Master of Divinity

CRICOS 063710D

About this course

The Master of Divinity course is designed for two categories of candidates: 

i. those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who seek a comprehensive education in theology comparable in breadth and depth to the Bachelor of Theology, including a deeper biblical and theological understanding, spiritual formation, and cultural literacy that will prepare them for ordained or other professional ministry in church, parachurch or non-profit organisations, and other similar vocational settings

ii. those who hold a tertiary qualification in a theological discipline who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology as part of their continuing ministerial education.

The award provides a systematic and comprehensive study of theological and related disciplines through a structure of specialisations. Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning and the ability to apply such knowledge and skills in a theologically-related area. 

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 216 (24 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 9

Handbook
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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community
  • VIC
  • Domestic
Nazarene Theological College
  • QLD
  • Domestic
  • International
Olivet Theological Seminary
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Perth Bible College
  • WA
  • Domestic
  • International
Planetshakers College
  • VIC
  • Domestic
  • International
St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College
  • NSW
  • Domestic
  • International
St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Master of Divinity requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of a three-year AQF Level 7 or 8 award in any discipline (or equivalent) from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; AND
  • Satisfactory completion of 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 7.0 with no score less than 6.5 in all bands of the test.

Every student program for the Master of Divinity will consist of no fewer than 216 credit points.

 

Every program will include either two specialisations and one subspecialisation or one specialisation and two subspecialisations:

  • A specialisation in a requires 54 credit points from units assigned to the specialisation, with a minimum of 18 credit points from 9200 series units.
  • A specialisation in a subdiscipline requires 54 credit points from the subdiscipline, with a minimum of 18 credit points from 9200 series units.
  • A specialisation in a discipline requires 54 credit points from the discipline, with at least 27 credit points in one subdiscipline, with a minimum of 18 credit points from 9200 series units.
  • A subspecialisation in a discipline or subdiscipline requires 36 credit points from the units assigned to the discipline or subdiscipline, including no more than 18 credit points from 8100 series units or up to 36 credit points from 9200 series units.

 

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

 

All course units will be taken from 8100 and 9200 series units in the Schedule of Units of Study.

 

Every program will include:

  • a minimum of 72 credit points in 9200 series units;
  • not more than 72 credit points from Philosophy;
  • at least a subspecialisation from Biblical Studies;
  • students completing a specialisation in Biblical Studies must also complete at least 18 cps (2 units) in Biblical languages which are in addition to the 54 cps (6 units) required for the specialisation;
  • at least a subspecialisation from Systematic Theology;
  • at least one unit in Church History;
  • at least a total of 36 credit points from the following subdisciplines: Christian Ethics, Christian Spirituality, Pastoral Counselling, Worship & Liturgy, Mission, Pastoral Theology;
  • not more than 108 credit points in Pastoral Theology;
  • at least one 9200 series Generic Research unit;
  • A candidate may take up to a maximum of 36 credit points in units listed as Generic (Research) units in the Schedule of Units of Study with a maximum of 18 credit points in Independent Guided Study units, 18 credit points in Research Project units, and 18 credit points as a Research Essay. Students who transfer from the Master of Divinity to either the Master of Arts or the Master of Theology cannot exceed this limit in total across both programs.
Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge in some theologically-related disciplines or areas of practice, including the extended understanding of recent developments in the theology and/or theological practice;
  • understanding research principles and methods applicable to these theological disciplines and their practice.

 

Skills

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

  • analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with a theologically-related body of knowledge;
  • research and apply established theories to a theologically-related body of knowledge or practice;
  • interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained argument to specialist and non-specialist audiences in relation to a theologically-related body of knowledge.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability, and accountability as a practitioner and/or learner in relation to the inter-dependent building up of the church and good of the wider community;
  • plan and execute a research-based project, and/or piece of scholarship in an area of theology.

 

Exit Points

A range of exit points are available from the Master of Divinity. These include the Graduate Certificate in Arts, Graduate Diploma of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Theology. For these to be available, the student must complete units that met the requirements of the exiting award. 

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 108 credit points in the Master of Divinity.

 

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 Master of Divinity.

 

Credit can be also granted when a candidate holds the Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor of Theology or equivalent degree up to a maximum of 54 credit points for Bachelor of Theology or equivalent units (where the outcomes, content demand hours and assessment are comparable to those of the Sydney College of Divinity Bachelor of Theology units) with a grade of at least 70%. 

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who complete the Master of Divinity may articulate into the Master of Philosophy at the University College. Admission into the Master of Philosophy award would require a completed Master of Divinity which includes an 18 credit point Research Project or Essay with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

 

Admission into the Sydney College of Divinity Doctor of Ministry award would require a Master of Divinity with a GPA of 2.8 or higher including a Research Essay with a GPA of 2.8 or higher and the appropriate ministry experience.

 

Admission into the Sydney College of Divinity Doctor of Philosophy or Theology would require a completed Master of Divinity with a GPA of 3.0 or higher including a Research Essay with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

 

The Master of Divinity 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 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]