The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed for candidates who have a prior degree in theology or in a field other than theology.

The degree is designed to allow candidates whose academic background is in fields other than traditionally related to theology to pursue research in their primary field of research and integrate their research with knowledge from various Christian traditional theological disciplines.

The degree will equip men and women as beginning researchers in a broad range of fields of study related to the humanities and social sciences and provide a qualification recognised by theological and Bible colleges as well as universities for those who teach in these fields.

Academic Qualifications:

1. MTh, OR
2. BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Distinction in the thesis, OR
3. BTh or BMin plus a Graduate Diploma with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
4. BTh or BMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
5. MDiv or MMin with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥ Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
6. MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
7. MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words,
8. OR
9. Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Philosophy study.

RTP = Research Training Pathway

FoR = Field of Research

Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS min 7.5 overall with a min 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking.

For more information go to:

ACT Website – Doctor of  Philosophy

Overall cps: 288

Length: 3 year F/T (6 semesters) or P/T equivalent up to 6 years (12 semesters)

Thesis: 80-100,000 word thesis, excluding bibliography

ACT Course Rules

To apply for a PhD please email (info@bst.qld.edu.au) with the following:

• ACT number (if applicable)
• Transcripts from previous theological degrees
• Proposed field of research and topic
• Mode of study (Full-time or part-time)

$8,640 per semester for full-time (48 credit points)

BST Timetable, Calendar and Fees

FEE-HELP

This course is FEE-HELP approved.

What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP is a loan that helps eligible fee paying students pay their tuition fees.

For eligibility and more information on FEE-HELP go to:
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/fee-help

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (AQF level 10) is a research doctorate equivalent to an Australian University PhD. It is awarded on the basis of the satisfactory completion of a thesis. The thesis must make an original contribution to the relevant field of knowledge, integrating Christian theological perspectives and show evidence of original research and the exercise of independent critical analysis. Although a candidate works under a supervisor, the candidate is expected to demonstrate independence of thought.

The award of the degree may be taken to certify that a candidate has been trained in the techniques relevant to the field of research, and is capable, without supervision, of applying these techniques to other research projects, and has become sufficiently familiar with a significant area of discipline within which the candidate has worked to be able to assess critically the present state of knowledge in the subject and to conceive original possibilities for further investigation with an increasing independence.

• The thesis must embody the results of independent scholarship and research. It may be either a critical and analytical study of existing material or, as is more usual, an original contribution to the subject. In either case it must show evidence of originality and independence of thought, posing a new insight into the topic or formulating an existing issue in a novel and useful way.
• The candidate must demonstrate that he or she is aware of, understands, and is able to read and analyse the literature, including primary source and scholarly material in languages other than English, that is directly relevant to the topic as well as related areas of significance, and is able to make considered judgments.
• The thesis must be a work of appropriate literary standard. While assessing what constitutes a “distinct contribution to theological learning” is no easy matter, one way of gauging whether a candidate’s work meets the criterion is to consider the extent to which the thesis is publishable. Criteria that will help decide whether a thesis is publishable are:

1. there is emerging and/or growing interest in the subject area of the thesis such that the thesis, if published, would complement what has been published already, or, the thesis makes a radically new contribution to the subject area;
2. the thesis is well-written, its ideas are accessible, and it would lend itself to easy conversion to published format;
3. there are well-known, international scholars who could be advocates for the published version of the thesis.

In the following domains, Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate substantial expert knowledge at the frontier of a field of learning in Theology, Ministry or Christian Studies;
• Evaluate the various research principles and methodologies of the field of learning;

Inquiry and Analysis

• Assess the received body of knowledge in the field of learning with a view to identifying areas that require further research;

Problem Solving and Integration

• Formulate problems and questions, assemble data and literature, construct a theoretical and methodological framework, develop coherent evidence-based perspectives as the basis of independent expert inquiry;

Research

• Design and execute an independent investigation leading to an original and significant contribution to knowledge in the field of learning;
• Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with ethical matters related to human participant research;

Communication

• Present theoretical bases, methodologies and results of research to, and engage with, non-specialists, peers and the scholarly community;
• Present research in writing suitable for publication, including a thesis of 80,000-100,000 words or portfolio of published work;

Teamwork and Professional Practice

• As a leader and in groups, apply expert authoritative knowledge and understanding to ministry contexts and the wider community;

Engagement with the World

• Bring authoritative expert professional capacity to engagement with the challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world;

Continuous Learning and Development

• Demonstrate capacity independently and collaboratively to generate new knowledge and understanding by original research.

This course is registered on CRICOS (076015J, Doctor of Philosophy) and is available to overseas students. Further information for overseas students can be found on our overseas student page.