Bachelor of Ministry
Course Overview / Course Structure
| Course Name | Bachelor of Ministry |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Type | Full-time or part-time |
| Mode | On-campus or by distance education |
| Duration | 3 years (full-time equivalent) |
| Credit Points | 240 |
| Starting Semesters | 1 & 2 |
| Course Code | MS11 |
| CRICOS Code | 020767J |
| Host School | Ministries |
Course Specific Enquiries
Ph: +617 3347 7900
Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
Credit for Prior Study Enquiries
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Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
Admissions, Enrolments & General Enquiries
Ph: +617 3347 7900
Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
General Information
The Bachelor of Ministry is a three-year fulltime course, or part-time equivalent, which provides an initial professional award for Christian ministry and leadership. It provides a broad understanding of ministry in order to prepare students to fulfill a variety of fulltime ministry roles within local churches and wider society, as well as biblical, theological and ministry knowledge together with their fundamental principles and tenets. It develops students’ academic skills for lifelong learning and is designed to equip students with the practical skills to function effectively in a professional ministry context.
Career Outcomes
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Assistant roles within the church, par church or vocational situations. |
Attendance
Full-time students undertake 3-4 units per semester. Each unit is equivalent to 10 credit points). Students may enrol in fewer units per semester and extend their degree over a longer period. Australian students enrolled in three or more units may be eligible to claim Austudy benefits. International students are required to study a minimum of 30 credit hours (3 subject equivalent) per semester to fulfil Australian study visa requirements.
In order to maximise learning, it is important to engage appropriately in the learning opportunities and activities of the program. Students are therefore expected to attend at least 90% of class time unless a reason for absence (such as traffic hold-ups, mechanical breakdown or attendance at family ceremonies) has been accepted by the unit lecturer. Students who are unable to attend classes on a given day should phone the College Reception (3343 8888) by 9am so that lecturers can be notified. To substantiate reasons for absences of more than two days, students are to provide their Course Coordinator with a medical certificate for that period. Some units specifically require attendance for a pass.
Students may place their results for the semester in jeopardy and may even fail a unit because of their inability to satisfy course attendance requirements.
Attendance rules may vary from school to school and course to course. Students have a responsibly to ensure that they are fully aware of the attendance policies which apply to the schools to which their units belong. Overseas students must consult the Overseas Student Handbook.
Workload for the Course
The Bachelor of Ministry requires 240 credit points for completion. Each credit point indicates an expected student involvement of one hour per week for one semester. A standard unit carrying a weighting of 10 credit points normally involves 10 hours of study and research per week. Fulltime students normally undertake four units per semester with a weighting of 40 credit points and an expectation of 40 hours of work per week over a semester. Part-time students normally undertake one or two units per semester, with an equivalent workload per unit.
Students may apply for transfer of credit from previous studies. Application for transfer of credit is to be made at the time of entry into the course. Transfer of credit is allowed from equivalent studies in a completed degree to a maximum of 80 credit points. Transfer of credit is allowed from equivalent studies in an incomplete degree to a maximum of 120 credit points.
Students with considerable ministry experience and ministry education may apply for exemption with credit from certain units on the basis of recognition of prior learning provisions. A maximum of 80 credit points in coursework and 20 credit points in practicum units will be allowed in this regard.
During their course of study, students may also apply to engage in cross-institutional study towards the requirements of the course (see Section 3.3).
The maximum recommended time for completion of the course is 10 years. Extensions beyond this time may be available in special circumstances by application to the Dean of the School of Ministries.
In addition to the required units, including practicum units, students' involvement is required in worship and devotional meetings, ministry seminars, outreach and mission programs and workshops for the on-going enrichment and development of their personal and community life.
