A coursework Masters degree at AQF level 9 for professional practice and/or further study and scholarship, the Master of Theological Studies is designed to bring the development of ACT graduate attributes to an advanced level.

Its purpose is:

1)      To provide students who are already graduates with the opportunity to undertake study in the disciplines by which knowledge of God is developed and articulated in the fields of:

• Bible & Languages (LA, OT, NT, BB)
• Christian Thought & History (TH, CH, PE)

AND

2)      through elective units:

• Further develop understanding in the Bible and Christian Thought & History; and/or
• Develop particular ministry skills in the three areas of the field of Ministry & Practice (EM, PC, DM)

The course will include an introduction to the research principles and methods applicable to the specialised study of the theological disciplines.

Academic Qualifications: Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

Australian College of Theology Coursework Course Enrolment Policy

16 units | 192 credit points | 2 yrs FT, up to 8 yrs PT | On-campus & off-campus live stream

Master of Theological Studies course structure:

2 units from Old Testament Introduction or New Testament Introduction

1 units from Christian Thought

13 units from elective units from any unit field, which includes at least one of the following:

• 12 cps Level 9 Project (**200-912); or
• 24 cps Level 9 Project (**200-924); or
• 36 cps Level 9 Project (**200-936); or
• a 12cps masters capstone experience unit (**205-912); or
• a 12cps advanced independent reading unit (**201-912).

Below are the units you can choose from each category.

Biblical Introduction

Old Testament introduction
Old Testament Foundations – OT001-812
Old Testament Prophets and Writings – OT002-812

New Testament introduction
Jesus and the Gospels – NT001-812
Early New Testament Church – NT002-812

Christian Thought

History
Christianity in History to 1550 – CH001-812
Christianity in History from 1550 to Modern Times – CH002-812

Theology
The Knowledge of God – TH001-812
Creation and the Fall, the Person and Work of Christ– TH102-812
The Doctrines of Grace and Eschatology – TH003-812
The Church and its Ministry – TH104-812

Philosophy & Ethics
Christian Ethics – PE001-812
Christian Apologetics – PE206-812

Exegesis

Old Testament exegesis (in English or Hebrew) 
Pentateuch –  OT008-812/OT009-812 
Former Prophets: 1 & 2 Samuel – OT010-812/OT011-812
Isaiah (40-55) – OT014-812/OT015-812
The Psalms OT020-812/OT021-812

New Testament exegesis (in English or Greek)
The Synoptic Gospels: Luke – NT008-812/NT009-812
The Fourth Gospel – NT016-812/NT017-812
The Pastoral Epistles – NT014-812/NT015-812
Pauline Theology and Romans – NT018-812/NT019-812
Paul and Corinthian Christianity – NT010-812/NT011-812

Ministry & Practice

Evangelism and mission
Mission Perspectives – EM001-812
Principles of Evangelism –  EM024-812
Ministry in a Culturally Diverse Context –  EM018-812
Contextual Asian Ministry – EM031-812
Cross-Cultural Field Education –  EM040-812
Child Abuse in Christian Communities: Prevention and Response – PC134-812

Pastoral and church-focused ministry
Preaching I – PC047-812
Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministry – PC008-812
Pastoral Skills and Methods– PC003-812
Theological Perspectives on Mental Health – PC137-812
Mental Health Issues in Christian Counselling – IN004-812
Congregational Field Education – PC092-812
Practical Ministry Field Education – PC094-812

Languages

Biblical Hebrew (A) – LA003-812
Biblical Hebrew (B) – LA004-812
New Testament Greek (A) –  LA005-812
New Testament Greek (B) –  LA006-812

Units in this course are completed at Level 8 and above, including at least 60cps at Level 9.

• Graduates of an ACT BMin or BTh or equivalent are eligible to receive ungraded advanced standing (block credit) for 48cps (NA000-048), with the remainder of the course to be completed at Level 8-9. Candidature periods will be reduced according to the volume of advanced standing granted.
• Graduates of an AQF level 8 or 9 award in Ministry or Theology are eligible to receive ungraded advanced standing (block credit) for up to 96cps based on volume of the studies in the previous award (ie graduates of a Graduate Certificate would receive NA000-048, graduates of a Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree would receive NA000-096), with the remainder of the course to be completed at Level 8-9. Candidature periods will be reduced according to the volume of advanced standing granted.

Course Rules

• Maximum concurrent enrolment load: 60cps
• Units in this course are completed at Level 8 and above, including at least 60cps at Level 9.
• There is a pre-requisite for Level 9 units: 48cps Level 8

Discipline Knowledge and Understanding

1. Demonstrate up-to-date advanced knowledge and understanding of selected fields of Theological Studies, consisting of study within the broad fields of Christian Ministry and Practice; Christian Thought and History; and Bible and Languages.

2. Examine the biblical, theological and ministry foundations of Theological Studies

Inquiry and Analysis

3. Collect, analyse, evaluate and synthesise specialised Theological Studies scholarship in inquiry-based learning

Problem Solving and Integration

4. Construct evidence-based perspectives on specialised Theological Studies issues by using recognised source materials and scholarly literature, evaluating alternative explanations and drawing reasoned conclusions

Communication

5. Present specialised Theological Studies ideas, knowledge and principles to, and engage with, specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of formats

Teamwork and Professional Practice

6. As leader and in groups, apply specialised understanding of Theological Studies in formal ministry contexts and the wider community

Engagement with the World

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

Continuous Learning and Professional Development

8. Demonstrate a capacity for independent reflection and learning to sustain personal and professional development in Christian ministry

BST Timetable, Calendar and Fees

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

This course is registered on CRICOS (0100549) and is available to overseas students. Further information for overseas students can be found on our overseas student page.  

Overseas students can apply here.