This course is currently on teach-out. No new students are being accepted into this course. This information is for existing students only.
1. About Bachelor of Theology
Description
The Bachelor of Theology has been designed to offer a strong core of subjects along with flexibility and diversity in specialist areas. Students are able to choose and commence their area or areas of specialisation whilst they are completing their core subjects. Students may elect to complete a major in either Mission Studies or Ministry or they may choose to complete two minors from the Bachelor of Theology offerings which include Ministry, Mission Studies, Biblical Studies and Theology. There is also the option of completing one minor from the Bachelor of Theology and one minor from Eastern College Australia’s Bachelor of Arts which would include choices in Community Development, Youth Studies, Counselling, Leadership and Philosophy and Religion Studies. Electives allow the student to further broaden or expand their areas of study according to interest and desired vocation. Students elect to study a Bachelor of Theology for a variety of reasons. Traditionally it was to be trained as a Christian Minister but more recently theology is also being studied by those seeking better to understand their Christian faith or to equip themselves for a vocation in parachurch organisations, mission and workplace settings or to prepare for future academic study. The Bachelor of Theology is a pathway into postgraduate study at masters or honours level. The course is designed to allow a wide range of flexibility.
Course Outcomes
- Broad knowledge to study the primary texts of the Christian faith, and be able to describe a range of historical and contemporary reflections on those texts.
- Broad and coherent knowledge of the Christian tradition in one or more of its central and varied forms and how it relates to the vocation of the student.
- In-depth and coherent knowledge of aspects of theology and its sub-disciplines dependent on the major chosen.
- Critical awareness of key themes, debates and methods of the discipline of theology and its sub-disciplines.
- Ability to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise the ideas and arguments of others.
- Technical and cognitive skills to articulate a broad understanding of the implications of Christian belief for living, with depth in the major chosen.
- Cognitive, creative and communication skills to independently analyse and present theological knowledge, ideas and arguments.
- Apply knowledge and skills in exercising initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making to professionally present theological perspectives or skills regarding life and/or scholarship autonomously and through team collaboration.
- Apply knowledge and skills in a range of study skills that will support a professional life of continued theological learning.
Delivery locations
- Online (Full)
- Wantirna (Full)
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Theology degree is composed of 24 subjects of 6 credit points each completed over 3 years full-time equivalent (144 credit points in total). Students undertaking this degree are required to complete:
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|
| Core (72 credit points) | Core (72 credit points) |
| Major (48 credit points) | Minor from BTh (24 credit points) |
| Minor from BA or BTh (24 credit points) | |
| Elective from BTh (6 credit points) | Elective from BTh (6 credit points) |
| Biblical Studies Elective at 600 level (6 credit points) | Biblical Studies Elective at 600 level (6 credit points) |
| Electives from any Bachelor degree offered by the College (12 credit points) | Electives from any Bachelor degree offered by the College (12 credit points) |
- Subjects are taken in the following level order: “500” (Introductory Level) then “600” (Intermediate Level) then “700” (Advanced Level)
- In their course, students must not include more than 60 credit points in “500” (Introductory Level) subjects and must include at least 36 credit points in “700”.(Advanced Level ) subjects.
- Students must not include more than 30 credit points in Practicum (PR) subjects in the Bachelor degree.
- Students may not import more than 96 credit points from other institutions.
2. Essential requirements for admission
English Language Requirement
An applicant for studies in this course will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if:
- They were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification (secondary or tertiary) in one of those countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English
- American Samoa; Australia; Botswana; Canada; Fiji; Ghana; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom; USA; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
- They were not born in one of the following countries but have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time university study in one of these countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English:
- American Samoa; Australia; Botswana; Canada; Fiji; Ghana; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom; USA; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
- They have successfully completed a senior secondary qualification, a post secondary Diploma qualification of at least two years, an undergraduate program of three years or more, or a postgraduate program of two years or more FT or more, undertaken in a non-English speaking country provided the study:
- was completed in an institution which is listed in the International Handbook of Universities, World Higher Education Database, UK Naric Database or AEI NOOSR guides or an institution accredited through one of ICETE’s registered accrediting bodies and is confirmed by the institution as having been conducted and examined solely in the English language.
-
They have attained results as listed in one of the following qualifications:
Test Minimum Results IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) TOEFL (Paper based) 550+ Test of Writing English 4 TOEFL (Internet) 76+ Writing 18 Pearson Test of English (Academic) 57 No communicative score below 50 Cambridge English Advanced 54 No less than Borderline in writing
3. Admission Criteria
- Meet the General Entry Requirements for all courses at Eastern College Australia
- Satisfactory completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)* or equivalent: obtaining an ATAR score of 65 or
- Successful completion of the Diploma in Theology or
- Successful completion of the Associate Degree in Theology or
- Mature Age entry for those who have reached the age of 21
*Please note that VCAL is not considered equivalent to VCE for Higher Education admission.
