Graduate Diploma of Leadership

CRICOS 107377M

About this course

The Graduate Diploma of Leadership is designed for those possessing a three-year undergraduate degree in the field of philosophy and religious studies who wish to pursue a further qualification an area of leadership focus as part of their continuing education for ministry.

The Graduate Diploma of Leadership focusses on building leadership capacity for people involved in a wide scope of religious, non-profit, community-focused enterprises. Students may be working for denominationally based organisations in education, welfare, aged care, local church or other ministries requiring specific leadership training for ministry or mission. 

Graduates will have added particular knowledge and skills in leadership to their theological education to enhance their work in the religious sector.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 8

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Planetshakers College
  • VIC
  • Domestic
  • International
St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Graduate Diploma of Leadership requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor in the field of philosophy and religious studies (Australian Standard Classification of Education field 0917 – Philosophy and Religious Studies) from an institution recognised by Academic Board; OR
  • Satisfactory completion of an award from a university or other tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the Student Support and Administration Committee as equivalent to such an award; AND
  • Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.
  • Desirable but not mandatory – at least two years’ experience in a leadership role in an area aligned with the course’s focus, for example: church leadership, educational leadership within a religious school, ministry, and social services provided by a religious organisation.

 

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 at least 7.0 with no subtest below 6.5.

The Graduate Diploma Leadership and Theology requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) from 8100 and 9200 series units of the Sydney College of Divinity Schedule of Units.

 

The eight units shall include:

  • two compulsory units (18 credit points) P8155 Foundations of Christian Leadership and P8107 Non-Profiit Governance for Ministry;
  • two core units (18 credit points) taken from the list of approved Master of Leadership core units;
  • four elective units (36 credit points) from the 8100 and 9200 series in the University College Schedule of Units.

 

A specialisation comprises 4 units (36 credit points) from a list of units approved by the Academic Board.

 

Units coded “A” are not counted towards a specialisation in any discipline or subdiscipline.

Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an advanced level of theoretical and technical knowledge related to the practice of leadership particular to the management and governance of a complex religious, non-profit, ministry enterprise;
  • an advanced understanding of the principles of inquiry and methods applicable to leadership theory and their application to real-world ministry practice.

 

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate advanced specialised cognitive and technical skills in leadership within a ministry-related body of knowledge, so that they are able independently to:

  • analyse critically, evaluate, and apply information to complete a range of activities associated with leadership in a ministry related context;
  • analyse, generate and provide solutions to complex problems to guide the effective governance, management and operations of a religious, non-profit, community organisation;
  • transmit transferable knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained leadership to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

 Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply transferable knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates autonomy, well-developed judgment, adaptability, and responsibility as leaders in religious, not-for-profit, community-focused enterprises;
  • plan and execute an advanced research or field-based project in an area of work-based leadership.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Leadership may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Leadership, provided they have met the requirements of the award.

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

 

Credit can only 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 Sydney College of Divinity award.

 

No credit points will be awarded for Recognition of Prior Learning within the Graduate Diploma of Leadership and Theology.

 

Progress to Further Awards

The Graduate Diploma of Leadership articulates with the Master of Leadership. Students are eligible to articulate to the Master of Leadership on completion of which students are required to surrender their Graduate Diploma of Leadership. Credit will be given within the higher award for all units completed within the lower award.

The Graduate Diploma of Leadership 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.

 

In 2024 Nazarene Theological College is not currently accepting students into this award at the Queensland campus located at 40 Woodlands Dr, Thornlands QLD, 4164.  Please contact the SCD Academic Registrar for other location options ([email protected]).

 

In 2024 PlanetShakers College is not currently accepting students into this award at the Melbourne campus located at 129 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC, 3006.  Please contact the SCD Academic Registrar for other location options ([email protected]).

 

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]