Diploma of Biblical Studies
Course Overview / Course Structure
| Course Name | Diploma of Biblical Studies |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Type | Full-time or part-time |
| Mode | On-campus or by distance education |
| Duration | 1 year (full-time equivalent) |
| Credit Points | 80 |
| Starting Semesters | 1 & 2 |
| Course Code | MS04 |
| CRICOS Code | 056900A |
| Host School | Ministries |
Course Specific Enquiries
Ph: +617 3347 7900
Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
Credit for Prior Study Enquiries
Ph: +617 3347 7900
Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
Admissions, Enrolments & General Enquiries
Ph: +617 3347 7900
Email: enquiries@chc.edu.au
General Information
The Diploma of Biblical Studies is a one-year fulltime course, or part-time equivalent, which consists of related units from Field A and Field B of the Bachelor of Ministry. The Diploma of Biblical Studies is intended to serve as a foundational year for students seeking an initial exposure to God's word, to basic biblical doctrines, and to the tenets and principles of faith.
The Diploma of Biblical Studies seeks to provide guidance for the effective preparation for ministry of teachers, missionaries, church leaders and other ministry and vocational personnel, and aims to provide students with a coherent program of foundational biblical and theological knowledge to enable them to apply a Christian perspective to their life in the world, including their professional and vocational life. The Diploma of Biblical Studies also supplies other disciplines of learning with a means to integrate human knowledge with God's revelation in Scripture.
Students who complete the Diploma of Biblical Studies may enrol later in the Bachelor of Ministry degree, and upon completion of that degree will surrender the Diploma.
Career Outcomes
 |
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 Diploma of Biblical Studies requires 80 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. A maximum of 20 credit points may be granted for previous studies/recognition of prior learning.
During their course of study, students may also apply to engage in cross-institutional study towards the requirements of the course.
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, 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 students’ personal and community life.
Course Structure
Units in the course are offered at two levels: introductory units, categorised as 100-level, for which there are no pre-requisites; and advanced units, identified by 200-level unit codes, for which some studies at introductory level will normally be a prerequisite.
Students normally complete three practicum units within the required sixteen units. Contact hours remain the same but each practicum unit involves a further seven hours a week of practicum placement hours and written reflection.
Fields of Study
The Diploma of Biblical Studies consists of two fields:
1. Field A – Biblical Studies; and
2. Field B – Theology.
It includes five core units, four from Field A and one from Field B. The three remaining units are elective units and are to be taken from Field A but may include one unit from Field B.
The core units are as follows (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
|
Core Units: |
The elective units may be chosen from the list below (unit codes in brackets represent pre-requisite units). A maximum of one unit may be chosen from Field B.
|
Elective Units: |
