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Undergraduate Certificate of Theology

UNDERGRADUATE

This course is currently approved until June 2025.

Course Description

If you’re new to theological education, and particularly if you don’t have an undergraduate qualification, then the Undergraduate Certificate of  Theology is a great way to dip your toe in the water.

This Certificate will give you an overview of the Bible through the Old and New Testament, showing you the big-picture story of the Bible and giving you the basic skills to better understand and explain it. You’ll also have the opportunity to delve into the History of Christianity. 

The Undergraduate Certificate of Theology is a good starting point if you’re not yet sure what the future holds for you or you just want a taste of theological study. It will give you a well-rounded biblical base so you can start exploring which areas of theology interest you most and where God might be wanting to put your skills to work.

  1. Introduces students to the sources and content of the Christian story and message and provides training which emphasises application and articulation of this story and message in the contemporary world including professional and vocational life.
  2. Introduces students to specialist disciplines by which Knowledge of God is developed and articulated:
    • Bible & Languages (OT/NT/BB/LA)
    • Christian Thought and History (TH/CH/PE)
  3. The course Provides a grounding for ministry by establishing a foundation in theological knowledge and reflection
  4. Through an elective unit students can:
    • Synthesise Christian understanding with particular occupational and/or life interest
    • Develop practical ministry skills

ATAR: Completion of Year 12 in the last two years with an ATAR 65 or above; OR

Previous Qualifications: Successful completion of a qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; OR

Demonstrate Academic Suitability for course: Test, Brief Essay, or Interview.

Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in each subtest 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

4 units | 48 credit points | 1 sem FT, up to 2yrs PT | On-campus & off-campus live stream

Undergraduate Certificate of Theology Course Structure:

unit from Biblical Introduction

unit from Christian Thought

units from either Biblical Introduction, Christian Thought or Languages

1 elective unit (Choose from any of the below)

Biblical Introduction

Old Testament introduction
Old Testament Foundations – OT001-512
Old Testament Prophets and Writings – OT002-512

New Testament introduction
Jesus and the Gospels – NT001-512
Early New Testament Church – NT002-512

Christian Thought

History
Christianity in History to 1550 – CH001-512
Christianity in History from 1550 to Modern Times – CH002-512

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
Preaching I – PC047-712
Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministry – PC008-712
Congregational Field Education – PC092-712
Practical Ministry Field Education – PC094-712

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

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.

Dipline knowledge and understanding

1. Demonstrate essential knowledge and understanding of Biblical Studies and Christian Thought as academic disciplines

2. Identify essential biblical and theological foundations of Ministry

3. Recognise the spiritual and ethical implications of Biblical and theological understanding

Inquiry and analysis

4. Collect, summarise, and analyse information from standard biblical, theological and social scientific sources and scholarship.

Problem solving and integration

5. Construct evidence-based perspectives and responses to essential Biblical and theological issues by using standard source materials and methods

Communication

6. Present essential Biblical and theological ideas, knowledge and principles to, and engage with different audiences using a variety of formats

Teamwork and professional practice

7. Apply essential Biblical and theological understanding in formal ministry contexts (including teams), professional and vocational life, and the wider community

Engagement with the world

8. Engage with essential challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world

Continuous learning and professional development

9. Demonstrate a capacity for reflection and learning to sustain personal and professional development in Christian, professional and vocational life and 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

When you have completed the Undergraduate Certificate of Theology you can continue your studies with the Diploma of Theology. To complete the Diploma of Theology you will need an extra 48 credit points (4 units). 

Grace Wong
Pastor (Australia and Hong Kong)

“BST equipped me with a sound knowledge of the Bible, but the lecturers also helped me discover that knowledge alone is not enough. We need to take our knowledge out into the world to bring others to God with true humility and a servant heart. I grew so much in my own spiritual life and in my understanding of the Bible, and also learned how to help others grow into spiritual maturity. The Lord was really moulding me during my time at college and that has prepared me so well for my pastoral work now.”

Robert Harvey
Former missionary (various countries in South America)

“At BST I was formed by the people of God and the word of God. What a privilege it was to get to know the people – staff and students, each with their unique gifts, abilities and idiosyncrasies, but each one a part of my life through the input they had into it. And what a privilege to study and be changed by the word – the strong emphasis on the authority of the Bible helped prepare me to preach it with conviction, affection and dedication; to apply it in defense of my faith when in confrontation; and to stand upon its unfailing promises in times of doubt and difficulty.”