For Commencing Degree Students

This is some generic course advice on how to proceed.

Which degree?

You might wish to discuss with your course advisor as to which degree option you are going to start out with, but here's the basic process:

Step 1: pick your flavour. A Degree in Theology, Ministry, or Christian Studies? There's much in common, but:

• A degree in theology requires some more theology, church history, and (introductory) language subjects. 
• A degree in ministry requires a greater number of practical subjects. 
• A degree in Christian Studies includes up to one year advanced standing from another qualification in another discipline. 
• The Bachelor of Divinity is designed for those who have completed a degree in another discipline, but do not wish to commence theological studies at postgraduate level. 

This decision is pretty easy to change after a semester or two, as you'll be starting with the common core subjects anyway. See the planning spreadsheets for full details of required subjects.

Step 2: pick the length. 

• A standard-length degree is 24 units and needs to be completed in 9 years.
• An associate degree is only 16 units and needs to be completed in 6 years.
• The Bachelor of Christian studies is 16 units of theological study (in 6 years) + 1 completed year of undergraduate study at an Australian university.
• There is also a combined degree (Dip.Min. & Dip.Th.) involving 32 units and needs to be completed in 12 years.

Again, you can always change at any time, but it's good to know what you're aiming for. 

What subjects do I start with? (2023 advice)

If you're part-time, just pick some of the core subjects (see spreadsheet and the Morling timetable). We advise beginning with OT001-512 and/or NT001-512, and continuing in second semester with OT002-512 and/or NT002-512. This gives you a full Bible overview and forms the basis for your other subjects. 

A full-time load is 3 or 4 units. (3 is the minimum to qualify for Austudy; international students on a student visa must enrol in 4.)

In semester 1 2023 we recommend:

• NT001-512 (Jesus & the Gospels)
• OT001-512 (OT Foundations) 

Choose 1 or 2 from the following:

• CH001-512 (Church History)
• PC001-512 (Ministry Formation) 
• LA002-512 (Intro to NT Greek - available online only) 
• TH031-512 (Theology of Mission)
• PE010-512 (Christian Worldview)

Bachelor of Divinity students should enrol in the level 6 versions of the above units; BTh/BMin/BCS students are not permitted to enrol in these at level 6. 

Bachelor of Christian Studies students need to keep in mind that they can do a maximum of 8 units (96 cps) at level 5. Of the remaining 8 units (96 cps), 6 of them (72 cps) must be at level 7. 

If you're intending to study a language (a requirement for the B.Th.) it's good to start it in your first full-time year so you have room to study set Biblical books in that language. So you can choose either:

• LA005-612 (NT Greek A) - continues to Greek B in S2; OR
• LA003-612 (Biblical Hebrew A) - continues to Hebrew B in S2

You can also choose other AQF6 level units, although some have pre- or co-requisites (like Bible exegesis units and Theology units). Speak to your course advisor if you want to choose a unit ending in -612 to see if it's possible (or wise).  If a unit is available at levels 5, 6, and 8, the level 6 unit is only open to BDiv students. If it is available at levels 6, 7, and 8, the level 6 is available to all degree students.