Which Degree is Right for Me?

Whitley College offers a very wide range of degrees, diplomas and single subjects you might choose to study. Almost all of these pathways connect: you can begin in one area and articulate your studies towards another.

In this handbook, all the undergraduate degree and diploma programs and subjects are explained in detail. Here we offer a simple outline of each degree or diploma, indicating the basic character of each of these, and the purposes for which they might be most suitable.

Undergraduate Programs

For these, a pass in the VCE is required, unless special permission is granted for ‘provisional’ entry.

Bachelor of Theology

• This three-year full-time degree is perhaps the ‘staple’ of our offerings. It requires 360 points (24 semester units of 15 points each), taking a minimum of three years. A semester unit is usually 3 hrs a week for 12 weeks, or the equivalent over an intensive period of two or three weeks.
• The Bachelor of Theology offers a broad and strong degree in theology, with requirements in all the crucial areas: Bible, History, Theology and Practical Theology. From 2009, the BTheol takes on additional requirements to the old degree. Students who enrolled before 2009 may continue under the old structure.
• The degree now requires at least two Major sequences and one Sub-Major, including at least a Sub-Major in Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Field D (Mission and Ministry), and a Minor sequence in Church History.
• A Major requires progressive study, from first level through to third levels. (There are detailed explanations of these requirements in this book.)
• This balanced approach means that graduates have both a breadth in understanding and a strong focus in an area of their choosing.
• Graduates of another discipline may take the BTheol and receive some credit for their previous study, thus reducing the total requirements.

Bachelor of Theology (Honours)

• Students doing well in the BTheol can apply after the half-way mark of their course to enrol in the honours stream. BTheol (Hons) takes an extra year, requiring an extra 60 points (4 semester units) and a 12,000 word honours thesis. Normally, Honours work is done in one discipline, such as New Testament, Systematic Theology, Missiology, etc. The level of Honours awarded is determined by the Coursework Studies Committee on the basis of the overall results in the research essay and the honours units. A student who does not obtain at least 70% may be awarded the Pass degree. Students interested in the possibility of Honours should discuss this with the Coursework Studies Co-ordinator, Dr Keith Dyer.

 Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Theology

• A combined Arts/Theology course is available in association with Monash University. Students must apply separately to Monash University and satisfy their entry requirements.
• Note: It is possible for students to undertake a Bachelor of Theology part-time, while taking another university degree. Whitley College faculty can assist you in planning your pathway here. In some instances, it is possible to transfer in some credit from another degree program, before its completion.

Diploma Programs

Associate Diploma in Ministry

• This is a new course requiring students to complete eight subjects at diploma level. Two of these units need to be from Field B (Biblical Studies) and two from Field C (Theology and Church History). This course will be run in conjunction with Baptist Union of Victoria Internships in 2009.
• Full details of the subjects to be offered are set out in this Handbook.

Diploma in Ministry

• This program requires 16 units, or 240 points. Most of the available units are drawn from the BTheol offerings. This represents two years of full-time study, or equivalent part time.
• A distinctive feature of the Diploma and the Advanced Diploma is that there is no requirement of Majors.
• The Diplomas require 8 core units: 4 in Biblical Studies, 2 in Church History and 2 in Systematic Theology. The remaining 8 units may (for example) be all in Practical Theology - and for many diploma students this is the area of their strongest interest.
• The Diploma in Ministry is ideal for students who wish to engage in some breadth of study, but do no wish to take units at an advanced level.

Advanced Diploma in Ministry

• The requirements and focus here are the same as the Diploma, except that it requires an additional year: 24 units, or 360 points.
• Again, the core units are required, but here the elective choices are 16 units.
• There is no requirement for Majors or Sub-Majors.

 Graduate Degrees

These programs are designed for graduates in another discipline, who wish to undertake some theological study. Just how much study and for what purposes, will influence which pathway is right for you. This material is provided for your information only.

