Master of Arts

• critically engage with a complex body of knowledge in a way that demonstrates specialised advanced understanding, reflection, and creative application of recent developments in Ministry Studies or Theological Studies;
• generate in-depth evidence-based perspectives on specialised issues in Ministry Studies or Theological Studies by engaging the academic literature, applying research principles and skills, evaluating alternative accounts and drawing reasoned conclusions;
• analyse, research and synthesis complex ideas and concepts grounded in professional practice in ministry and/or theology;
• effectively disseminate research outcomes and innovations to a variety of audiences using highly developed communication skills;
• demonstrate emotional and cultural intelligence in relation to new contexts and issues encountered in theological readings and the professional practice of ministry.

To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:

• an Australian Bachelor of Ministry and/or Theology or equivalent, or
• Avondale’s Graduate Certificate in Arts, or
• an overseas ministry or theology qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Applicants opting for the Youth & 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 ministry experience (Pastoral Leadership or Theology/Biblical Studies Specialisation), or chaplaincy experience (Chaplaincy Studies Specialisation), or youth/family ministry experience (Youth and Family Ministry Specialisation) 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 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:

1. achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
2. one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or
3. 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 Master of Arts (MA) consists of 12 units of study and requires 72 credit points (CPs) for completion. All units are worth 6 CPs unless otherwise stated.

• This course is only offered part-time. Students generally complete 3 units per year over 4 years in a part-time program.
• Units are year long and include a compulsory intensive which is usually 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 mixed mode units.
• Not all units or all specialisations are available every year (e.g. the availability of 'Chaplaincy Studies' and 'Youth and Family Ministry' specialisations are subject to adequate cohort numbers). Course Convenor guidance regarding units and unit availability is highly recommended.

The 12 units required to complete the course are:

• 3 core units (compulsory);
• 5 specialisation units (all students must select a specialisation); and
• 1 of the following options:

1.One research project ~ THRE53000 Capstone Research Project (6 CPs) and 3 electives; OR

2.One research methods unit (LAMC50000 or EDUC50000), and one extended research project unit ~ THRE52000 Extended Research Project (18 CPs).

Core units

Students complete all of:

*NB Students selecting the Chaplaincy Specialisation do not complete THBB56600.

Specialisations

Students complete all units within their specialisation. See the ‘Specialisation lists’ below.

Elective units

Elective units may be selected from the Master of Arts or any Masters offered at Avondale. Course Convenor guidance is recommended.

Research units

The 6 CP research project consists of 5000 words.

The 18 CP research project consists of 15000 words.

Specialisation lists

Pastoral Leadership

Chaplaincy Studies

Theology/Biblical Studies

Youth & Family Ministries

Pathways

Completion of the 18 CP research unit may enable articulation onto a PhD.

Students can exit this course with a:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts on successful completion of 4 units. These must include at least 1 of 3 core units and 2 units from a chosen specialisation.
• Graduate Diploma in Arts on successful completion of 8 units. These must include at least 1 of 3 core units and 4 units from a chosen specialisation.

For the Chaplaincy specialty, 400 hours of approved clinical work is required for each unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.

There is no internship or work experience requirement for the other specialties.

The New South Wales College of Clinical Pastoral Education accredits the units in clinical pastoral education.