CRICOS 063708J
An extension to the Graduate Diploma of Arts degree, allowing students to further pursue their qualifications and skills in biblical and theological studies.
The Master of Arts program is designed primarily for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline and who wish to pursue a postgraduate qualification in Theology, and who are seeking skills in theological studies to enhance their professional work.
It is focused on biblical and theological studies so that students may learn the foundations, history and beliefs of the Christian faith, to integrate them into their life as a Christian working in a professional or vocational capacity, and to reflect on contemporary issues from a Christian perspective.
The program seeks to emphasise the development of academic ability in such a way that the graduate’s service to the community is enhanced. Students who enter the program from a Bachelor of Theology or equivalent cannot do units with content similar to those covered in their undergraduate studies.
Students with an SCD Graduate Certificate in Arts may enter the program. To receive the award they are required to complete a further 72 credit points (8 units) and hand back the GradCertArts upon graduation. Students with an SCD Graduate Diploma of Arts may enter the program. To receive the award they are required to complete a further 36 credit points (four units), and hand back the GradDipArts upon graduation.
The Master of Arts consists of a total of 108 credit points (12 units).
Full-Time
The MA can be completed in as little as eighteen months (4-5 trimesters) online, in person, or a combination of both.
Part-Time
For students who are unable to study full-time, the MA can be completed part-time, online, in person, or a combination of both.
Outcomes
On completion a student should be able to:
- display a solid understanding of central issues in the specified theological discipline
- be able to evaluate critically the contributions of primary and secondary literature in the specified theological discipline
- display a deep appreciation of the contribution of the specified theological discipline to understanding life experience and Church issues
- be able to respond critically in light of the specified theological discipline to life experiences and Church issues.
Exit Points
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (36 credit points) or the Graduate Diploma of Arts (72 credit points), provided they have met the requirements of those awards.
Articulation to other Awards
The MA is itself an exit point within the MDiv program. An MA (SCD) with a particular specialisation can be considered an entry point into the Master of Theology on the following conditions:
- The specialization in the MTh must be the same as the specialization undertaken in the MA;
- In order to undertake coursework units listed on the Schedule of Course Units for the Master of Theology, the student must have met the prerequisites for those coursework units.