Master of Divinity

CRICOS 063710D

About this course

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) award. The award provides a systematic and comprehensive study of theological and related disciplines through a structure of specialisations.

The Master of Divinity is designed for two categories of candidates:

  1. those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who seek a comprehensive education in theology comparable in breadth and depth to the Bachelor of Theology, including a deeper biblical and theological understanding, spiritual formation, and cultural literacy that will prepare them for ordained or other professional ministries in church, parachurch or non-profit organisations, and other similar vocational settings.
  2. those who hold a tertiary qualification in a theological discipline who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology as part of their continuing ministerial education.

Australia Student Visa holders are required to study full-time (at least two-thirds face-to-face) and can study at
Australian College of Christian Studies (NSW and WA)
Nazarene Theological College (QLD)

Full time




Part Time




Research Period




An applicant for admission to candidature for the Master of Divinity shall hold a three-year AQF Level 7 or 8 award in any discipline.

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 in all bands of the test.

Every program for the award shall consist of no fewer than 216 credit points taken from 8100 and 9200 series units in the Schedule of Units of Study.

 

Every program will include either two specialisations and one subspecialisation, or one specialisation and two subspecialisations.

 

Every program will include:

  • a minimum of 72 credit points in 9200 series units;
  • not more than 72 credit points from Philosophy;
  • at least a subspecialisation from Biblical Studies;
  • at least a subspecialisation from Systematic Theology;
  • at least one unit in Church History;
  • at least a total of 36 credit points from the following subdisciplines: Christian Ethics, Christian Spirituality, Pastoral Counselling, Worship & Liturgy, Mission, Pastoral Theology;
  • not more than 108 credit points in Pastoral Theology;
  • at least one 9200 series Generic Research unit;
  • up to a maximum of 36 credit points in units listed as Generic (Research) units in the Schedule of Units of Study with a maximum of 18 credit points in Independent Guided Study units, 18 credit points in Research Project units, and 18 credit points as a Research Essay.

Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning and the ability to apply such knowledge and skills in a theologically-related area.

 

Knowledge

Graduates will have

  • an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge in some theologically-related disciplines or areas of practice, including the extended understanding of recent developments in theology and/or theological practice.
  • understanding research principles and methods applicable to these theological disciplines and their practice.

 

Skills

Graduates will have expert cognitive and technical skills in a theologically-related body of knowledge, so that they are able independently to:

  • analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with a theologically-related body of knowledge.
  • research and apply established theories to a theologically-related body of knowledge or practice.
  • interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained argument to specialist and non-specialist audiences in relation to a theologically-related body of knowledge.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability, and accountability as a practitioner and/or learner in relation to the inter-dependent building up of the church and good of the wider community.
  • plan and execute a research-based project, and/or piece of scholarship in an area of theology.

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 108 credit points in the Master of Divinity.

Credit can be granted from units at the graduate level where the outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment are equivalent to that of units in the Sydney College of Divinity award.

Credit can be also granted when a candidate holds the SCD Bachelor of Theology or equivalent degree up to a maximum of 54 credit points for BTh or equivalent units (where the outcomes, content demand hours, and assessment are comparable to those of SCD BTh units) with a grade of at least 70%.

 

Exit points

A range of exit points are available from the Master of Divinity. These include the Graduate Certificate in Arts, Graduate Diploma of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Theology. For these to be available, the student must complete units that met the requirements of the exiting award.

 

Articulation to other awards

Admission into the SCD Master of Philosophy award would require a completed Master of Divinity which included an 18 credit point Research Project or Essay with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Admission into the SCD Doctor of Ministry award would require a Master of Divinity with a GPA of 2.8 or higher including a Research Essay with a GPA of 2.8 or higher and the appropriate ministry experience.

Admission into the SCD Doctor of Philosophy or Theology would require a completed Master of Divinity with a GPA of 3.0 or higher including a Research Essay with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Master of Divinity is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.

A domestic student at Sydney College of Divinity is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester. SCD offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering SCD awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

International students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment of 4 units (36 credit points) per semester, including a minimum of one unit per semester in face-to-face mode, and at least two-thirds of the total units in face-to-face mode. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times. Learn more about your responsibilities, rights and what studying in Australia can offer you. Not all our teaching institutions offer study programs for international students. Check out the locations and courses offered to international students, and for more information email us at [email protected]

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