministry or Bachelor of Theology will receive credit awarded to equivalent Bachelor units for Diploma units 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 Diploma of Worship 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 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]