A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)
B. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
C. Applicants with higher education study
D. Applicants with work and life experience
4. How to Apply
You can apply directly to the College via our online application form available at https://apply.eastern.edu.au
5. Advanced standing/academic credit/recognition of prior learning (RPL)
You may be entitled to credit for prior learning, whether formal or informal. Formal learning can include previous study in higher education, vocational education, or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience. Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.
For further information about credit and recognition of prior learning please see https://www.eastern.edu.au/admissions/information or call the College on 9790 9200 and speak to the Registrar
Specialisations
| Ministry | Major |
| Mission Studies | Major |
| Biblical Studies | Minor |
| Christian History | Minor |
| Ministry | Minor |
| Mission Studies | Minor |
| Missional Communities | Minor |
| Theological Studies | Minor |
| Christian Foundations Core | Core |
Units attached to this course
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| BB502.306 | Old Testament Introduction |
| BB503.306 | New Testament Introduction |
| BB524.306 | Introduction to the Bible |
| BB641.306 | Biblical Studies in Old Testament (English) |
| BB642.306 | Biblical Studies in Old Testament (English): The Writings |
| BB648.306 | Biblical Studies in Old Testament (English) |
| BB64X.306 | Biblical Studies in Old Testament (English) |
| BB652.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB654.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB655.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English): Topic Study |
| BB656.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English): 2 Corinthians |
| BB65X.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB65X.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB672.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB674.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB676.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek): 2 Corinthians |
| BB67X.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB680.306 | Introduction to Biblical Languages |
| BB685.306 | New Testament Greek 1 |
| BB686.306 | New Testament Greek 2 |
| BB691.306 | Issues in Biblical Studies |
| BB752.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB754.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB756.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English): 2 Corinthians |
| BB75X.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (English) |
| BB772.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB774.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB776.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek): 2 Corinthians |
| BB77X.306 | Biblical Studies in New Testament (Greek) |
| BB793.306 | Research Project in Biblical Studies |
| BB848.406 | Biblical Studies in Old Testament (English) |
| HS502.306 | Introduction to Christian History |
| HS631.306 | Reformation Church History |
| HS632.306 | History of the World Christian Movement |
| HS637.306 | Radicals, Reformers and Revolutionaries |
| HS705.306 | Early Church History |
| HS750.306 | Australian Church History |
| HS775.306 | Wesley and the Methodists |
| HS792.306 | Directed Study in History |
| LN533.306 | Literature, Philosophy and Civilisation |
| MN557.306 | Spiritual Development for Young Adults |
| MN621.306 | Leadership 1 |
| MN623.306 | Church Health and Development |
| MN624.306 | Developing Women Leaders |
| MN631.306 | Pastoral Care |
| MN632.306 | Children's Ministry |
| MN633.306 | Chaplaincy in Educational Settings |
| MN634.306 | Chaplaincy Skills |
| MN638.306 | Congregational Worship and Spirituality |
| MN646.306 | Youth Ministry |
| MN651.306 | Strategic Communication |
| MN661.306 | Building a Discipling Culture |
| MN662.306 | Multiplying Missional Leaders |
| MN663.306 | Leading Missional Communities |
| MN691.306 | Issues in Ministry |
| MN710.306 | Theology of Ministry |
| MN721.306 | Leadership 2 |
| MN756.306 | Integration of Vocation and Faith |
| MN764.306 | Leading Kingdom Movements |
| MN793.306 | Research Project in Ministry |
| MS611.306 | Cultural Anthropology |
| MS621.306 | Biblical Theology of Mission |
| MS633.306 | Issues of Poverty and Justice |
| MS637.306 | Intercultural Life, Work and Field Education |
| MS691.306 | Issues in Mission Studies |
| MS730.306 | Pauline Theology and Mission Practice |
| MS735.306 | Cross-cultural Communication and Contextualisation |
| MS743.306 | World Religions |
| MS793.306 | Research Project in Mission Studies |
| PH641.306 | Encounters between Philosophy and Theology |
| PR560.306 | Internship 1 |
| PR570.306 | Cross-Cultural Experience |
| PR660.306 | Internship 2 |
| PR673.312 | Praxis and Internship 1 |
| PR752.306 | Ministry Field Education 1 |
| PR753.306 | Ministry Field Education 2 |
| PR770.306 | Cross-Cultural Field Education |
| PR774.312 | Praxis and Internship 2 |
| PR775.306 | Field Education Among the Poor |
| TH507.306 | Foundations for Faith |
| TH570.306 | Living in Christ |
| TH604.306 | Faith, Reason and Justice |
| TH621.306 | Christology |
| TH622.306 | Life and Ministry in the Spirit |
| TH652.306 | Theology of the Trinity |
| TH671.306 | Theology of Everyday Life |
| TH691.306 | Issues in Theological Studies |
| TH720.306 | Church, Mission and Ministry |
| TH725.306 | Kingdom of God |
| TH726.306 | Studies in a Theological Tradition |
| TH774.306 | Theology, Mission and Care of Creation |
| TH793.306 | Research Project in Theological Studies |