Graduate Diploma in Theology

• The general GradDipTheol will introduce students to theology at a graduate level. It takes one year full-time or longer part-time. It consists of six semester units. Three of these units must be taken from a list of ‘Foundational units’: these provide basic introductions to areas in Biblical Studies, Church History, Theology, and several areas of Practical Theology.
• On the basis of these introductory units, students may choose up to three elective units, from a wide range of higher level units.
• It is possible to complete the GradDipTheol by taking only Foundational units. For some students, this is the wise thing to do or may fulfil their purpose of taking a short but challenging program of theological studies.
• The Graduate Diploma in Theology is designed to form the basis of a pathway leading to a Master of Arts. This pathway offers people who work in another area (such as education, law, public administration, policing, etc.) an opportunity to gain a basic introduction to theology and develop some advanced reflection, and interact with their Major area of professional practice.
• Graduates in theology can take a Specialised GradDipTheol in either Counselling, Ministry, Liturgy, Religious Education, Spirituality, Spiritual Direction, Philosophy, Moral Theology, Biblical Studies and Church History, or may propose another specialised sequence.

Master of Divinity

• The Master of Divinity degree is a graduate entry first degree in theology, similar to that offered  in the American system.
• The MDiv offers a high level of theological study with an emphasis on integrative study. The MDiv takes three years full-time or longer part-time, requiring 270 points (18 semester units of 15 points).
• Like the BTheol, the MDiv degree offers a broad and challenging engagement with theological studies, across the full range of disciplines. It includes biblical, historical, systematic and practical theological work.
• Unlike the BTheol, the MDiv does not focus in ‘Majors’, but rather in different forms of study: Foundational, Integrative and Specialised. 
• The MDiv requires 7 units in Foundational Studies, of which 2 must be in a biblical language; 4 units in Integrative Studies and 7 units in Specialised Studies.

Postgraduate Degrees

Details of all these degrees are available on the websites of Whitley College and the Melbourne College of Divinity.

The basic requirements for each degree are as follows:

Master of Theological Studies

The MTS is open to candidates holding the MCD BTheol, BD or MDiv degrees, or equivalent qualifications and requires the completion of 150 credit points (ten standard units): 120 points at graduate level, 30 at postgraduate level. Candidates may study full or part time, for between three and ten semesters.

Master of Arts (Theology) by coursework

To enter the Master of Arts, a student must complete the Graduate Diploma in Theology (as above) and either complete an essay of 12,000 words (at an acceptable standard) instead of two of the elective coursework units, or do this essay in addition to those units.
The Master of Arts is a twelve to eighteen month graduate degree, or equivalent  part-time. It requires either two postgraduate semester units and a 25,000 word thesis, or four postgraduate units and a 12,000 word essay.

Master of Arts (Theology) by research

A postgraduate research degree which can be taken either by major thesis (40,000 words) or by coursework (2 postgraduate units) and a 25,000 word thesis).
A qualifying essay of 12.000 words at Distinction standard or above is required for entry to this degree.

The MA (Research) may upgrade or articulate to an MCD doctoral program.

Master of Theology

A postgraduate research degree which can be taken either by major thesis (40,000 words) or by coursework (2 postgraduate units) and a 25,000 word thesis).
A Qualifying Essay may be required for entry to this degree.

Doctor of Theology

A research doctoral degree awarded by the MCD for a suitable research thesis of about 100,000 words.
Students need to have a recognised Masters degree in an appropriate theological discipline (at H2A level), or the equivalent, to qualify for entry to the doctoral programme.

Doctor of Philosophy

A research doctorate primarily intended for Masters graduates in disciplines other than theology, with sufficient foundation to engage with a theological discipline at a doctoral level. It consists of a thesis of up to 100,000 words.

 Advanced Ministry Studies

Master of Ministry

The MMin is a professional degree open to students with a recognised theology degree (or the equivalent) and at least three years of experience in Christian ministry.

It requires completion of five parts over at least three years:
    Part A Two residential schools of 40 hours each.
    Part B Two supervised collegium groups (10x4hrs each).
    Part C A third and final residential school (40 hrs).
    Part D Supervised research project (20-30,000 words)

Doctor of Ministry Studies

The DMinSt is a professional doctoral degree awarded for coursework and a research thesis on the practice of ministry. It is open to students with an MMin or TheolM and at least six years of Christian ministry.
It requires completion of three parts over at least four years:

Part A -     Two approved postgraduate units (MMin graduates)

or                                      

                 two 40 hour collegium  groups (TheolM graduates).
Part B –     Three approved units and a 40 hour residential seminar.
Part C -     A research project resulting in either a 50,000 word thesis or approved publication of papers, or approved publication of a book.