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Ministry courses

Ministry

GRADUATE DIPLOMA

(Exit point only)

Designed for qualified ministers, pastoral workers, chaplains and church leaders, the Master of Ministry from Charles Sturt University develops your pastoral and ministry skills, and provides valuable opportunities for professional development.  You’ll develop a higher order of critical, creative, scholarly and informed investigation of the profession.

What does “Exit point only” mean?

It means that this course forms part of another course, in this case the Master of Ministry.  You will first need to enrol in the Master of Ministry.  After completing the  foundational subjects, you will be eligible to exit the Master early, earning a Graduate Diploma in Ministry.

Award name:

Graduate Diploma of Ministry

Study Level:

Post Graduate

AQF Level:

Level 8

Credit Points:

64

Duration:

1 year

Charles Sturt Faculty:

Faculty of Arts & Education

Charles Sturt School

School of Theology

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
GRADUATE DIPLOMA
MASTER OF MINISTRY

Career Opportunities

Whether you work in chaplaincy, ministry, church leadership or pastoral and aged care (or you aspire to do so) Charles Sturt University’s Master of Ministry will equip you with the professional knowledge and skills to succeed.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

  • Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in Theology from a recognised Australian university or equivalent

OR

  • The Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies with a Credit average or higher

AND

  • A minimum of two years (or equivalent) full-time professional experience in ministry

OR

  • A Charles Sturt University Graduate Certificate in Ministry or equivalent with a Credit average or higher.

CREDIT TRANSFER

Transfer Credit (16 points) towards electives may be granted for the completion of: an Advanced Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (MIN41C); or the Graduate Certificate in Supervision (MIN42C) 

CORE SUBJECTS (24 Credit Points)

  • MIN400 – Reflective Practice in Contemporary Ministry (8 cp)
  • MIN401 – Guided Research in Ministry – 16 credit pts

RESTRICTIVE ELECTIVES (48 Credit Points)

Select 48points from the following:

  • MIN402 – Church Governance and Management (8 cp)
  • MIN403 – Christian Chaplaincy in Context (8 cp)
  • MIN405 – Applied Principles of Church Leadership (8 cp)
  • MIN406 – Group and Peer Supervision (8 cp)
  • MIN418 – Practical Studies in Liturgy and Worship (8 cp)
  • MIN419 – Contemporary Issues in Practical Theology (8 cp)
  • MIN438 – Contemporary Mission and Evangelism (8 cp)
  • MIN440 – Public Theology for Ministry (8 cp)
  • THL400 – Pastoral Counselling Skills (8 cp)
  • THL420 – Pastoral Counselling: Theory and Professional Issues (8 cp)
  • THL428 – Pastoral Counselling: Grief and Loss (8 cp)
  • THL430 – Pastoral Counselling: Crisis Intervention (8 cp)
  • THL432 – Pastoral Counselling: Relationship and Family (8 cp)
  • THL434 – Spiritual Direction in the Christian Tradition – 8 credit pts
  • THL435 – Applied Pastoral Theology (8 cp)
  • THL445 – Foundations for Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People (8 cp)
  • THL446 – Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People (8 cp)
  • THL451 – Theological and Ethical Issues for People in Later Life (8 cp)
  • MIN503 – Professional Supervision 1 (8 cp)
  • MIN525 – Professional Supervision 2 – 8 credit pts
  • MIN540 – Approaches to Enquiry in Ministry (16cp)
  • MIN541 – Reflective Practitioner Perspectives in Ministry (16cp)
  • THL521 – Theological Ethics for the Helping Professions (8 cp)

For more details about the individual components of this course see Charles Sturt University School of Theology Handbook.

PART-TIME

Year 1 - Session 1

MIN400 Reflective Practice in Contemporary Ministry

MIN401 Theory and Practice of Christian Formation for Ministry

Year 1 - Session 2
Restricted Electives (16 points)

Year 2 - Session 1
Restricted Electives (16 points)

Year 2 - Session 2
Additional ministry electives (16 points)

FULL-TIME

Year 1 - Session 1
MIN400 Reflective Practice in Contemporary Ministry

MIN401 Theory and Practice of Christian Formation for Ministry
Restricted Electives (16 points)

Year 1 - Session 2
Restricted Electives (16 points)

Additional Ministry Electives (16 points)

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

  1. Be able to demonstrate a broadening of their knowledge and skills in the professional practice of ministry
  2. Be able to demonstrate skills in critical analysis and theological reflection in the professional practice of ministry
  3. Be able to demonstrate a broadening of their understanding of social and contextual issues in the mission of the church in the world
  4. Be able to demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations
  5. Be able to understand the need for, and have begun the development of, networks of trust and cooperation among ministry professionals
Articulated Set
The Master, Graduate Diploma [Exit Point Only] and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses and credit is given in each higher level course for the subjects completed in the lower.

Need more info?

If you need more information, or have any questions about this course, please do not hesitate to ask us about this course today.

Enquire now

Apply today!

Start your application today by following the application process on the Charles Sturt University website.

Apply here
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