Master of Theology

• Entry Requirements
• General Information
• Course Objectives
• Course Regulations
• Course Structure
• Rationale
• Cycle of Offerings by year & semester 2008-2009
• Scheduled Unit Outlines 2008

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Course Structure

 

The course consists of 80 cp of coursework electives plus a 40 cp thesis. Students must also complete Research Methodology for Theologians (a compulsory series of not-for-credit workshops, seminars and colloquia designed to assist students to develop their research and thesis-writing skills).

Students are required to complete a specialisation of 40 cp of electives drawn from one of the traditional fields of theology: Biblical Studies (Field A/B), Systematic and Moral Theology (Field C), Church History (Field D), or Philosophy (Field H).

The remaining 40 cp of coursework may be drawn from any field including Field E (Ministry and Mission) but must include a minimum of 20 cp in a single field other than the field of specialisation.

The thesis is to be completed in the area of specialisation.

Sample programs of study (a) for a full-time student who previously completed the BCT's Bachelor of Theology, (b) for a full-time student who previously completed the Graduate Diploma in Theology, and (c) for a full-time student who previously completed the Graduate Diploma in Ministry are presented in the following tables:

1. Possible course of study for a Bachelor of Theology graduate enrolling full-time in the Master of Theology:

   First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)	Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)	Third Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)
   2 electives in projected field of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H) (20 cp)	2 electives in confirmed field of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H) (20 cp)	T75098 Thesis in area of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H) (40 cp)
   2 electives in a possible alternative field of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H) (20 cp). See Note 1.	2 electives in any field (A/B, C. D, E or H) (20 cp)
   X74097 Research Methodology for Theologians I (0 cp)	X74098 Research Methodology for Theologians II (0 cp)

   Notes:

   1. In the shaded cell, Field E electives may be substituted for electives in a possible alternative field of specialisation if the student, following consultation with their Academic Dean, has made a clear decision about which of Fields A/B, C, D and H will be their field of specialisaton.
   2. Bachelor of Theology (or equivalent) graduates who have completed 80 credit points of Master of Theology units in accordance with the course rules and who no longer intend to complete the thesis may apply to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Theology.
   3. Students who wish to take their undergraduate studies in a particular unit to a more advanced level may be able to do so by enrolling in an appropriate specialised study approved by their Academic Dean.
2. Possible program of study for a Graduate Diploma in Theology graduate enrolling full-time in the Master of Theology:

   Courses credited from GDipTheol	First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)	Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)
   2 electives in projected field of specialisation (A/B, C. D or H) (20 cp)	2 electives in confirmed field of specialisation (A/B, C. D or H) (20 cp)	T75098 Thesis in area of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H) (40 cp)
   2 electives from 2 different non-specialisation fields (20 cp) A Field E elective may be included.	1 elective from 1 of the non-specialisation fields chosen in the first semester (10 cp) A Field E elective may be included.
   	1 elective in any field (A/B, C. D, E or H) (10 cp)
   	X74097 Research Methodology for Theologians I (0 cp) X74098 Research Methodology for Theologians II (0 cp)

3. Program of study for a Graduate Diploma in Ministry graduate enrolling full-time in the Master of Theology:

   Courses credited from GDipMin	First Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)	Second Semester of Enrolment (Full-Time)
   4 Field E courses completed in the GDipMin program (40 cp)	4 electives in chosen field of specialisation (A/B, C. D or H - not E) (40 cp)	T75098 Thesis in area of specialisation (A/B, C, D or H - not E) (40 cp)
   	X74097 Research Methodology for Theologians I (0 cp) X74098 Research Methodology for Theologians II (0 cp)

Teaching Modes and Assessment Strategies

Units will be offered in both classroom mode and by way of specialised studies under supervision. The former will include lectures, seminars, and small group discussion. Between classes and meetings with supervising lecturers, 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 in the coursework part of the degree include essays, short papers, oral presentations, journals, exams, and research reports. The thesis will comprise an extended piece of scholarly writing within the student's field of specialisation.

Articulation with Other Programs

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Theology or the Graduate Diploma in Ministry will be granted 40 cp towards the Master of Theology.