Master of Leadership

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

The eight units shall include:

Two compulsory units (18 credit points)

• P8155 Foundations of Christian Leadership and
• P8107 Non-Profit Governance for Ministry;

Three core units (27 credit points) taken from the list of approved Master of Leadership core units in the Schedule below; 

One Leadership Practice unit (9 or 18 credit points) focused on leadership practice in the context of a place of work, ministry or mission through research, self-guided study, or field study (this may be a capstone unit, research project, research essay, independent guided study, site visit, field placement or action research project) from the list in the Schedule below;

Further elective units (up to 36 credit points) from the 8100 and 9200 series in the Sydney College of Divinity Schedule of Units.

If either of the two compulsory units have been completed in the award used for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Leadership, they are to be replaced with one or two elective units respectively.

The program must include at least two 9200-series 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.

Units from the entry Graduate Certificate (or Graduate Diploma), if equivalent to units required for the award, may be considered for inclusion as core units and in the forming of any specialisation (54 credit points, including at least two 9200 level units) or sub-specialisation (36 credit points) within the Master of Leadership.

Candidates who have previously studied a Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Ministry or equivalent may not enrol in units with content similar to those covered in their previous studies. 

Master of Leadership core units

Compulsory Units

• P8155 Foundations of Christian Leadership
• P8107 Non-Profit Governance for Ministry

Core Units

Leadership Practice Units

Units focused on leadership practice in the context of a place of work, ministry or mission through research, self-guided study, or field study:

• M8128 Engaging in Inter-Cultural Ministry 
• X8194 Fieldwork 
• X9296 Research Project (9 credit points) 
• X9297 Research Project (18 credit points) 
• X9293 Independent Guided Study (9 credit points) 
• X9294 Independent Guided Study (18 credit points) 
• X9298 Research Essay (18 credit points) 
• X9292 Seminar (9 credit points) 
• X9295 Action Research Project (18 credit points) 
• X9290 Capstone Unit (9credit points)

Knowledge

Graduates will have:

• an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge related to the practice of leadership particular to the management and governance of a complex religious, non-profit, ministry enterprise;
• an expert 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, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with leadership in a ministry related context;
• implement with discrimination established leadership theories to provide solutions for the effective governance, management and operations of a religious, non-profit, community organisation;
• interpret and 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 initiative, 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

Candidates enrolled in the Master of Leadership may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Leadership (36 credit points).

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 18 credit points in the Master 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.

Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application.

The Master 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.

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]