Course Structure
Fields of Study:
The Diploma of Ministry Studies is structured around three fields of study:
1. Field A: Biblical Studies;
2. Field B: Theology and Church History; and
3. Field C: Ministry and Mission.
Students are required to complete two majors. Of these, one extended major comprising 80 credit points of coursework units and 40 credit points of practicum units must be completed in Field C: Ministry and Mission. Exemptions of one practicum unit for one year of fulltime ministry may be granted, to a maximum of two practicum units. The second major of 70 credit points of coursework units may be completed in either Field A: Biblical Studies or Field B: Theology and Church History, while a minimum of 50 credit points must be undertaken in a third field.
In each field, introductory units (100-level) cover foundational issues and prepare students for further study in the field. Advanced units (200- and 300-levels) explore specific issues in more depth, with the 300-level units involving study and research at significant depth together with higher levels of synthesis and critical evaluation.
Core units are included in each field, and these are required of all students. Core units cover essential areas of study in preparation for ministry. They provide a background for all subsequent study and cover areas of theological, ministry and personal formation. Introductory core units are completed in the first year or part-time equivalent, while advanced core requirements will normally be completed in the second year of study or part-time equivalent.
In each coursework major, subject to specific field requirements, students must complete not more than 40 credit points at 100-level, and at least 40 credit points at advanced level, including at least 10 credit points in 300-level units. In the third field, subject to specific field requirements, a minimum of 20 credit points will be completed at advanced level.
The same unit listed in two fields may be undertaken in either field.
Field A: Biblical Studies
The core units in Field A provide an introduction to Biblical studies, including a survey of both Old and New Testaments and their backgrounds, and Hermeneutics.
Advanced elective units provide students with the opportunity to undertake more detailed studies in biblical exegesis. The range of units offered includes studies in biblical languages, and detailed study and exegesis of major sections and books of the Bible.
Students completing a major in Field A must complete the three core units together with further advanced units, including at least one 300-level unit. Students electing not to complete a major in Biblical Studies must complete the core units plus a further two advanced units.
Field A consists of the following units (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
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Biblical Studies units |
Theology and church history are combined in this field because of their continual interaction. In addition, the primary focus of the Bachelor of Ministry is on preparation for ministry rather than on extended studies in academic theology.
The core units in Field B introduce students to the theologising process and to alternative views and approaches in theological and ethical studies, including both biblical and systematic theology. The core units also explore the interaction of these areas of study, particularly the ways in which theological movements impact upon the history of the church, both past and present, and the ways in which the events of biblical and church history have shaped and continue to shape theology. These movements are examined in the context of the renewal and reformation of the church.
Advanced elective units in this field allow students to study a range of specific theological and historical issues, including contemporary developments in the theological and historical encounter of the church with society and culture.
Students completing a major in Field B must complete the three core units together with four further advanced units, including at least one 300-level unit. Students electing not to complete a major in Field B must complete the core units plus two further advanced units.
Field B consists of the following units (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
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Theology and Church History units (60 credit points)
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Field C: Ministry and Mission
The five core units in this field introduce students to ministry by applying theological understandings to the exploration of essential aspects of ministry development, the personal and spiritual formation of the minister, and primary areas of ministry in the church and wider society.
Advanced elective units in this field cover a range of areas of ministry and mission. Students have the opportunity to develop a particular emphasis in areas of ministry and mission as well as to gain significant breadth of experience in ministry.
Students completing the major must complete the five core units together with three further advanced units, including at least one 300-level unit. A minimum of four practicum units must also be completed.
Field C consists of the following units (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
Practicum Units
In addition to coursework units, students will be involved in supervised field experience that provides the opportunity to gain experience in the practice of ministry in a variety of contexts.
Each practicum is related to a coursework unit in Field C. Students must enrol in a practicum unit in the same semester in which the related coursework unit is studied, or subsequent to that coursework unit having been studied
While each practicum has a specific focus related to its corresponding course unit, the practicum units also involve significant integration and relationship across units enabling a holistic approach and experience of ministry. Increasing competence in an action-reflection model of ministry is required throughout practicums, and students are expected to show integration across ministry areas in their final practicum.
Students can apply to undertake a practicum as an intensive course of 140 hours. In such cases the requirements of the practicum includes pre placement preparation and post placement reflection and evaluation.
