Bachelor of Theology

Course Description: 

The Bachelor of Theology is an undergraduate degree that gives students a breadth of knowledge in the main theological disciplines, and requires them to undertake specialised study through the completion of two majors.

Students complete core studies in Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Church History, and can choose further studies from a range of disciplines including Philosophy, Biblical Languages, Ethics, Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. Students can also complete units of Supervised Theological Field Education and Clinical Pastoral Education towards their degree.

Entry Requirements: 

The Bachelor of Theology is open to persons who have completed Year 12, the International Baccalaureate, or an overseas equivalent. Probationary entry is available to mature age students (21 years or over) without a Year 12 qualification. Students must meet any English language requirements set by the Melbourne College of Divinity.

Course Pathways: 

Students may exit the BTheol early with a Diploma in Theology (8 standard units) or an Advanced Diploma in Theology (16 standard units).

BTheol graduates may progress to the Bachelor of Theology (Honours) year, a specialised Graduate Diploma in Theology, or the Master of Theological Studies.

Graduate Outcomes: 

A graduate of the MCD BTheol degree is able to:

  • provide appropriate evidence of having acquired a systematic and coherent body of knowledge in at least one major theological discipline, its underlying principles and concepts;
  • communicate key ideas and apply problem-solving techniques appropriate to the major discipline(s) studied;
  • demonstrate the skills and attitudes necessary to undertake research in areas relevant to the major disciplines studied, and to comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources;
  • review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learnt, including in a professional context appropriate to the major discipline(s) studied;
  • give evidence of having developed a foundation for self-directed and life-long learning; and
  • apply interpersonal and cooperative skills appropriate to employment and/or further study or collaborative learning.
Course Volume: 

The degree may be taken over three years of fulltime study, or up to nine years of parttime study.

Modes of Study: 

The BTheol is taught primarily in face-to-face classes. From 2012, a small number of BTheol units are available online, however it is not yet possible for a student to complete a BTheol at MCD entirely online.

Course Structure: 

The MCD BTheol is made up of 360 points of study (24 standard units), including:

Three sub-major sequences (30 points at level 1 + 30 points at level 2):

  • Biblical Studies (including minor sequences in each Testament);
  • Systematic Theology
  • One discipline in Theology: Mission and Ministry (Field D) or one discipline in Humanities (Field A)

Two of the sub-major sequences must articulate to major sequences (a major is a submajor with a further 30 points at level 3)

Two minor sequences (30 points in one discipline)

  • Church History and
  • Any one discipline

A further 60 points from one or more disciplines.

At least 60 points must be included from Theology: Mission and Ministry (Field D).

Core Units

At the United Faculty of Theology, students are offered a common core of 10 units in Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology to meet their submajor requirements. They have a choice between undertaking studies in Philosophy (Field A) or Biblical Languages (Field A) or Mission and Ministry (Field D) to make up their third submajor. A selection of elective units is provided at level 3 to enable students to convert these submajors into majors. Students may replace the core units with equivalent units from other Recognised Teaching Institutions of the MCD.

Biblical Studies submajor
BV100 (or OBV100) Introduction to the Old Testament
BN100 (or OBN100) Introducing the Gospels: Mark
BV280 The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in Christian Tradition
BN231 Pauline Studies

Systematic Theology submajor (choose four of the following)
CT101 (or OCT101) Groundwork in Theology
CH/CT179 Introduction to Theological Studies
CH/CT289 Theological Issues of the Early Church
CT220 Christology
CT240 Ministry and Sacraments

Church History minor (choose two of the following)
CH115 (or OCH115) Memory, History and the Historians
CH/CT179 Introduction to Theological Studies
CH/CT289 Theological Issues of the Early Church
CH275 Reformation

Timetable and Available Units: 
http://www.uft.edu.au/timetable_btheol
MCD Links: 

Official information and regulations for all courses are found on the MCD website. Course information on the UFT website is for guidance only.

BTheol Introduction
BTheol Course Information
BTheol Regulation (PDF)
Attachments: 
application/pdf iconBTheol information and course planner

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.