Diploma of Practical Ministries
Course Overview / Course Structure
| Course Name | Diploma of Practical Ministry |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Type | Full-time or part-time |
| Mode | On-campus or by distance education |
| Duration | 2 years (full-time equivalent) |
| Credit Points | 160 |
| Starting Semesters | 1 & 2 |
| Course Code | MS05 |
| CRICOS Code | 056899M |
| 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
This 2 year course provides a sound doctrinal framework as well as develop a variety of practical ministry skills. It is to better equip people for service in their local church and wider community.
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
160 credit points is required for the Diploma of Practical Ministry. 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. Full-time 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. This application is to be made at the time of entry to the course. A maximum transfer of credit for practicum units will be 20 credit points.
The maximum recommended time for course completion 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, on-campus students’ involvement is required in worship and devotional meetings, ministry seminars, outreach and mission programs and workshops for the ongoing enrichment and development of 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.
The course is divided into three fields:
1. Field A: Biblical Studies (30 credit points);
2. Field B: Theology and Church History (30 credit points);
3. Field C: Ministry and Mission (80 credit points); and
4. Two Electives (20 credit points).
Field A: Biblical Studies (30 credit points)
The units in Field A provide an introduction to Biblical Studies, including an overview of both Old and New Testaments, and principles of Biblical interpretation. The field undergirds both Theology, and Ministry and Mission by providing a biblical framework, and contributes significantly to the personal formation dimension of the program by engaging the student in the study of God's Word, of people's response to God, and of their relationship with God and with each other. The units available are as follows (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
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Biblical Studies Units (30 credit points) |
Field B: Theology and Church History (30 credit points)
The core units in Field B draw upon Biblical Studies to provide a theological and ethical framework for reflecting on God and His working in human history. Students are introduced to major theological and ethical concepts, and to alternative views and approaches in theological and ethical study, including both Biblical and systematic theology. An introduction to church history extends students’ theological understanding by providing an historical perspective on theological issues.
This field introduces the student to the basic doctrines of Christ, humanity, sin and salvation. It provides an overview of revival movements and an opportunity for comparative studies of Christian and non-Christian perspectives through units dealing with issues such as ethics and worldview.
Theology and church history units develop theological and ethical foundations of Christian ministry and mission, and also contribute to personal formation by involving the student in reflection upon the revelation of God’s grace, and upon God’s purposes for the individual and for the church. The units available are as follows (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
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Theological and Church History Units(30 credit points) |
Field C: Ministry and Mission (80 credit points)
The Ministry and Mission field develops a range of practical ministry skills. It deals with ministry both within the church and to the wider community, as well as with personal and spiritual development. Special emphasis is given to people and ministry skills, and ministry principles. These are broad developmental skills, which equip people for the work of ministry and form a basis for further development and future specialisation in ministry.
The field establishes the focus of ministry on people and their needs. It provides extensive practical opportunities to develop ministry skills in a range of different settings. Such practical work offers students the opportunity to test their calling, and to identify their gifts.
Field C is the primary context of the ministry formation dimension of the course. Field C also provides a significant context for personal formation, as outlined previously. In particular, this field provides students with the opportunity to develop their relationship with God and mature Christian attitudes in the context of growing experience in the challenges of ministry. The units available are as follows (prerequisite requirements are given in brackets):
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Ministry and Mission Units |
Practicum Units
The Diploma of Practical Ministry is directed toward the practice of ministry. Practicum units provide this practice as well as a means of integrating coursework learning and ministry through an action-reflection model of praxis. Practicum units provide supervised ministry experience as the context for learning. They combine essential elements of ministry formation with the reflection required for theological formation in the educational context of guided self-directed learning integral to personal formation.
