GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY

Transcription

1 GRADUATE ENTRY GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY 1

2 CONTENTS MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY overview 3 COURSE Graduate Diploma of Ministry and Theology 4 ADMISSIONS Alternate entry 7 Entry requirements for international students 7 Fee and scholarship information 7 How to apply 8 Contact information 8 2

3 WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE TO STUDY MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY AT AVONDALE? If you already hold a bachelor s degree, and are ready for employed ministry, then this degree is for you. An Avondale degree in Ministry and Theology will give you a greater understanding of yourself, the world past, present and future and will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to build a strong church and community. You will be taught by expert, qualified staff who have both pastoral experience and specialised postgraduate education. Avondale has been providing excellence in Christian higher education since We are committed to providing education that prepares people to make a significant difference in the world. 3

4 GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY (GRADDIPMINTHEOL) CRICOS code: C Degree Type: Postgraduate Locations Offered: Lake Macquarie Campus Study Mode: On campus. Many units are available via distance education. Course Duration: Two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) The Graduate Diploma of Ministry and Theology is a two-year, graduate-entry bachelor degree designed specifically to prepare you for employed ministry in Seventh-day Adventist churches and organisations, and other Christian denominational churches. The course will provide you with a foundation in ministry and theology and the resources required to work as an employed minister. 4

5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS DIRECT ENTRY Bachelor s degree (or equivalent) The following entry requirements are specific to the GradDipMinTheol course: Recommendation form, and telephone interview with the pastor of the church you currently attend Optional telephone interview between yourself and a faculty member At least two years must have elapsed since your baptism, during which time you must have been active in a local church. WHERE IT COULD TAKE YOU You will graduate with the skills to gain employment in the following areas: Church pastor Youth minister Evangelist Church administrator School chaplain Hospital chaplain Pastoral educator. COURSE STRUCTURE SUMMARY The GradDipMinTheol is composed of 16 units (96 credit points) of study over four semesters. All units are worth six credit points (unless otherwise specified). 5

6 GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY - STANDARD STRUCTURE YEAR ONE SEMESTER 1 BBBL46000 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK IA SEMESTER 2 THSY48000 THEMES IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I CMIN48300 CHURCH MINISTRY PRACTICE CMIN48100 EVANGELISM IN MINISTRY I BBBL46100 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK IB BBBI46000 JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE THSY48100 THEMES IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY II CMIN46500 HOMILETICS YEAR TWO SEMESTER 3 BBNT45100 SELECTED THEMES IN THE GOSPELS OF MATTHEW AND JOHN SEMESTER 4 BBOT46200 TORAH IN CONTEXT THCH46500 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY (EARLY AND MEDIEVAL PERIODS) CMIN48200 EVANGELISM IN MINISTRY II BBNT46100 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN NEW TESTAMENT CMPS46600 FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY CMIN48400 CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERSHIP THRN45000 RESEARCH SEMINAR IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES *Preliminary semester is required if you do not have a background in theology/religion/ministry at an undergraduate level. Note: Field placement is required throughout the course. The assessed field education components are incorporated into most of the CMIN (Church Ministry) units. TEXTBOOK AND OTHER COSTS You can expect to spend approximately AUD$200 on textbooks, lecture notes and excursions per semester. FIELD EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Built into all the Ministry and Theology degrees are placement and mentoring opportunities in a church. Specific requirements attached to several of the church ministry units need to be fulfilled in a church, high school or hospital. In order to be placed, you are required to sign a self-disclosure form (Prohibited Persons Declaration) and consent to a criminal records check. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY STUDENTS THE A S & J W JORGENSEN SCHOLARSHIP A trust fund has been established to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships to theology students at Avondale. Applicants must be able to demonstrate eligibility on the basis of need. The number and amount of scholarships may vary from year to year depending on the funds released from the trust fund. Up to two scholarships valued at $1500 per year may be awarded. THE MCDOWELL THEOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP Valued at up to $1500 per year, up to four first-year scholarships and up to four second, third, or fourth year scholarships are available to students from Australia or New Zealand who are enrolled in the Bachelor or the Graduate Diploma in Ministry and Theology program. One-off grants of up to $1500 may also be awarded. GENERAL CONFERENCE - ADVENTIST WOMEN S MINISTRIES SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, financial need, and community outreach. Specific amounts of scholarship awards vary from year to year and are dependent on the funds available in your division. Scholarships may be obtained only through your home division. For a full list of Avondale scholarships and information on how to apply, visit 6

