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Bachelor Of Theology :: Undergraduate :: Courses

Bachelor of Theology

The three-year BTh is for those who wish to study the theological disciplines for either personal interest or as a preparation for postgraduate study and a possible academic career in theology: it does not provide a recognised pathway into the employed ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Course code: 4871

Course coordinator: Dr Ray C W Roennfeldt

Duration

Three years full-time or equivalent part-time

Credit points

144 credit points

Mode of delivery

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

Abbreviation of course title

BTh

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 Bachelor of Theology Ministry 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 the initial phases of their enrolment in the BTh degree. 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 BTh is a three-year degree consists of a minimum of 24 x 6-credit point subjects (144 credit points) over six 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 BTh degree

Required subjects

Biblical Studies

NT160 :: Gospels A
NT170 :: New Testament Epistles A
NT351 :: Gospels B
NT361 :: New Testament Epistles B
OT262 :: Pentateuch
OT265 :: Old Testament Prophets

Biblical Languages

BL160 :: New Testament Greek IA
BL161 :: New Testament Greek IB
BL170 :: Hebrew A

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
TH360 :: Systematic Theology A
TH361 :: Systematic Theology B
TH371 :: Historical Theology (Modern Period)

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

General Education

Three Electives

Course assurance

Details of course assurance arrangements are shown on the Avondale website. For the Bachelor of 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 BTh degree is shown on the following page.



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