• Introduces graduate students to the sources and content of the Christian story and message at an advanced level, and provides training which combines articulation of this story and message with their application and practice in the contemporary world. The course will include the essential research principles and methods used in Divinity as preparation for higher degrees in Theology and Ministry.
• The course will be based on the disciplines by which knowledge of God is developed and articulated in the fields of:
  • Bible and Languages (LA, OT, NT, BB)
  • Christian Thought & History (TH, CH, PE)
• Through elective units students can:
  • Develop advanced understanding in the Bible and Christian Thought & History
  • Develop particular ministry skills in the three areas of the field of Ministry & Practice

To be able to study the Master of Divinity at BST you need to have an undergraduate degree in a non-theological discipline. (If you already have an undergraduate qualification in theology then take a look at our Master of Theological Studies program.)

Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you need to have taken the IELTS test with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening or have 10 years English in-country experience. 

Overseas Students

This course is registered on CRICOS and is available to overseas students. For additional information for overseas students go to Overseas Students page.

24 units | 288 credit points | 3 yrs FT, up to 9 yrs PT | On-campus

Master of Divinity course structure:

2 units from Old Testament Introduction

2 units from New Testament Introduction

2 units from History

3 units from Theology

1 Language (consists of 2 units) 

2 units from Exegesis (1 Old Testament, 1 New Testament)

2 units from Exegesis (in Biblical language)

1 unit from Christian Thought

2 units from either Exegesis, Biblical Languages or Christian Thought

1 unit of Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministries

1 unit of Field Education

4 elective units

Units in this course are completed at level 7 and above (with the exception of LA units which can be level 6 and above), no more than 12 units in total at levels 6 and 7, and including at least 3 units at level 9.

Below are the units you can choose from each category.

Biblical Introduction

Old Testament introduction
Old Testament Foundations – OT001-712
Old Testament Prophets and Writings – OT002-712

New Testament introduction
Jesus and the Gospels – NT001-712
Early New Testament Church – NT002-712

Christian Thought

History
Christianity in History to 1550 – CH001-712
Christianity in History from 1550 to Modern Times – CH002-712

Theology
The Knowledge of God – TH001-712
Creation and the Fall, the Person and Work of Christ– TH102-712
The Doctrines of Grace and Eschatology – TH003-712
The Church and its Ministry– TH104-712
Christian Ethics – PE002 – 712/812
Christian Apologetics – PE007-712/812

Exegesis

Old Testament exegesis 
Pentateuch –  OT008-712/OT009-712 (Hebrew exegesis available) 
Former Prophets: 1 & 2 Samuel – OT010-712/OT011-712 (Hebrew exegesis available) 
Exilic Prophecy (Isaiah 40-55) – OT014-712
The Psalms OT020-712

New Testament exegesis (in English or Greek)
The Synoptic Gospels: Luke – NT008-712/NT009-712
The Fourth Gospel – NT016-712/NT017-712
The Pastoral Epistles – NT014-712/NT015-712
Pauline Theology and Romans – NT018-712/NT019-712
Paul and Corinthian Christianity – NT010-712/NT011-712

Ministry & Practice

Evangelism and mission
Mission Perspectives – EM001-512
Principles of Evangelism –  EM024-512
Ministry in a Culturally Diverse Context –  EM018-712
Contextual Asian Ministry – EM031-712
Cross-Cultural Field Education –  EM040-712

Pastoral and church-focused ministry

Pastoral Skills and Methods– PC003-712
Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministry – PC008-712
Preaching I – PC047-712
Congregational Field Education – PC092-712
Practical Ministry Field Education – PC094-712
Child Abuse in Christian Communities: Prevention and Response – PC134-712/812

Languages

Biblical Hebrew (A) – LA003-612
Biblical Hebrew (B) – LA004-612
New Testament Greek (A) –  LA005-612
New Testament Greek (B) –  LA006-612

Project

12, 24 or 36 credit point projects available all at Level 9.

Note: Biblical Introduction, Church History and Greek A & B are offered every year, while the other units run on a two-year cycle. Please refer to the college timetable to find out what is being offered each year.

A full-time study load is 4 units per semester. You can be full-time and study 3 units per semester; it will just take you longer to finish the course. A part-time study load is 1 or 2 units per semester.

Discipline Knowledge and Understanding

1. Demonstrate up-to-date extended knowledge and understanding of ‘Divinity’, including the spiritual and ethical implications

2. Discuss the essential research principles and methods used in Divinity

Inquiry and Analysis

3. Utilize, and reflect upon prior knowledge and experience, and use and reflect critically on, current knowledge, ideas and practice in Divinity in inquiry based learning

Problem Solving and Integration

4. Integrate and synthesize extended learning and knowledge from a wide range of sources and contexts in the investigation of problems and issues in Divinity scholarship and practice

Research

5. Plan and execute a research project or capstone experience by asking questions and identifying problems and using appropriate Divinity research principles and methods

Communication

6. Present extended Divinity knowledge, ideas and principles to, and engage with, specialist as well as non-specialist audiences using a variety of formats

Teamwork and Professional Practice

7. As leader and in groups, apply extended understanding of Divinity in formal ministry contexts and the wider community

Engagement With the World

8. Bring enhanced professional and vocational capacity to engagement with the challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world

Continuous Learning and Professional Development

9. Demonstrate readiness for research at a higher level in capacity for wide reading, analytical rigour and independent thinking

BST Timetable, Calendar and Fees

This course is FEE-HELP and Centrelink 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

If you begin your course and for some reason you are unable to continue your MDiv, provided that you have gained eight credit points (equivalent to studying four units), you will qualify for the GradCertDiv. If you have completed one year of full-time study (i.e., eight units) then you can receive the Graduate Diploma of Divinity.

If you complete a fourth year (full-time equivalent load) in the MMin, you will be awarded a Master of Ministry and a Graduate Diploma of Divinity. As long as you’ve gained an additional 96 credit points you can receive the qualification.

Master of Theology (Research)

James Siong-Ung Kong
Assistant Pastor at Camberwell Methodist Church (Australia)

“Doing an MDiv at BST taught me so much about godly and servant leadership. The community living helped me learn to support and encourage others, to be patient and considerate and humble. The small group I was in gave me a chance to practice good discipline in studying God’s word and also how to share and pray with others. And the great and knowledgeable teaching staff made the lectures so helpful, and showed me how to put into practice what I was learning. The whole college experience shaped my life as a disciple of Christ and prepared me for this role now growing other disciples. I thank God.”