Developed to engage practitioners serving in complex and difficult places around the world, the Masters of Transformational Development allows students the space to wrestle with the key issues of community, development, human rights, economics, contextual theology and leadership.
You’ll interact with rigorous academia, theological reflection and the lived experiences of those serving the vulnerable and become better equipped to sustainably and appropriately live out your calling.
Drawing students from 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Aotearoa/NZ and the Pacific, the course was developed using the Open Seminary methodology and is the product of a rich collaboration between Eastern College Australia and Tearfund, with significant input from CBM Australia, Interserve and World Vision Australia.
Steve Bradbury was instrumental in the establishment of the Master of Transformational Development. He served 25 years as the National Director of TEAR Australia and was the inaugural Chair of Micah Global and Micah Challenge International. In 2009 he received the Australian Council For Overseas Aid’s annual award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Aid & Development Sector.
There are six units offered on a rotating 3-year cycle. In addition, students are required to maintain an on-line journal in which they record reflections relevant to issues of spiritual resilience for practitioners of integral mission in contexts of poverty and injustice. The last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development.
One-sixth of the course is research based using relevant methodologies for the area chosen.
Six units are offered on a 3-year cycle. Entry to the programme can be at any point in the cycle.
Students will complete 5 coursework units and the last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development. Guidance for a research topic is provided in the sixth unit the student undertakes.
Six units are offered on a 3-year cycle:
Entry to the programme can be at any point in the cycle.
In addition, students are required to participate in a journaling activity that will run throughout the entirety of the programme. The focus of this activity is spiritual resilience and longevity. While of considerable importance, the very nature of this activity determines that it will be a non-assessed component in the programme.
Students will complete 5 coursework units and the last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development. Guidance for a research topic is provided in the sixth unit the student undertakes.
In partnership with the Asian Graduate School of Theology (Alliance), Malaysia Care, Interserve International and the Uganda Christian University, intensives are offered in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Cairo and Kampala.
All applicants will be required to meet Eastern’s General Entry Requirements.
Normal Entry
To obtain entry under this category an applicant must meet Eastern College Australia’s General Entry Requirements plus:
hold a relevant undergraduate degree from a recognised University or institution under section 10 or Section 11 of the Tertiary Education Act 1993 (certified transcripts are to be provided);
have had appropriate experience or hold a position in the relevant field of study, as demonstrated by the submission of a CV detailing professional experience/position, and the submission of 250 word statement outlining reasons for the application with the application;
demonstrate suitability for the course in an interview with an Academic staff member (new student interview), including a response to the Readiness Assessment (see below for further details on this aspect of the application).
supply references from the applicant’s current supervisor/ employer/ senior colleague demonstrating employment in an area of transformational development (written on a Confidential Reference Form supplied by the college, endorsing the applicant).
Professional Entry
Professional entry is for applicants who do not hold a relevant undergraduate degree, but have at least five years professional experience in roles relevant to transformational development.
To obtain entry under this category an applicant must meet Eastern College Australia’s General Entry Requirements plus:
demonstrate a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in the area of specialisation. This may be evidenced by the submission of a CV detailing professional experience and the submission of a 250 word statement outlining the reason for application.
demonstrate suitability for the course in an interview with an Academic staff member (new student interview), including a response to the Readiness Assessment (see below for further details of this aspect of the application process).
supply references from a supervisor/ employer/ senior colleague in the area of specialisation for which the applicant is applying (written on a Confidential Reference Form supplied by the college, endorsing the applicant).
If the above conditions are satisfied the applicant may enrol in a single Masters level unit. If this unit is successfully completed at credit level (65) or above the applicant will be granted normal entry into the Master of Transformational Development. The unit completed is accepted into the student’s academic record.
After applying, applicants will be provided with a topic and are required to write a no more than a 2000 word response identifying biblical ideas and how these biblical ideas should shape a Christian response to the topic. The applicant’s capacity will be assessed with regard to the following:
Students will not be assessed on their theological or developmental emphasis as there are many positions for both of these.
The applicant will have two weeks to complete and submit the Readiness Assessment and this will be followed by a New Student Interview with a Course Advisor. The Readiness Assessment will form part of the basis of the interview.
Applicants must meet the English language requirements.
Eastern College Australia values the history, culture and languages of First Nations people and we welcome their participation in all of our courses.
There are no pathways into the Master of Transformational Development other than the entry requirements.
For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page.
Scholarship support is essential for most nationals working in development in Asia, Africa and the Middle East who wish to study in the MTD. They simply don’t have the financial resources to cover both the course fees and the additional costs associated with the residential week-long intensives. This is also true of many “Western” expats supported to work in those locations by their friends and church.
Eastern College Australia has responded to this situation by offering full or part scholarships.
Criteria for a scholarship
The provision of a full or partial scholarship to cover the cost of fees is determined according to:
Note: The cost of attending the residential intensives (travel and accommodation) is borne by the students and not covered by MTD scholarships.
As the College’s insurance does cover students attending the MTD intensives the details can be found at the College’s travel insurance page.
For a comprehensive list of all units attached to this course see below.
Step out in faith and submit your application today! We’re exited to begin this next season in your life together.
Semester 1 applications close 3rd February
Developed to engage practitioners serving in complex and difficult places around the world, the Masters of Transformational Development allows students the space to wrestle with the key issues of community, development, human rights, economics, contextual theology and leadership.
