Master of Divinity: 3 Yrs
Master of Divinity (3 Yrs full time)
The QTC MDiv is an integrated programme of theological training designed to prepare people for full-time ministry in local churches, overseas mission contexts and various para-church roles. It is particularly targetted at those who have previously studied at tertiary level.
Students study a set program of subjects designed to introduce them to the major areas of the Bible (OT, NT, Greek and Hebrew language subjects) and how biblical ministry functions in all kinds of real-world contexts with their different social and cultural challenges (Theology, Ethics, Church History and Practical subjects). There is some opportunity within the program for students to focus on areas of particular relevance to their future ministries through our range of electives.
The BTh is accredited through the Australian College of Theology (ACTh) and is a recognised course for the purposes of Austudy, Youth Allowance, FEE-HELP and for overseas students.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants are expected to have completed at least a three-year Australian university degree (or its overseas equivalent). It is not available to those who have previously completed a primary degree in theology (such as a Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Divinity or Bachelor of Ministry).
Course Structure:
The MDiv is ideally studied as a full-time course over three years. Students may also study part-time (see below), but may not enjoy some of the benefits of the integrated curriculum as a result. QTC does not offer the MDiv or any of its component subjects by distance as we believe that preparation for ministry occurs best within the context of real Christian community and face-to-face learning. We do however offer a small number of MDiv-level subjects in intensive mode. All students must complete 96 credit points (i.e. 24 Semester subjects) including a common core of subjects.
At QTC, full-time students follow an integrated course of study, designed to help them to see the connections between different subjects, and between their subjects and the real world. The full-time MDiv courseplan can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
MDiv courseplan for students commencing in odd years (2009, 2011)
MDiv courseplan for students commencing in even years (2008, 2010)
Part-time MDiv students at QTC complete the same list of core subjects as covered by full-time students in the above courseplan, and choose their electives from the same list. 16 credit points or 4 Semester units of foundation-level (500-level) subjects must be passed before students can enrol in any advanced (600-level) subjects. In addition to the regulations applying to the BTh in the relevant ACTh Handbook, part-time students should also note the following in relation to the BTh at QTC:
- As Early Church History (CH505) is the only 500-level Church History subject offered at QTC, it is effectively a prerequisite for all of our other CH subjects. Also, Continental Reformation (CH621) is a prerequisite to Modern Evangelical Movement (CH625) which is in turn a prerequisite to Australian Church History (CH609). Taking your church history subjects in this order will mean that you can make a lot more sense of the advanced subjects, and therefore gain much more from your study in this area of your degree.
- Students may not normally take 500-level electives offered at QTC (such as PC515, Christian Worship) until they have passed all of those core subjects normally taken by full-time first-year students (LA004, OT501 & 502, NT501 & 502, CRN51 & CH505). We believe that you will be able to gain much more from these electives if you take them having already completed these core subjects.
- Although TH601-604 may be taken after only 16 credit points of 500-level subjects, we would normally recommend that students not attempt any of these units until they have completed the full requirements of the first year of the degree - our theology subjects are designed to be integrative of all your other studies, and you will get more from them by taking them after you have coveredthe whole first year course.
Combined MDiv/GradDipDiv
This four-year course option is designed for those who would like to broaden and deepen their theological training beyond the level possible within the 96 credit points of the MDiv. The combined course includes the equivalent of another eight 4 credit point subject units, leading to a total of 128 credit points. The requirements of the MDiv must be met in terms of core subjects and the number of credit points passed in different subject areas. However, the student is effectively able to choose a further eight electives, enabling, for instance, study of a greater proportion of the Old and/or New Testaments, or additional areas of church history or extra practical subjects.