7 ALTERNATE ENTRY Decisions on alternative pathways to admission are made by the Academic Registrar in consultation with the relevant Course Convenor and other appropriate personnel. You should apply to the Academic Registrar and submit full official transcripts, subject descriptions and course information, which allow credit point equivalents to be established. With the exception of New Testament Greek, you are required to complete 48 credit points of Avondale units even when transfer credit is granted, in order to gain adequate exposure to the overall pastoral experience. Detailed information on alternative admission is available from Avondale s Admission Enquiry Centre or in the Undergraduate Handbook. Pages from the handbook can be downloaded at CREDIT TRANSFER AND ADVANCED STANDING Avondale has a formal process for the assessment of transfer credit. Requests for credit on the basis of prior learning or experience must be sent to the Course Convenor, supported by official documentation from the institution or organisation where the prior learning/experience occurred. Documentation will normally be in the form of an original copy of an official academic transcript (in English), supported by unit outlines and any other relevant documentation. The Faculty or School Learning and Teaching Committee decides on credit to be granted on the basis of prior learning. For more information visit FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FEE-HELP If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder, you may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance. FEE- HELP is a Commonwealth loan scheme that allows eligible students to defer tuition fee payment and can cover all or part of a student s tuition fees, up to a lifetime limit. FEE-HELP is available for all Avondale higher education courses. For further details visit HOW TO APPLY For an information pack and application form, contact Avondale Admissions or apply online at Phone: Freecall: (within Australia) [email protected] Mail: PO Box 19, Cooranbong NSW 2265, Australia CRICOS Provider No 02731D Avondale College Ltd trading as Avondale College of Higher Education January 2014 Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Policies and course information may change without notice. Any changes will be published on our website at Avondale will not be held liable for decisions made on the basis of this publication alone. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Overseas applicants will have their qualifications assessed by the Admission Enquiry Centre. Overseas applicants are also required to satisfy Australian Government visa requirements. For a comprehensive list of English and academic entry requirements, visit DELIVERY APPROACHES Methods of teaching and learning include: Lectures and tutorials Practical experience Field trips Oral and audio visual presentations Assignments Observations and professional experience/internships. ASSESSMENT METHODS A wide range of methods are used to assess your performance. These include: Theory and practical assignment work Tutorial presentations Practical experience Tests End of semester examinations. SCHOLARSHIPS For a complete list of scholarships available, visit FEES For current information on tuition, on-campus accommodation and meal costs, visit DEEP UNDERSTANDING IMOGEN TOPP After completing a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts at Avondale, I decided that I wanted to use my newly-acquired skills in a ministry context. I felt that if I was going to create content with substance, I wanted to be better informed about ministry and theology, so I enrolled in the Graduate Diploma. Along the way, I discovered that I also love preaching and other elements of ministry, such as chaplaincy. I left Avondale with a solid base in marketing and communications, and a deep understanding of ministry and theology; a combination that I have found works very well together. I would strongly recommend to anyone who is interested in ministry and theology to consider studying an undergraduate degree in another area first and then complete a Graduate Diploma. I feel that you have a richer experience and face all the class content with a different mindset. I learnt how to see things differently and apply the ministry knowledge to my previous experiences. Imogen Topp Then: Graduate Diploma of Ministry and Theology Now: Chaplain at Northpine Christian College/SQLD Conference Media Officer 7

8 HOW TO APPLY For an information pack and application form, contact Avondale Admissions or apply online at Phone: Freecall: (within Australia) [email protected] Postal: PO Box 19, Cooranbong NSW 2265, Australia 8