The course consists of 80 cp of units, as set out below. Students are normally required to complete at least 20 cp of class-based units, including either Communication & Processes in Groups or Mission of the Church before undertaking the practicums. No more than two practicums may be taken in a single semester.
Students with appropriate prior studies in theology (e.g., Bachelor of Theology, Graduate Certificate in Theology) may be permitted to take class-based units simultaneously with practicums. This makes completion in two semesters full-time possible for some students. However, the normal minimum completion time is three semesters.
The following illustrative progression applies to students entering the Graduate Diploma in Ministry from the Bachelor of Theology rather than from the Graduate Certificate in Ministry:
| First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
Second Semester of Enrolment (Part-Time) |
Third Semester of Enrolment (Part-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| E74025 Mission of the Church (10 cp) | 2 Practicums (20 cp) | 2 Practicums (20 cp) |
| E74042 Communication & Processes in Groups (10 cp) | ||
| 2 elective courses from Field E (20 cp) |
Note: There is no transfer of credit into the Graduate Diploma in Ministry for graduates of the Bachelor of Theology program (or equivalent). These students are required to substitute Field E electives for Graduate Diploma in Ministry courses completed at undergraduate level.
The following illustrative progression applies to students entering the Graduate Diploma in Ministry from the Graduate Certificate in Ministry:
| Courses credited from GCertMin | Courses credited from GCertMin | GDipMin Courses First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| E74042 Communication & Processes in Groups (10 cp) OR E74025 Mission of the Church (if commencing in Semester 1) |
2 Practicums (20 cp) | E74025 Mission of the Church (10 cp) OR E74042 Communication & Processes in Groups (if commencing in Semester 2) |
| 1 elective course from Field E (10 cp) | 1 elective course from Field E (10 cp) | |
| 2 Practicums (20 cp) |
The following illustrative progression applies to students completing the Graduate Diploma in Ministry full-time in 2 semesters:
| First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
|---|---|
| E74042 Communication & Processes in Groups (10 cp) | E74025 Mission of the Church (10 cp) |
| 1 elective course from Field E (10 cp) | 1 elective course from Field E (10 cp) |
| 2 Practicums (20 cp) | 2 Practicums (20 cp) |
Campus-based units will be offered face-to-face in classroom settings, with teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, and small group discussions. Between classes, students will engage in independent study, including library research, reading, analysis, synthesis and formation of ideas, and writing of assignments. Assessment will be as determined by the lecturer responsible for a course and will conform to BCT requirements. Typical assessment tasks include essays, short papers, oral presentations, journals, exams, and research reports.
Practicums (field education) will involve supervision of the field education experience, attendance at a weekly peer group seminar and the preparation of regular written reports and papers.
Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Ministry with a GPA of 5.00 or better will be eligible for entry into the BCT's Master of Ministry and Master of Theology courses. They will be granted 60 cp towards the Master of Ministry and 40 cp towards the Master of Theology. In order to be admitted to the thesis component of the masters courses, they will need to achieve a GPA of 5.00 or better in their combined graduate diploma and masters coursework (80 cp).