Master of Theology

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  • 1
    Year Full Time
  • 96
    Credit Points
  • Payments Centrelink Approved
  • 2.5
    Max Years Part Time
  • Online Course
  • Overseas Students
    Cricos code: 094613D (English)

Rationale

The Master of Theology (AQF level 9 Masters Research) course has been designed for research to be undertaken normally in one field of specialisation within either the Department of Bible and Language, Department of Christian Thought and History, or Department of Ministry and Practice.

From its inauguration the MTh has been used as a research degree for theology graduates who are already engaged in the ministerial profession and are aspiring to be teachers in theological colleges in Australia and overseas. Graduates of the course may articulate to the ACT DMin, ThD and PhD.

Course Structure

96 credit points over 1 year (F/T)

Primary Course Discipline

Overall cps: 96
Length: 1 year F/T (2 semesters) or P/T equivalent up to 2.5 years (5 semesters)
Thesis: 30,000 word thesis. Thesis length may vary by ±10%. Total word count excludes Bibliography.

Admission Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Lower Second Class Honours and at least a Credit grade in the thesis, OR

BTh or BMin with an overall GPA ≥3.0 plus a Graduate Diploma with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR

BTh or BMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MDiv or MMin with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MDiv or MMin with an overall GPA≥2.0 plus a Graduate Certificate with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MDiv or MMin with an overall GPA<2.0 plus a Coursework Masters (Such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with an overall GPA≥2.0 with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR

MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with an overall GPA<2.0 plus Graduate Certificate with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR

Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Master of Theology study.

RTP = Research Training Pathway

FoR = Field of Research

 

Language requirements for non-English speaking background applicants:

IELTS 7.5 with a minimum of 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking.

Articulation Options

  • DMIN20
  • PHD20
  • THD20

Exit Options

Overseas Students

This course is registered on CRICOS and is available to overseas students at selected delivery locations. See here for more information.

Learning Outcomes

The level of the course is equivalent to an AQF Level 9 Masters Research, and has been benchmarked against research masters of the Melbourne College of Divinity, the Sydney College of Divinity and research masters degrees offered at Australian universities.

Characteristics of the Master of Theology include:

  1. The demonstration of research skills and advanced knowledge in a specialised area of the discipline of theology, by which is meant a topic from one of the unit fields of the Departments of Bible and Languages (LA, OT, NT), the Department of Christian Thought and History (TH, CH, PE) including Integrative Studies (IN), and Ministry and Practice (EM, PC, DE);
  2. The demonstration of a high order of skill in analysis, critical evaluation and/or the professional application in a piece of extended research that exhibits comprehension and evaluation of new information, concepts and evidence encountered both in primary sources and also the secondary literature arising out of scholarly reflection in a specialised area of one or more of the major disciplines in theology such as Biblical Studies, Theology, Christianity in History, Ethics, or Ministry and Practice;
  3. The demonstration of a high order of skill in analysis and critical evaluation transferred from undergraduate study and showing evidence of the ability to think independently.

In the following domains, Graduates of the Master of Theology will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

  • Demonstrate up-to-date advanced knowledge and depth of understanding of Theology in an area of one of the fields of ‘Bible and Languages’, ‘Christian Thought’ and ‘Ministry and Practice’
  • Explain the research principles and methods used in an area of one of the fields of ‘Bible and Languages’, ‘Christian Thought’ and ‘Ministry and Practice’

Inquiry and Analysis:

  • Assess the theory and its application in an area of biblical and/or theological and/or ministry learning or practice with a view to identifying areas that require further research

Problem Solving and Integration

  • Formulate questions and issues; assemble data and literature; problematize data, concepts and theories; select or devise a suitable methodology; and develop coherent evidence-based perspectives as the basis of independent advanced inquiry

Research

  • Design and execute a program of advanced research in a specific area of biblical and theological scholarship or ministry practice
  • Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with ethical matters related to human participant research

Communication

  • Present new biblical and theological ideas, knowledge and principles to, and engage with, specialist as well as non-specialist audiences
  • Present research in writing in advanced research papers and a thesis of 30,000 words (±10%)

Teamwork and Professional Practice

  • As a leader and in groups, apply advanced biblical and/or theological and/or ministry understanding in formal ministry contexts and the wider community

Engagement with the World

  • Bring enhanced professional and vocational capacity to work with others (as a leader and in groups) to engage with the challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world

Continuing Learning and Development

  • Show readiness for research at doctoral level in their capacity for wide reading, analytical rigour and independent thinking

Fees

$11,208 per semester for full-time (48cp) domestic students (2023 course fees and credit points).

For more information about tuition fees, FEE-HELP, and student payments, view tuition fees.

Course Rules

  1. All applicants must have the support of an ACT supervising college which must provide a principal supervisor and co-supervisor.
  2. All applicants with non-ACT qualifications must submit along with their completed application form original or certified copies of transcripts or certificates of all tertiary study completed in theology or ministry. Those non-ACT graduates holding a three-year Bachelor degree in Theology who complete an ACT MA coursework award must demonstrate they have fulfilled the research training pathway (RTP) requirements.
  3. All applicants seeking entry to the MTh must have completed biblical and other language requirements that lay the foundation for research in their topic. For those candidates seeking to undertake research in Bible and Languages this requirement will normally be satisfied if the language skills for entry to the Bachelor of Theology Honours course (i.e., at least 2 units in either Biblical Hebrew (LA003-612 and LA004-612) or New Testament Greek (LA005-612 and LA006-612) and at least 2 units of biblical language exegesis in their initial theology degree have been completed.
  4. Graduates with the ACT MA(Th) or MA(Min) who demonstrate they have fulfilled the research training pathway (RTP) requirements may be admitted to the MTh.
  5. Those seeking to undertake research in a field of the Department of Ministry and Practice must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Research and Research Studies Committee that the biblical language requirements expected of MTh candidates pursuing research in Bible and Languages and Christian Thought are not required for their proposed research.
  6. Upgrade to doctoral courses is not permitted.
  7. Higher Degree Research candidates may not be granted more than two (2) semesters of suspension of candidature during the term of their candidature, and may be granted no more than two semesters of extension of candidature prior to the examination phase of their candidature. The R&RSC will accept applications for suspension beyond the two semester limit on a case by case basis only for extraordinary circumstances, supported with written evidence.
  8. Candidates and their supervisors must complete and submit by the due date the Higher Degree by Research Annual Progress Report to the Research Student Administrator of the ACT via the postgraduate coordinator in the candidate’s supervising college. Where unsatisfactory progress is reported the Research and Research Studies Committee may require the candidate to show why candidature should not be terminated. It is the candidate’s responsibility to be aware of all rules and regulations related to the Master of Theology, and fully comply with these rules and regulations.
  9. Where unsatisfactory progress is reported the Research and Research Studies Committee may require the candidate to show why candidature should not be terminated.
  10. It is the candidate’s responsibility to be aware of all rules and regulations related to the Master of Theology, and fully comply with these rules and regulations.

Approved for delivery at

Approval to deliver a course does not guarantee that this course will be available in a given year – please contact a college about current availability.