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Associate Degree In Theological Studies :: Undergraduate :: Courses

Associate Degree in Theological Studies

The Associate Degree in Theological Studies provides a two-year study of basic theology and ministry and is designed for those who wish to serve as educated and skilled laypersons in a local congregation. This qualification does not provide a recognised pathway into the employed ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Course code: 4872

Course coordinator: Dr Ray C W Roennfeldt

Duration

Two years full-time or equivalent part-time

Credit points

96 credit points

Mode of delivery

On campus. A small number of first-level subjects are available in distance education mode.

Abbreviation of course title

AssocDegTheolStuds

Accreditation

The degree is accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Entry requirements

The general entry requirements for Avondale College degree courses are stated in the Academic Policies section of the Handbook.

The following entry requirements are specific to the AssocDegTheolStuds course:

1. Recommendation from, and telephone interview with, pastor of church currently attended by applicant.
   
2. Optional telephone interview of applicant by faculty.
   
3. At least two years must have elapsed since the applicant’s baptism, during which time the applicant must have been active in a local church.
   

Field education requirements

There is an intentional placement of and mentoring of students in a local church during their enrolment in the Associate Degree in Theological Studies. A number of specific requirements attached to several of the church ministry subjects need to be fulfilled in a local church. In order to be placed in a local church, students are required to sign a self-disclosure form (Prohibited Persons Declaration) and consent to a criminal records check. Further information is available in the Field Education Handbook.

Course structure

The AssocDegTheolStuds is a two-year degree consisting of a minimum of 16 x 6-credit point subjects (96 credit points) over four semesters. All subjects are worth six credit points (unless otherwise specified) with a notional semester workload of 150 hours, averaging 10–12 hours per week (including contact hours). The course is comprised of biblical-theological formation, pastoral formation and general education.

Summary of the minimum requirements in the Associate Degree in Theological Studies

Required subjects

Biblical Studies

BL170 :: Hebrew A
NT160 :: Gospels A
NT170 :: New Testament Epistles A
OT282 :: Pentateuchal Studies
BL170 :: Hebrew A

Biblical Languages

BL170 :: Hebrew A, or
OT282 :: Pentateuchal Studies

Theology and History

CY165 :: SDA History and Ministry of Ellen White
CY265 :: Early and Medieval Church
TH161 :: Introduction to Theology
TH270 :: Ethics, Philosophy & Science in Theological Context

Spirituality and Ministry

CM160 :: Spiritual Formation for Pastoral Ministry
CM161 :: Communication and Worship
CM265 :: Homiletics
CM282 :: Australian and New Zealand Religions

Psychology

PS160 :: Developmental and Pastoral Psychology

Electives

Four electives

Course assurance

Details of course assurance arrangements as shown on the Avondale website. For the Bachelor of Arts (Theology) the “Second Providers” are:

• Christian Heritage College
  
• Tabor College
  
• Australian Catholic University
  
• Sydney College of Divinity
  
• Australian College of Theology
  

Degree structure

The standard structure for the AssocDegTheolStuds is shown below.

Associate Degree of Theological Studies

Standard Course Structure

NOTE: Field placement is required throughout the course. The assessed field education components are incorporated into most of the CM (Church Ministry) subjects.