The requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma in Theology are the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Theology, plus completion of 40 cp of electives, as set out below. Prior to conferral of the Graduate Diploma in Theology, a candidate who holds the BCT Graduate Certificate in Theology must surrender it.
In all, the Graduate Diploma in Theology course comprises 80 cp of units of which a minimum of 60 cp must be completed in at least three of the fields traditional to the study of theology: Biblical Studies (Field A/B), Systematic and Moral Theology (Field C), Church History (Field D), and Philosophy (Field H). For the remaining 20 cp the students' fields of choice are extended to include not only Fields A/B, C, D, and H, but also Field E (Ministry and Mission):
| First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) Core courses credited from GCertTheol |
Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
|---|---|
| A/B73014 Studying the Scriptures I - Method & Hermeneutics | 1 elective from Field A/B |
| C73113 Introducing Theology | 1 elective from Field C |
| D73011 The Early Church to 500 CE OR D73024 Introduction to Church History |
1 elective from Field D, E, or H |
| H73060 Introduction to Philosophy OR C73050 Introduction to Christian Liturgy |
1 elective Field A/B, C, D, E, or H |
The BCT is seeking approval to introduce a suite of liturgy courses into the Graduate Diploma in Theology. This is in response to considerable interest among lay people within all of the member Churches, and particularly within the Catholic Church, where there is increasing need for lay people to develop understandings and skills which will enable them to play a leadership role in the liturgical life of their local parishes.
The proposal is to create a specialisation in liturgical studies within the Graduate Diploma in Theology, and to recognise this specialisation on graduation by providing an appropriate endorsement on the testamurs of eligible candidates: Graduate Diploma in Theology (Liturgy), sitting alongside the more generic Graduate Diploma in Theology.
In general terms, the course requirements for students doing a specialisation in liturgy will be very similar to those for students following the standard pathway. The major differences are that the liturgy students will choose their electives from a more restricted range of units specifically identified as being liturgy units, and that the liturgy students will not have the option of including philosophy electives in their program.
The course of study for students taking the liturgy specialisation is presented in the following table. The specific liturgy electives are identified in the Schedule of Offerings in the Section Program Regulations. In addition to gaining a broad overview of the fields of theological studies, liturgy candidates will complete four units in liturgy, designed to expand their knowledge and understanding of theology from a liturgical perspective:
| First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) Core courses credited from GCertTheol |
Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time) |
|---|---|
| A/B73014 Studying the Scriptures I - Method & Hermeneutics |
1 elective from Field A/B |
| C73113 Introducing Theology | 1 liturgy elective Field C |
| D73011 The Early Church to 500 CE OR D73024 Introduction to Church History |
1 liturgy elective from Fields D or E |
| C73050 Introduction to Christian Liturgy | 1 liturgy elective from Fields C, D, or E |
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 unit and will conform to BCT requirements. Typical assessment tasks include essays, short papers, oral presentations, journals, exams, and research reports.
Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Theology with a GPA of 5.00 or better will be eligible for entry into the BCT's Master of Theology and Master of Ministry courses and will be granted 40 cp towards these courses.