AQF Level: 8
Please note: From 2024, students in the third or fourth year of the BD will complete their studies and be awarded the BD. Students who are commencing a four-year study program from 2023 on will enrol in the BTh/ThM. See 3.1.3 Bachelor of Theology/Master of Theology (Coursework)(BTh/ThM) for more information.
The Bachelor of Divinity is a four-year degree designed for men and women who desire a biblical and theological foundation for long term full-time Christian ministry. The BD, with its emphases on academic depth and intellectual rigour in the study of Christian theology, has been the central academic award of the College.
The focus of study at the College is the knowledge of God as revealed in the Bible. Such a study, by the very nature of its object and its sources, is demanding and rigorous in the areas of Biblical Studies (Old and New Testament and Biblical Theology) and Christian Thought (Church History, Systematic Theology and Ethics). Each of these disciplines has its own method, content and literature, but the focus on God’s revelation in Scripture is the integrating factor. The inseparability of academic study and its application in Christian ministry is a reflection of the Bible generally and the New Testament in particular. Most of the New Testament arises out of a pastoral context. Accordingly, no study of the Bible, or theology deriving from it, is complete without a pastoral dimension. Hence the development of appropriate attitudes and pastoral theology is part of each year of study.
Students enrol in the BD or the BTh during their first two years, and in Year 3 they either complete the BTh or continue on in the BD. With the exception of alternatives to Hebrew, there are no elective BD or BTh units in years 1 to 3. In Year 4 of the BD course, students are required to enrol in four core units. They then choose either CT499 Project or CT400 Issues in Theology and two electives.
Bachelor of Divinity degree (pass or honours) is awarded to those who successfully complete the prescribed four-year program of study. The standard is that of a four-year degree with honours at an Australian university.
Attendance Type
The first-year stage (Year 1) of the BD may be taken full-time or part-time over two, three or four years. Years 2, 3 & 4 are normally only taken full-time. See §4.3 for more information regarding the maximum number of years allowed to study the BD.
Early Exit Points
Three early exit points (courses) are available in the BD. The Advanced Diploma of Theological Studies (AdvDipTheol; CRICOS code: 111612D) may be awarded after successful completion of the first year of the degree program. The Associate Degree of Theology (AssocDTh; CRICOS code: 111611E) may be awarded after successful completion of both the first and second years of the degree program. The Bachelor of Theology (BTh; CRICOS code: 041656J) may be awarded after the successful completion of three years of study.
BD Course Structure 2023 – Years 3 & 4
Year | Biblical Studies | Christian Thought | Christian Ministry |
3 | BS300 Hebrew 3 2 | CT300 Doctrine 3 | CM335 Intentional Ministry Reflection B 2 |
BS311 Old Testament 3 (E) OR BS312 Old Testament 3 (H) | CT311 Theological Responses to Philosophy | CM302 Ministry & Mission 3 | |
BS321 New Testament 3 | CT330 Christian Ethics | ||
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4 | Year 4 students are required to take the four core units and either of two pathways as specified below. | ||
Core | BS400 Daniel (Hebrew and Aramaic) 33 OR BS412 OT 4 (Heb) 3 OR BS421 New Testament 4 3 | CT420 Church History 4 | CM402 Ministry & Mission 4 |
CTXXX (one unit chosen from the CT electives listed below) | |||
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Year 4 students choose one of two pathways: | |||
EITHER OR | CT499 Project4 CT400 Issues in Theology plus two electives from any field | ||
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Electives | BS405 ATBGE | CT403 Atonement | CM405 Advanced Pastoral Ministry5 |
BS422 NT Christology | CT413 Knowing the Only True God | CM412 Anglican Identity & Liturgy | |
BS411 OT 4 (Eng) | CT431 Hermeneutics | ||
Note: Not all Year 4 electives are offered each year. Electives with a small number of enrolments may not be offered. | |||
Notes:
2BS300 is a co-requisite of BS312. Year 3 students can take BS300 or CM335.
3Whichever of BS412, BS400 or BS421 is not taken as a core unit can be counted as an elective.
4The BD average must be, at minimum, 72.5% over the first three years of study to qualify for CT499 Project.
5Cannot be studied if CM105 was already completed.