(AQF LEVEL 7 BACHELOR DEGREE)
Course Rationale
The aim of the degree is to guide students in a systematic manner to the acquisition of the body of coherent knowledge that is the classical discipline of theology as a means of preparing men and women for the responsibility of communicating Christian knowledge as leaders in the church, and if students so choose, to the acquisition of skills appropriate to ministry in one or more areas of pastoral practice.
The Bachelor of Theology requires 96 credit points for graduation. The course duration is three years full time, or up to nine years part time. The aim of the degree is to guide students in a systematic manner to the acquisition of the body of coherent knowledge that is the classical discipline of theology as a means of preparing men and women for the responsibility of communicating Christian knowledge as leaders in the church, and if students so choose, to the acquisition of skills appropriate to ministry in one or more areas of pastoral practice.
Admission Requirements
Academic Qualifications
(i) Open as a first degree to persons who have achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score of no less than 75 or its equivalent.
(ii) Consideration will be given to other factors such as practical experience, maturity and motivation, and the likelihood of satisfactory completion of the academic requirements of the course.
(iii) The ACT is prepared to enrol year 12 students in up to two (2) 300 level units at the discretion of the school and the particular ACT affiliated colleges. These students would not be admitted to the degree, but permitted to take 300 level units, which would later be credited to an ACT degree, should the student wish to continue and be permitted to enrol.
Language Qualifications for Non-English Speaking Background Applicants (NESB)
Candidates who (a) have an assessable qualification that was undertaken solely in English in one of a set of prescribed countries OR (b) have been a resident in Australia with English being the language spoken at home and at work for ten (10) or more years are NOT required to provide proof of English language proficiency for consideration for admission to an ACT course. All other domestic and international candidates MUST provide proof of English language proficiency for consideration for admission to an ACT course. Such proof will normally be by provision of the results of an IELTS test (Academic Version). For admission to the Bachelor of Theology, the minimum IELTS result required is 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subtest.
Mature Age Entry
Mature age entry is available for candidates 21 years and older.
Course Structure
96 credit points over 3 years F/T or P/T equivalent (up to 9 years) at 300 or 400 Level:
4 cps Language (LA)
8 cps Old Testament (OT301 and OT302)
8 cps New Testament (NT301 and NT302)
4 cps Church History (CH301, CH302 or CH305)
4 cps Theology (TH401 – TH404)
Additionally students must complete:
- 4 cps in Languages
- 24 cps in Old Testament and New Testament exegesis
- 12 cps in Theology
- 4 cps in Church History
- 24 cps in Elective units, including a maximum of 12 cps Type B Electives
Learning Outcomes
ability to interpret the biblical deposit, especially those books which have played a crucial role in the development of the Christian tradition, with a knowledge of their original context and their major themes and ideas,
knowledge of the major theological tenets of the Christian faith which underpin any coherent theological world view and philosophy of ministry,
appreciation of the historical conditions under which theological worldviews have developed and are being shaped today,
openness to the tradition of published scholarship and the diversity of viewpoints which characterise that scholarship in the various fields of the discipline of theology as essential to understanding and respecting the discipline and as an integral part of the preparation for communicating the Christian tradition.
Occupational Functions of Graduates
(i) teacher or ordained minister in a congregation, with responsibility for preaching, teaching, and preparing people for church membership,
(ii) pastor with responsibility for providing leadership in various ministry contexts,
(iii) leader able to take part in wider debates in the church, the denomination, or society with respect to interpreting and mediating the Christian tradition in the modern world,
(iv) teacher of diploma level units of the graduate’s specialisation in a theological or Bible college.
Rules
i. Students may not enrol in more than 20 credit points per semester.
ii. A limit of 1/3 of the award (32cps) can be taken in distance mode units.
iii. Advanced (400) level units with specific conditions may only be taken when the pre-requisite or co-requisite or required units have been successfully completed and/or any co-requisite unit is taken concurrently.
iv. Undergraduate degree students may enrol in 600 level language exegesis units on the understanding that the unit is taught and assessed at 600 level.
v. In addition, up to 16cps of 500/600 level units may be taken once 64cps have been successfully completed.
vi. No more than 40 cps of foundational level units can be counted in a student’s course of study.
Available units
2012 SOCS Lecture units click here
2012 SOCS Online units click here
Fees and enrolments
2012 Fees and bursary assistance click here
2012 Enrolment form click here
