Research Degrees

The Sydney College of Divinity offers a variety of Research Degrees, including MA Honours, MTh Honours, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy.

• Bachelor Of Theology (Honours)
• Master Of Theology
• Master Of Theology (Honours)
• Master Of Arts (Honours)

Bachelor of Theology (Honours)

Overview

Students who successfully completed a three-year Bachelor of Theology may be eligible to undertake Bachelor of Theology (Hons). The award is the equivalent of one-year full-time study consisting of course work and a significant supervised research component. The maximum period of candidature shall be three years. The research component shall be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Board of Studies of the BBI and overseen by the same body.

Admission Requirements

• Successful completion of the SCD Bachelor of Theology with a major in the subject area of specialisation or equivalent.
• Candidates normally must have completed their BTh within the last five years with a grade point average of 2.7 overall and 3.0 in the area of specialisaton.

Program Structure

• At least 72 credit points; one year full-time or part-time equivalent.
• 45 credit points: 15,000 to 20,000 word thesis in the subject area of specialisation.
• 18 credit points (two course units) in the subject area of specialisation at M400 or 500 level.
• 9 credit points (one course unit) in methodology or on contemporary issues in the subject area of specialisation at M400 or 500 level.
• Participation in an honours seminar.

Specific Requirements

As required by the subject area of specialisation.

Master of Theology

Overview

The Master of Theology is a post-graduate degree which consists of eight course units, two of which may be in a form of a long (10,000 words) essay. Specialisation is offered in the areas of Biblical Studies, Christian Spirituality and Theology.

Admission Requirements

Requirement for entry is Bachelor of Theology or equivalent.

Program Structure

• At least 72 credit points (8 course units); 18 months full-time, up to three years part-time.
• Either with specialisation or without specialisation.
• With specialisation: at least 36 credit points (4 course units) and not more than 54 credit points (6 course units) in a subject area of specialisation.
• Students, who have not completed at least a BTh sub-major in the subject area of specialisation, require the permission of the subject area coordinator before enrolling in a 400 or 500 level course unit.
• 18 credit points (2 course units) may be a Long Essay (10,000-12,000 words).
• 9 credit points (1 course unit) may be an interdisciplinary seminar.
• Up to 18 credit points (2 course units) at 300 level may be included.
• The Long Essay option is a requirement for entry into the MTh(Hons) program.

Master of Theology (Honours)

Overview

The Master of Theology (Hons) is a research degree which provides candidates with the opportunity to pursue advanced study in theological disciplines. It is designed for those who seek to further their study of Theology for academic, vocational, professional and/or personal reasons. This award also offers training for further research at doctoral level.

Admission Requirements

A four-year BTh (Hons) with results at Second Class (Division 1) or better, or Master of Theology (including the Research Essay option) with results mainly at credit level, or Master of Divinity with results mainly at credit level, or their recognised equivalent.

Program Structure

• Maximum period of candidature is three years.
• Thesis of 50,000 words maximum, under the direction of a supervisor and compulsory attendance at the Thesis Writers’ Workshop and Research Seminars.
• Some theses will require competence in ancient and/or modern foreign languages.
• For applications and enrolment, contact the Sydney College of Divinity.

Master of Arts (Honours)

Overview

The Master of Arts (Hons) is a research degree which provides candidates with the opportunity to pursue advanced study in a theologically related discipline. It is designed for those who seek to further their study for academic, vocational, professional and/or personal reasons. This award also offers training for further research at doctoral level.

Admission Requirements

Either SCD Master of Arts (including the Research Essay option) with results at credit level and a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a discipline other than Theology or their recognised equivalents.

Program Structure

• One year full-time or part-time equivalent.
• Thesis of at least 50,000 words.
• Attendance at Thesis Workshop and Research Seminars.
• Enrolment: directly through the SCD Office.

Doctoral Programs

The Sydney College of Divinity offers facilities for the completion of the following doctoral degrees by research:

• Doctor of Theology
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Ministry (coursework and research)

Doctor of Theology

Overview

The Doctor of Theology is a higher award by research. The award aims to provide opportunity for research in Theology at the highest academic level and thereby to enable candidates, through a period of systematic theological reflection, to make a distinct contribution to knowledge, either by the discovery of new facts, or the exercise of independent critical power.

Admission Requirements

Either Bachelor of Theology (Hons) or Master of Theology (Hons) or recognised equivalent.

Program Requirements

• The minimum time for completion shall normally be three years full-time or part-time equivalent; the maximum for all candidates shall normally be eight years.
• A thesis of 80,000 - 100,000 words.
• The research shall be conducted under the guidance of supervisors appointed by BBI and overseen by the SCD Research Degree committee.
• The Doctor of Theology program will not ordinarily involve course work, although participation in research seminars and the Thesis Writers’ Workshop is compulsory.
• Enrolment at the SCD Office.

Doctor of Philosophy

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy is a higher award by research.  The award aims to provide opportunity for specialised research at the highest academic level and thereby to enable candidates, through a period of systematic research and reflection, to make a distinct contribution to knowledge, either by the discovery of new facts, or the exercise of independent critical power. 

The minimum time for completion shall normally be three years full time or part-time equivalent; the maximum for all candidates shall normally be eight years.  The research shall be conducted under the guidance of supervisors appointed by SCD and overseen by the SCD Research Degree committee.  The Doctor of Philosophy program will not ordinarily involve course work, although participation in graduate seminars is compulsory

Admission Requirements

Either SCD Master of Arts (including the long essay option) with results at credit level and a Bachelor (Honours 1 or 2) degree in a discipline other than theology or SCD Master of Arts (Honours) or their recognised equivalents.

Program Requirements

• At least three years full-time or part-time equivalent.
• Thesis of 80,000 to 100,000 words.
• Enrolment: at the SCD Office.

Doctor of Ministry

Overview

The Doctor of Ministry is a higher award by research and coursework. The award aims to provide the opportunity for professional development in ministry at the highest academic level and thereby to enable candidates, through a period of systematic reflection on the practice of ministry, to make a distinct contribution to the profession of ministry, by a creative and academically informed investigation of some aspect of that profession.

Admission Requirements

Master of Theology, Master of Divinity or equivalent. Students must demonstrate capacity for research, and have at least four years experience in ministry. Final acceptance to the doctoral program is conditional upon the successful presentation of the thesis to the doctoral assessment panel.

Program Requirements

• Period of Candidature at least three years full-time or part-time equivalent.
• Comprising 50% course work and 50% research.
• The program is comprised of:
  • Three core course units in intensive mode;
  • One elective course unit;
  • Dissertation of 60,000 words.
• Candidates are required to attend the graduate seminars along with other research candidates.
• Enrolment at the SCD office.