You’ll interact with rigorous academia, theological reflection and the lived experiences of those serving the vulnerable and become better equipped to sustainably and appropriately live out your calling.
Drawing students from 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Aotearoa/NZ and the Pacific, the course was developed using the Open Seminary methodology and is the product of a rich collaboration between Eastern College Australia and Tearfund, with significant input from CBM Australia, Interserve and World Vision Australia.
Steve Bradbury was instrumental in the establishment of the Master of Transformational Development. He served 25 years as the National Director of TEAR Australia and was the inaugural Chair of Micah Global and Micah Challenge International. In 2009 he received the Australian Council For Overseas Aid’s annual award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Aid & Development Sector.
There are six units offered on a rotating 3-year cycle. In addition, students are required to maintain an on-line journal in which they record reflections relevant to issues of spiritual resilience for practitioners of integral mission in contexts of poverty and injustice. The last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development.
One-sixth of the course is research based using relevant methodologies for the area chosen.
Six units are offered on a 3-year cycle. Entry to the programme can be at any point in the cycle.
Students will complete 5 coursework units and the last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development. Guidance for a research topic is provided in the sixth unit the student undertakes.
Six units are offered on a 3-year cycle:
Entry to the programme can be at any point in the cycle.
In addition, students are required to participate in a journaling activity that will run throughout the entirety of the programme. The focus of this activity is spiritual resilience and longevity. While of considerable importance, the very nature of this activity determines that it will be a non-assessed component in the programme.
Students will complete 5 coursework units and the last unit students will complete is a Research Paper in Transformational Development. Guidance for a research topic is provided in the sixth unit the student undertakes.
In partnership with the Asian Graduate School of Theology (Alliance), Malaysia Care, Interserve International and the Uganda Christian University, intensives are offered in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Cairo and Kampala.
All applicants will be required to meet Eastern’s General Entry Requirements.
Normal Entry
To obtain entry under this category an applicant must meet Eastern College Australia’s General Entry Requirements plus:
hold a relevant undergraduate degree from a recognised University or institution under section 10 or Section 11 of the Tertiary Education Act 1993 (certified transcripts are to be provided);
have had appropriate experience or hold a position in the relevant field of study, as demonstrated by the submission of a CV detailing professional experience/position, and the submission of 250 word statement outlining reasons for the application with the application;
demonstrate suitability for the course in an interview with an Academic staff member (new student interview), including a response to the Readiness Assessment (see below for further details on this aspect of the application).
supply references from the applicant’s current supervisor/ employer/ senior colleague demonstrating employment in an area of transformational development (written on a Confidential Reference Form supplied by the college, endorsing the applicant).
Professional Entry
Professional entry is for applicants who do not hold a relevant undergraduate degree, but have at least five years professional experience in roles relevant to transformational development.
To obtain entry under this category an applicant must meet Eastern College Australia’s General Entry Requirements plus:
demonstrate a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in the area of specialisation. This may be evidenced by the submission of a CV detailing professional experience and the submission of a 250 word statement outlining the reason for application.
demonstrate suitability for the course in an interview with an Academic staff member (new student interview), including a response to the Readiness Assessment (see below for further details of this aspect of the application process).
supply references from a supervisor/ employer/ senior colleague in the area of specialisation for which the applicant is applying (written on a Confidential Reference Form supplied by the college, endorsing the applicant).
If the above conditions are satisfied the applicant may enrol in a single Masters level unit. If this unit is successfully completed at credit level (65) or above the applicant will be granted normal entry into the Master of Transformational Development. The unit completed is accepted into the student’s academic record.
After applying, applicants will be provided with a topic and are required to write a no more than a 2000 word response identifying biblical ideas and how these biblical ideas should shape a Christian response to the topic. The applicant’s capacity will be assessed with regard to the following:
Students will not be assessed on their theological or developmental emphasis as there are many positions for both of these.
The applicant will have two weeks to complete and submit the Readiness Assessment and this will be followed by a New Student Interview with a Course Advisor. The Readiness Assessment will form part of the basis of the interview.
Applicants must meet the English language requirements.
Eastern College Australia values the history, culture and languages of First Nations people and we welcome their participation in all of our courses.
There are no pathways into the Master of Transformational Development other than the entry requirements.
For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page.
Scholarship support is essential for most nationals working in development in Asia, Africa and the Middle East who wish to study in the MTD. They simply don’t have the financial resources to cover both the course fees and the additional costs associated with the residential week-long intensives. This is also true of many “Western” expats supported to work in those locations by their friends and church.
Eastern College Australia has responded to this situation by offering full or part scholarships.
Criteria for a scholarship
The provision of a full or partial scholarship to cover the cost of fees is determined according to:
Note: The cost of attending the residential intensives (travel and accommodation) is borne by the students and not covered by MTD scholarships.
As the College’s insurance does cover students attending the MTD intensives the details can be found at the College’s travel insurance page.
For a comprehensive list of all units attached to this course see below.
Step out in faith and submit your application today! We’re exited to begin this next season in your life together.
Semester 1 applications close 3rd February
You can apply directly to the College via our online application form Below.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of God’s land on which Eastern College Australia stands, and pay our respects to their elders past and present, and our support for the emerging leaders of the future.
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