Bachelor of Theology :: Bachelor of Ministry :: Undergraduate :: Courses
Bachelor of Theology :: Bachelor of Ministry
This four-year BTh/BMin combined degree is designed specifically to prepare students for ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church. It is both theological and vocational in nature. The course provides students with a foundation for theology and ministry and the resources with which to minister as an employed minister in the Seventh-day Adventist church.
Duration
Four years full-time or equivalent part-time
Credit points
192 credit points
Mode of delivery
On campus. A small number of first-level subjects are available in distance education mode.
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/Bachelor of Ministry course:
- Recommendation from, and telephone interview with, pastor of church currently attended by applicant.
- Optional telephone interview of applicant by faculty.
- 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 BTh/BMin 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/BMin is a four-year degree consists of a minimum of 32 x 6-credit point subjects (192 credit points) over eight 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 minimum requirements in the BTh/BMin degree
| Components of Course |
Subjects |
Credit Points |
| Spiritual-Pastoral Formation
| Church Ministry
| 8
| 48
| Applied Psychology
| 2
| 12
| Research Seminar
| 1
| 6
| Theological-Historical Formation
| Theology
| 5
| 30
| History/Church History
| 3
| 18
| Biblical Formation
| Biblical Studies
| 8
| 48
| Biblical Languages
| 3
| 18
| General Education
| Electives
| 2
| 12
| TOTALS
| 32
| 192
Required subjects
Biblical Studies
Biblical Languages
Theology and History
Spirituality and Ministry
Psychology
General Education
Two Electives
Course Assurance
Details of course assurance arrangements are shown on the Avondale website. For the Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry the “Second Providers” are:
- Christian Heritage College
- Tabor College
- Australian Catholic University
- Sydney College of Divinity
- Australian College of Theology
Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry
NOTE: Field placement is required throughout the course. The assessed field education components are incorporated into most of the CM (Church Ministry) subjects.
In addition, specific field education components are incorporated into specialised subjects in years 3 and 4.