Course Structure

The course structure is based on four semesters, with 4 subjects taught in each semester, comprising:

• Core Subjects — 50 credit points
• Specialisation — 60 credit points
• Electives — 40 credit points
• Capstone subject — 10 credit points (20cp capstone subject and 30cp electives)

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Theological Studies a candidate shall complete at least 160 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Core / 5 Subjects (50 credit points)

• ACA401 Faith and Purpose
• BIB404 Old Testament Foundations
• BIB405 New Testament Foundations
• MIN401 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry
• THE405 Introduction to Theology

Specialisations / 6 subjects (60 credit points)

Students must specialise in one of the following discipline areas:

1. Biblical Studies (ANL/BIB)
2. Ministry and Mission (CCM/MIN/WOR)
3. Theology (THE)

60 credit points in relevant discipline area, which must include one of the following:

• BIB601 — Methods in Biblical Studies (20cp)
• MIN601 — Theory and Practice in Ministry (20cp)
• THE601 — Theologians: Method and Meaning (20cp)

Electives / 4 Subjects (40 credit points)

• 30 credit points at 400 level or above*
• 10 credit points at 500 level or above**

*Electives may be taken in the disciplines of Biblical Studies (BIB), Cross Cultural Ministry (CCM), History (HIS), Ministry (MIN), Theology (THE), or Worship Studies (WOR)

**Students undertaking RES501 do not have this requirement

Capstone / 1 Subject (10 credit points) (or 20cp capstone subject and 30cp electives)

• RES500 Independent Guided Research (10cp) or
• RES501 Research Project (20cp)***

***Students undertaking RES501 complete 10 fewer elective credit points

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 6.5 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

FEES & TIMETABLE

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Knowlegde

Demonstrated:

• advanced and integrated understanding of key issues and practices within the specialisations of: Biblical Studies; Ministry; and Theology
• knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in the area of the specialisations;
• understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches used in the selected disciplinary field.

Skills

Demonstrated ability to:

• evaluate, synthesise and critically engage the theoretical knowledge in the relevant areas of the study;
• examine a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the discipline;
• analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from related disciplines;
• design a research question that explores a complex issue and to provide possible solution(s) to the problem raised;
• communicate effectively complex ideas and proposed solutions to peers and general audiences;
• identify and critically evaluate new developments of research and scholarship in the selected disciplinary field.

Application of knowledge and skills

Demonstrated ability to:

• articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected disciplinary field to develop appropriate solutions;
• work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the selected disciplinary fields;
• design and implement a major research project in the selected disciplinary fields.