Graduate Certificate in Arts

• critically engage with a body of knowledge in a way that demonstrates an advanced understanding and application of recent developments in Ministry Studies or Theological Studies;
• form evidence-based perspectives on advanced issues in Ministry Studies or Theological Studies by engaging the academic literature, evaluating alternative accounts and drawing reasoned conclusions;
• Evaluate and generate complex ideas and concepts that are grounded in professional practice using cognitive, technical and creative skills;
• effectively disseminate outcomes to a variety of audiences using highly developed communication skills.

To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:

• an Australian Bachelor of Ministry and/or Theology or equivalent, or
• an overseas ministry or theology qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher.

Applicants opting for the Youth and Family Ministry or Chaplaincy specialisation may have completed a Bachelor in Chaplaincy with a major in Theology, or a Bachelor of Education or Teaching with a major in Religious Studies as approved by the Course Convenor.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

This course has additional entry requirements which are listed below:

1. A minimum of two years of ministry or chaplaincy experience and current (or recent) employment in the field.
2. A written summary of ministerial and/or chaplaincy experience (whichever is relevant) and reasons for wanting to enter this course (250 words).

International Students

This course is not available to international students on a student visa (subclass 500) or for those who wish to study on a student visa.

This course is available online for international students who want to study from their home country BUT must be eligible for a visitor visa (subclass 600), and able to come to Australia for the intensive study periods which are a mandatory requirement of mixed mode units.

International students on a visa other than a student visa with no study limitations, may choose to study full-time or part-time in any study mode.
(Students are considered a domestic student if they hold a permanent residency visa.)

English Language Requirements

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 overall with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
• one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or
• documentary evidence of a prior qualification (or at least two years of tertiary study) conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country^ and completed within the last two years.

^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Advanced Standing

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 Graduate Certificate in Arts (GCA) consists of 4 units and requires 24 credit points (CPs) for completion. All units are worth 6 CPs unless otherwise stated.

• This course is only offered part time. Students generally complete 2 units per year over 2 years part-time.
• Units are year-long and include a compulsory intensive which is normally completed face to face on-campus. International students must be eligible and able to come to Australia, and domestic students able to attend the intensive study periods which are a mandatory requirement of the program.
• Not all units or all specialisations are available every year. Course Convenor guidance regarding units and unit availability is highly recommended.

The 4 units required to complete the course are as follows:

For an award with NO specialisation students can select any four units.

For an award WITH a specialisation students must:

1. Select up to 2 units from the core units; and
2. Select at least 2 units from a specialisation.

Core Units:

Specialisation units must be chosen from the same list.

Specialisation lists:

Pastoral Leadership

Chaplaincy Studies

Youth and Family Ministry

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