The Master of Theological Studies is a 72-unit program, comprising coursework and research, which is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law on a fee-paying basis.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold an approved three-year degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
The course is designed to provide teachers of religious education, other professionals in the field of religion and people with a general interest in religion with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary theology and biblical studies, and to provide opportunities to reflect on theological dimensions of professional and social life. It includes an opportunity to undertake a research project on a theme of personal interest or relevance to their professional work. It is anticipated that students who satisfactorily complete a substantial project may be eligible to undertake a research higher degree in Theology.
The Master of Theological Studies aims to:
- provide students with the opportunity to critically examine literature, engage in debate and reflection, and develop in-depth knowledge in an area of theology or biblical studies
- provide students with the opportunity to undertake and produce an extended research project/dissertation on a contemporary issue in theology or biblical studies
Learning outcomes
At completion of the Master of Theological Studies, students will:
- be able to demonstrate their in-depth knowledge of the literature and texts of an area of theology or biblical studies from an informed critical perspective
- be able to discuss and evaluate current theory and research in a selected area of study
- be able to contribute to informed theological academic debate and knowledge
- have developed effective independent research and analytical skills and applied these in a research project
- be able to demonstrate effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
Credit
Limited credit may be granted for recognition of prior studies undertaken at the University or other approved tertiary institutions.
Applicants holding an approved four-year honours degree in Theology or a Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies may be granted up to 36 units of credit. Applicants holding a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies may be granted up to 18 units of credit. Applicants may be granted up to 36 units of credit for approved, relevant work experience.
The maximum credit which will be granted for any combination of approved four-year degree and approved, relevant work experience will be 36 units.
Applicants holding an approved graduate certificate in a related field may be granted up to 18 units of credit.
Program of study
To qualify for the Master of Theological Studies, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
Core - Year 1 & 2 topics
THEO8102 Reading the Old Testament (4.5 units)
THEO8202 Interpreting the Gospels (4.5 units)
THEO8307 Jesus Christ: A Theological Introduction (4.5 units)
THEO8314 Theology: Revelation and Grace (4.5 units)
plus one of
THEO9021 Master of Theological Studies Individual Project (4.5 units)
THEO9012 Master of Theological Studies Dissertation (9 units)
THEO9011 Master of Theological Studies Dissertation (18 units)
Option - Year 1 & 2 topics
Students select option topics to make up the 72 units required for their degree.
THEO2110 Old Testament Exegesis: Israel's Response to Exile (4.5 units)
THEO2111 Old Testament Exegesis: Pentateuch (4.5 units)
THEO2216 Pauline Letters (4.5 units)
THEO2217 Romans (4.5 units)
THEO2220 Bible and Popular Culture (4.5 units)
THEO2410 Reformation Church History (4.5 units)
THEO2411 Service as Good News -The Diaconate in History (4.5 units)
THEO2520 Exploring Cross-Cultural Ministry (4.5 units)
THEO2521 Ministry and Mission Studies 1 (4.5 units)
THEO2522 Towards Reconciliation: a theological understanding of the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Australia (4.5 units)
THEO2704 Biblical Greek 1 (4.5 units)
THEO2705 Biblical Hebrew I (4.5 units)
THEO3002 Biblical Hermeneutics: Making Sense of the Bible (4.5 units)
THEO3109 Old Testament Exegesis: The Writings of the Hebrew Bible (4.5 units)
THEO3111 Old Testament Exegesis: Prophets (4.5 units)
THEO3215 Voices of Jewish Christianity (4.5 units)
THEO3216 The Passion of Jesus, Passion of Christians (4.5 units)
THEO3217 Study Tour: Lands of the Bible (4.5 units)
THEO3330 Religious Pluralism in a Contemporary World (4.5 units)
THEO3331 Christian Ethics: Morality, Ethics and Being a Disciple of Christ (4.5 units)
THEO3333 Church and Ministry (4.5 units)
THEO3334 Appreciating God's Presence: Exploring Christian Sacraments (4.5 units)
THEO3335 God the Trinity (4.5 units)
THEO3336 Church, Ministry and Sacraments (4.5 units)
THEO3337 Philosophy and Christian Thought (4.5 units)
THEO3411 Medieval Church History (4.5 units)
THEO3412 Modern Church History (4.5 units)
THEO3511 Ministry and Mission Studies 2 (4.5 units)
THEO3705 Biblical Greek 2 (4.5 units)
THEO3706 Biblical Greek 3 (4.5 units)
THEO3707 Biblical Hebrew 2 (4.5 units)
THEO3708 Biblical Hebrew 3 (4.5 units)
THEO7106 Readings in Old Testament Studies (4.5 units)
THEO7204 Readings in New Testament Studies (4.5 units)
THEO7306 Readings in Systematic Theology (4.5 units)
THEO7307 Readings in Bioethics (4.5 units)
THEO7405 Readings in Church History (4.5 units)
THEO7501 Readings in Ministry Studies (4.5 units)
THEO8003 Guided Study in Theology (4.5 units)
THEO8103 Ecology and the Bible (4.5 units)
THEO8203 Texts, Artifacts and Culture (4.5 units)
THEO8309 Biomedical Ethics (4.5 units)
THEO8310 History, Destiny and Hope: Introducing Christian Eschatology (4.5 units)
THEO8311 Living in Time and Eternity: Eucharist and the Liturgical Year (4.5 units)
THEO8312 Quest for the Spirit: Exploring Theology and the Arts (4.5 units)
THEO8313 Sex, Ethics and Christianity (4.5 units)
THEO9031 Research Methods Seminar (4.5 units)
THEO9032 Special Topic in Theological Studies (9 units) OR
THEO9032A Special Topic in Theological Studies (4.5 units)
THEO9309 Guided Study in Liturgy (4.5 units)
THEO9501 Guided Study in Christian Spirituality (4.5 units)