Master of Arts

The Master of Arts provides postgraduate education to Christian leaders through three specialisations; pastoral leadership, chaplaincy studies and theology/biblical studies. The degree equips students for greater effectiveness in ministry to churches, schools, hospitals and the wider community. There are three core units - Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality (CMIN51100, Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry (THBB56600), and Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application (CMIN52110).

Pastoral Leadership Specialisation

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality

2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry

3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application

4. Theological Framework for Pastoral Leadership

5. Perspectives on Luke-Acts

6. Church Planting in Biblical and Contemporary Perspective

7. Theology of Mission

8. Mission in/to Pluralistic Societies

Chaplaincy Studies Specialisation

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality

2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry

3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application

4. Fundamentals of Counselling

5. Ethics, Diversity and Spiritual Integration

6. Therapeutic Communication

7. Clinical Pastoral Education 1

8. Theological Framework for Chaplaincy Studies

Theology/Biblical Studies Specialisation

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality

2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry

3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application

4. Principles and Methods of Theology

5. Issues in Contemporary Theology

6. Perspectives on Luke-Acts

7. Motifs in Adventism

8. Recent Approaches to the Parables of Jesus

Upon successful completion of the Master of Arts, graduates will be able to:

• 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;
• Create evidence-based perspectives on specialised 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 research outcomes 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.

The Master of Arts provides continuing career advancement for pastors, chaplains and para-church leaders.

GENERAL ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission, you must have completed:

• An Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 bachelor of ministry and theology, bachelor of theology, bachelor of arts (in theology), bachelor of arts/bachelor of teaching, or equivalent from an accredited university or higher education provider; or
• An overseas ministry or theology qualification comparable to an Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 or higher

SPECIFIC ADMISSION CRITERIA

We typically require a minimum of two years of chaplaincy or ministry experience with accountability to an appropriate professional or official if you plan to study one of the following specialisations. Your application must include:

Pastoral Leadership and Theology/Biblical Studies

• An Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 bachelor's degree in ministry and or theology from an accredited university or higher education provider; and
• A written summary of ministry experience; and
• A written recommendation from a recognised Church official

Chaplaincy Studies

• A written summary of chaplaincy experience; and
• A written recommendation from a recognised chaplaincy practitioner, senior school leader or principal

ADVANCED STANDING

Applicants with an Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 9 qualification (or higher) in a cognate area may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Refer to the Advanced Standing Policy for more information.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must meet the Australian Government's visa requirements to visit Australia while undertaking Winter school at Avondale University.

For more information, visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicant's who completed their bachelor's degree (or overseas equivalent) in a language other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no sub-band below 6.0.

Course duration: Four years part time (One and a half year full-time equivalent).
Study mode: On-campus/Distance

Maximum time to complete: Four years

Twelve units, of six credit points each (or equivalent), studied over four years part time, from one of three specialisations, to total 72 credit points.

There are 3 core units, namely, 

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality (CMIN51100)
2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry (THBB56600)
3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application (CMIN52110)

The three specialisations are pastoral leadership, chaplaincy studies and theology/biblical studies:

 

1. Pastoral Leadership specialisation 

The MA with a specialisation in Pastoral Leadership has three options.

The first option is for students to complete 8 units, including 3 core units, of the pastoral leadership specialisation, and 4 electives from any units from the suite of level 9 offerings across Avondale’s courses.

The second option is for students to complete 8 units of the pastoral leadership specialisation, 2 electives from the suite of level 9 offerings across Avondale’s courses, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and a 6 credit point research project (THRE51000).

The third option is for students to complete 8 units of the pastoral leadership specialisation, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and an 18 credit point research project (THRE51000). Those students who opt for an 18 credit point research project can potentially go on to study a professional doctorate (DMin) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD).

Units

The following 8 units form the specialisation. Each unit is worth 6 credit points.

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality (CMIN51100)
2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry (THBB56600)
3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application (CMIN52110)
4. Theological Framework for Pastoral Leadership (THBB57000)
5. Perspectives on Luke-Acts (THBB54100)
6. Church Planting in Biblical and Contemporary Perspective(CMIN53100)
7. Theology of Mission (THBB55100)
8. Mission in/to Pluralistic Societies (CMIN56110)

 

2. Chaplaincy studies specialisation 

The MA with a specialisation in Chaplaincy Studies offers three options. 

The first option is for students to complete 8 units, including 3 core units, that constitute the chaplaincy studies specialisation and 4 electives from any units from the suite of level 9 offerings across Avondale’s courses.

The second option is for students to complete 8 units that constitute the chaplaincy studies specialisation and 2 electives from any units from the suite of level 8 and9 offerings across across Avondale’s courses, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and a 6 credit point research project (THRE51000).

The third option is for students to complete 8 units that constitute the chaplaincy studies specialisation, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and an 18 credit point research project (THRE51000). Those students who opt for an 18 credit point research project can potentially go on to study a professional doctorate (DMin) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD).

Units

The following 8 units form the specialisation. Each unit is worth 6 credit points.

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality  (CMIN51100)
2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry (THBB56600)
3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application (CMIN52110)
4. Fundamentals of Counselling for Chaplains (CHPL41500)
5. Ethics, Diversity and Spiritual Integration for Chaplains (CHPL45130)
6. Therapeutic Communication for Chaplains (CHPL45100)
7. Clinical Pastoral Education 1 (CMIN56500)
8. Theological Framework for Chaplaincy Studies (THBB56900)

 

3. Theology/Biblical studies specialisation

The degree specialisation offers three options.

The first option is for students to complete 4 units in theology and 4 units in biblical studies that constitute the theology/biblical studies specialisation and 4 electives from any units from the suite of level 9 offerings across Avondale’s courses. These includes the 3 core units.

The second option is for students to complete 4 units in theology and 4 units in biblical studies and 2 electives from any units from the suite of level 9 offerings across Avondale’s courses, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and a 6 credit point research project (THRE51000).

The third option is for students to complete 4 units in theology and 4 units in biblical studies, the Research Methods in Theological Research unit (THRE50000) and an 18 credit point research project (THRE51000). Those students who opt for an 18 credit point research project can potentially go on to study a professional doctorate (DMin) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD).

Units

The following 8 units form the specialisation. Each unit is worth 6 credit points.

1. Graduate Studies in Biblical Spirituality (CMIN51100)
2. Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership for Ministry (THBB56600)
3. Discipleship and Disciple-making – Meaning, Context and Application (CMIN52110)
4. Principles and Methods of Theology (THBB50800)
5. Issues in Contemporary Theology (THBB51000)
6. Perspectives on Luke-Acts (THBB54100)
7. Motifs in Adventism (THBB52700)
8. Recent Approaches to the Parables of Jesus (THBB53200)

 

The 18 credit point research project will be a major project of 15 000 words in any of the specialisations.

 

Exit Points:

Avondale University College will offer, in line with TEQSA directives, an “Opt out” model for this Master of Arts. This model provides for those students, unable to complete for some reason, a pre-defined range of:

• four units that would count toward a Graduate Certificate in Arts with a specialisation in pastoral leadership or chaplaincy studies; or
• eight units that would count to a Graduate Diploma in Arts with a specialisation in pastoral leadership or chaplaincy studies.

Students can also earn a Graduate Certificate in Arts or Graduate Diploma in Arts without a specialisation.

 

To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.

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 Master of Arts is accredited by Avondale University College as the institution is now a self-accrediting higher education institution and all of its higher education courses are nationally registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

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

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