MTh Award Summary

Master of Theology (MTh)
CRICOS : 063709G

AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework)
Entry Requirements A three-year AQF Level 7 award in the discipline of theology.
Duration          1.5 years (three semesters) full-time or 4.5 years (nine semesters) part-time
Mode           Full-time, Part-time
International students on an Australian student visa are required to study full-time.
Structure 108 credit points (12 units), including either a discipline or subdiscipline specialisation of 54 credit points (6 units), or at least 27 credit points (3 units) in two disciplines or subdisciplines.
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 in all bands of the test.

Admission

Students should contact the Registrar of the teaching college for enrolment and fee details.

Master of Theology (MTh) is offered at:

Graduate Profile and Rationale

The Master of Theology is a coursework program designed for those who hold at least a Bachelor of Theology (or equivalent) and who wish to pursue theological studies in greater depth and with greater rigour. It includes either a specialisation of 54 credit points (6 units) in one discipline or subdiscipline, or at least 27 credit points (3 units) in two or more disciplines or subdisciplines (see Academic Regulations section 2.3.1), along with the opportunity for a focused research project.

Outcomes

Graduates will have advanced knowledge and skills in relation to theology and its related disciplines, enabling them to undertake research and/or to engage in professional practice, and/or to continue life-long learning.

Knowledge

Graduates will have

    • A deep and integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge in one or more theologically related disciplines or areas of practice, with a solid grasp of recent developments in those subdisciplines and areas of practice;
    • an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to theological investigation and practice.

Skills

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

    • analyse critically, reflect on and synthesize 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;
    • apply specialised and creative skills for Christian living and ministry;
    • 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 judgement, adaptability, and accountability as a practitioner or learner in relation to one or more theological disciplines, with a view to the building up of the church and the good of the wider community;
    • plan and execute a substantial research-based project, and/or piece of independent study in an area of theology.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS for the Master of Theology

1 Admission to Candidature
1.1 An applicant for admission to candidature for the Master of Theology will:
1.1.1 have completed a 3-year AQF level 7 award in the discipline of theology; or
1.1.2 hold, from a university or other tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the Student Support and Administration Committee as equivalent to a three-year AQF level 7 award in the discipline of theology.
1.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of this regulation, the Student Support and Administration Committee may require an applicant to demonstrate fitness for admission as a candidate for this degree by carrying out such work and/or sitting for such examinations as the Student Support and Administration Committee may determine.
1.3 In exceptional cases, an applicant may be admitted as a candidate for a Master of Theology Studies, if the applicant submits evidence of other academic and professional attainments to the Student Support and Administration Committee.
1.4 A Candidate for the award will be designated as full-time or part-time. A student is designated as full-time if enrolled in 27 credit points or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than 27 credit points per semester.
1.5 No candidate for the award may be concurrently enrolled in any other undergraduate or postgraduate course within the Sydney College of Divinity or any other tertiary institution, unless approval has been granted by the Academic Board.
1.6 Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction will normally be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS (or equivalent) result of 7.0 in all bands of the test, and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
1.7 Application for admission to the Master of Theology program is made to the Registrar of the appropriate Teaching Body offering the program.
2 Course Structure
2.1 The Master of Theology requires the completion of 108 credit points.
2.2 Every program for the award will include:
2.2.1 Either a specialisation (54 credit points) in a discipline or subdiscipline; OR
2.2.2 At least 27 credit points in two or more disciplines or subdisciplines.
2.2.3 At least one 9200 series Generic Research unit;
2.2.4 Not more than 90 credit points in one subdiscipline, including a Research Essay, but not including the Research Methodology unit;
2.2.5 Not more than 18 credit points in Independent Guided Studies without the approval of the Academic Board.
2.3 A specialisation in a subdiscipline requires 54 credit points from the subdiscipline.
A specialisation in a discipline requires 54 credit points from the discipline, with at least 27 credit points in one subdiscipline.
2.3.1 Specialisations are as follows:

Discipline Subdisciplines Specialisations
Biblical Studies Biblical Studies
Christian Life & Ministry Christian Spirituality (S)
Mission (M)
Pastoral Counselling (C)
Pastoral Theology (P)		 Christian Life & Ministry  (discipline)
Christian Spirituality
Mission
Pastoral Counselling
Pastoral Theology
Humanities in the Christian Tradition Church History (H)
Philosophy (W)
Theological Education (D)		 Humanities in the Christian Tradition (discipline)
Church History
Philosophy
Theological Education
Theology Christian Ethics (E)
Systematic Theology (T)
Worship & Liturgy (L)		 Theology (discipline)
Christian Ethics
Systematic Theology
Worship & Liturgy
2.4 In addition:
2.4.1 Up to 36 cps (4 units) may be taken from the 8100 series (including 8100 series language units).
2.4.2 The 8100-series Research Methodology Unit (9 credit points) may be taken in addition to the 36 cps from the 8100 series referred to in 2.4.1.
2.4.3 All other course units will be taken from the 9200-series units in the Schedule of Units of Study.
2.4.4 A candidate may take a maximum of 54 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 36 credit points as a Research Essay. Students who transfer from the MTh to either the MDiv or the MA cannot exceed this limit in total across both programs.
2.4.5 A candidate may include 18 credit points in the Research Essay (10,000-12,000 words in length and written in the area of specialisation under supervision) providing the candidate completes an 8100-series Research Methodology Unit (9 credit points) before or concurrently with the Research Project.
2.5 Units coded “A” are not counted towards a specialisation in any discipline or subdiscipline.
2.6 Candidates who enter the program from a BTh or equivalent cannot enrol in units with content similar to those covered in their previous studies.
2.7 Candidates wishing to proceed to the degree of Master of Philosophy must include one 18 credit point research unit, or two 9 credit point research units at Distinction level.
3 Period of Candidature
3.1 The period of candidature for the award will normally be 1.5 years (3 semesters) full-time, and up to 4.5 years (9 semesters) part-time.
3.2 In certain circumstances, the Student Support and Administration Committee may grant extensions to the period of candidature.
4 Leave of Absence
4.1 The Student Support and Administration Committee may grant leave of absence from the Master of Theology. The period of leave will not be counted as part of the period of candidature for the award.
4.2 The period of leave will normally be one semester, after which a candidate may apply for a further period of one semester or will be required to complete candidature.
5 Assessment
5.1 The assessment of subject units will be in the manner approved by the Academic Board, in line with the College’s established guidelines.
5.2 Academic Board may require students to present themselves for oral examination.
5.3 Academic and non-academic misconduct will be penalised in accordance with the regulations of the Sydney College of Divinity, whose stipulations are severe.
6 Credits
6.1 A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 54 credit points in the Master of Theology.
6.1 Credit can only be granted for Bible and Theology units at the graduate level, that are from an equivalent award or institution, and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the SCD award.
7  Saving Clause
7.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity may, in any case in which it may deem it appropriate to do so, vary, dispense with or suspend any requirement or prescription by these regulations, and report forthwith to the Council of the Sydney College of Divinity.

 

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