Master of Theology (Research)

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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 (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 (Res) 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. 

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

MPM with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods and Confirmation of Candidature and an overall GPA≥2.0, 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:

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

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 Master of Theology (Research) is an AQF Level 9 Masters Research award.

Graduates of the Master of Theology (Research) will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and depth of understanding of Theology in AT LEAST ONE of the fields of ‘Bible and Languages,’ ‘Christian Thought and History,’ and ‘Ministry and Practice.’

2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods used in AT LEAST ONE of the fields of ‘Bible and Languages,’ ‘Christian Thought and History,’ and ‘Ministry and Practice.’

Skills

3. Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills in the design and execution of a specialised research project that makes a contribution to knowledge, AND/OR professional practice, AND/OR creative practice.

4. Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically reflect on complex information, problems and concepts and apply established theories in the context of an advanced body of knowledge and practice.

Application of knowledge and skills

5. Plan and conduct a substantial piece of research with creativity, initiative, autonomy, and accountability.

6. Communicate a coherent and sustained argument effectively and disseminate research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Fees

$10,728 per semester for full-time (48cp) domestic students (2024 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 with their completed application form original or certified copies of transcripts or certificates of all tertiary study completed in theology or ministry. 
  3. All applicants seeking entry to the MTh (Res) 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 (Hons) (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. Those seeking to undertake research in a field of the Department of Ministry and Practice must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Research Committee that the biblical language requirements expected of MTh (Res) candidates pursuing research in Bible and Languages and Christian Thought are not required for their proposed research.
  5. Upgrade to doctoral courses is not permitted.
  6. 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 Research Committee may accept applications for suspension beyond the two semester limit on a case by case basis only for extraordinary circumstances, supported with written evidence.
  7. 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 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 (Research), 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.