The Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) is an undergraduate program which enables students to study the theological disciplines for either personal interest, or as a preparation for postgraduate study and a possible academic career in theology. The course covers areas such as biblical studies, biblical languages, theology, and Christian history.
The BTheol will prepare students for work in a range of not-for-profit, church, government, and private organisations. With strong church contacts and one-on-one support, students will be work-ready upon graduation. However, this degree does not prepare students for work as a pastor. Those interested in pastoral ministry should consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Ministry and Theology.
Avondale is an institutional member of the Australia/New Zealand Association of Theological Studies Limited (ANZATS) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Field Educators (ANZATFE).
There are many options for satisfying the entry requirements for our courses. An applicant needs to meet at least one of the following entry requirements to be given an offer to study at Avondale.
*Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.
If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit an admission test (uniTEST and TOWA or the Skills for Tertiary Admission Test).
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic.
Applicants planning to enrol in a CHMN or CHPL coded unit as an elective, must also meet the following entry requirements:
This course is available to international students who meet the Australian government requirements for a student visa to reside in Australia for the duration of the course. It is also available online for international students residing outside Australia. For information regarding visas refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE).
Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.
The Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) consists of 24 units and requires 144 credit points for completion. All units are worth six credit points unless otherwise stated.
The 24 units required to complete the course are:
Core units | 2 units in Biblical languages 1 unit in Health & Wellbeing |
Discipline units (8 units in one discipline = Major) | 5 units in Biblical Studies (One unit must be at 300 level) 5 units in Theology (One unit must be at 300 level) 3 additional units in EITHER Biblical Studies OR Theology (2 of these units must be at 300 level) |
Minor units | 4 units chosen from any undergraduate course (with due consideration of any pre-requisite requirements) |
Elective units | 4 units chosen from any undergraduate course (with due consideration of any pre-requisite requirements) |
These units are mandatory and should be taken as early as possible in the course:
BBNT26110 | NT Greek 1A |
BBOT16110 | Hebrew 1A |
WHPE10101 | Foundations of Wellbeing |
BBNT16110 | Mark & Luke |
BBNT16150 | New Testament Epistles 1 |
ENGL21100 | The Bible as Literature |
BBBI26100 | Daniel & Revelation * |
BBOT26110 | Hebrew Prophets |
BBOT26111 | Old Testament Meta-narrative |
BBOT26120 | Torah |
BBNT36110 | Exegesis of John |
BBNT36120 | Exegesis of Matthew |
BBNT36140 | Revelation |
BBNT36150 | New Testament Epistles 2 |
BBOT36110 | Daniel |
*The unit BBBI26110 Daniel & Revelation can only be taken if the units ~ BBOT36110 Daniel and/or BBNT36140 Revelation ~ are NOT taken.
THEO16110 | Theology & Faith |
THEO16120 | Introduction to Adventist Heritage |
THEO16130 | Survey of Ethics & Philosophy |
THEO26110 | Revelation, Inspiration & Hermeneutics |
THEO26130 | Religion & Belief in Australasia |
THEO26150 | History of Christianity |
THEO36100 | Independent Topic in Christian Thought |
THEO36110 | Salvation & Eschatology |
THEO36120 | The Doctrine of God & the Work of Christ |
THEO36130 | Ecclesiology & Sabbath |
To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.
Work Integrated Learning is not a core part of this degree. However, electives in Church Ministry (CHMN) and Chaplaincy (CHPL) include a form of work integrated learning. For more information, contact the Course Convenor.
The Bachelor of Theology may assist with entry into the Master of Arts or Bachelor of Ministry & Theology. It provides a theological foundation and an opportunity for spiritual development.
This course does not provide direct entrance into employed ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.