Bachelor of Theology Course Information
Description
The Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) is a comprehensive three year undergraduate degree enabling students to lay sound foundations in the key theological disciplines and engage in more detailed study in selected areas. Candidates for Christian ministries can use the BTheol to meet many of the academic prerequisites for ordination with a wide range of units and disciplines available. It can be completed part time for a period of up to nine years.
BTheol students learn through becoming a member of one of the MCD University of Divinity’s Recognised Teaching Institutions (RTI). Each RTI is committed to providing a supportive community of scholarship, teaching from its own heritage with an ecumenical openness towards others. Students may take units at other RTIs, and permission may be sought to have units from non-MCD University of Divinity institutions. The Coursework Coordinator at each RTI assists students with course enquiries and planning on enrolment.
Course Outcome
BTheol graduates will have developed high-level capacities in analytical thinking, interpreting primary documents, engaging with ideas, and integrating belief andlife.
BTheol graduates may articulate into the Graduate Diploma of Theology (Specialised), the Master of Theological Studies, The Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts (Coursework).
Course Structure
To be awarded the BTheol, a total of 360 credit points (24 standard units) must be completed.
Each standard BTheol unit (15 credit points) runs for one semester of 15 weeks, including three weeks for reading and examination, and normally has three class hours in each teaching week, including tutorials. Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and tutorials with class sizes rarely over 30, and many much smaller.
Entry Requirement
The Bachelor degrees are open to persons who have completed Year 12, International Baccalaureate or overseas equivalent. Probationary entry is available to mature-age (21 years or over) students without a Year 12 qualification.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods range from traditional academic essays, assignments and examination to writing a journal, group projects or competency assessment. The methods used for each unit must be approved by the MCD University of Divinity Coursework Studies Committee, to ensure equity in standards.
Assessment methods seek to reflect the growing depth of learning involved. Level 1 introduces a discipline and lays foundations for further study; Level 2 takes students on to the deeper and more focused issues in the discipline; Level 3 brings a student to graduate standing.
Duration
The Bachelor of Theology must be completed in no less than three and not more than nine years.
Study Mode
Candidates normally attend classes on-campus.
Requirement to Receive Qualification
360 points, normally 24 units, including:
a) Three sub-major sequences (30 points at level 1 + 30 points at level 2):
- Biblical Studies (including minor sequences in each Testament);
- Systematic Theology, and
- One discipline in Theology: Mission and Ministry (Field D) or One discipline in Humanities (Field A)
Two of the sub-major sequences must articulate to major sequences (a major is a submajor with a further 30 points at level 3)
b) Two minor sequences (30 points in one discipline)
- Church History and
- Any one discipline
c) A further 60 points from one or more disciplines.
Note: At least 60 points must be included from Theology: Mission and Ministry (Field D).