Study Options at St Cyril’s:
At St Cyril’s we recognise that students often come not only from different walks of life, but also from different stages of life, in their search for quality theological education. As such, we offer a broad range of degree programs fully accredited by the Sydney College of Divinity, which cater to all academic levels, from an undergraduate Diploma to a postgraduate Masters degree, and all the way through to Higher Degree Research such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Any of the units within our degrees may also be undertaken by Audit students who are defined as those who wish to enrol in a unit without pursuing academic credit, for the purpose of education without assessment and credit.
Please browse below to find a degree that suits you. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to email our registrar.
Diploma of Christian Studies
The Diploma of Christian Studies is an 8 unit (i.e. 1 year) undergraduate award that introduces students to Orthodox Christian studies within higher education. It is designed for Year 12 graduates (no ATAR requirement), and provides an potential entry-point into the Bachelor of Theology. It provides an opportunity to undertake some theological study with special focus on Christian Thought (including Biblical Studies, Theology, and Humanities in the Christian Tradition) or on Christian Practice (Christian Life and Ministry).
Bachelor of Theology
The Bachelor of Theology degree is a 24 unit (i.e 3 year) undergraduate award that provides a broad and coherent study of Orthodox theology and related disciplines (Biblical Studies, Theology, Humanities in the Christian Tradition, and Ministry). It is designed for those school-leavers or mature-entry students seeking an undergraduate foundation in theology. This degree prepares candidates for professional, academic, and lay Christian ministry; and for further learning beyond the degree.
Graduate Certificate in Arts
The Graduate Certificate in Arts degree is a 4 unit (i.e 6 months) postgraduate award. It is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology, and who are seeking skills in Orthodox theological studies to enhance their professional work. Upon successful completion of this Grad Cert, students may enter and have their 4 units counted towards the Graduate Diploma or Master of Arts degrees.
Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies degree is a 4 unit (i.e 6 months) postgraduate award. It is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology, and who are seeking skills in Orthodox theological studies to enhance their professional work. It differs to the Grad Cert of Arts in that it is a more specialised degree that requires half of the units taken to be from the disciplines of Theology or Biblical Studies. Upon successful completion of this Grad Cert, students may enter and have their 4 units counted towards the Graduate Diploma or Master of Theological Studies degrees.
Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts degree is a 8 unit (i.e 1 year) postgraduate award. It requires the completion of the Grad Cert of Arts; though generally such students would enter the Master of Arts. It is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology, and who are seeking skills in Orthodox theological studies to enhance their professional work. Upon successful completion of this Grad Diploma, students may enter and have their units counted towards the Master of Arts degrees.
Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies
The Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies degree is a 8 unit (i.e 1 year) postgraduate award. It requires the completion of the Grad Cert of Theological Studies; though generally such students would enter the Master of Theological Studies. It is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in theology. It differs to the Diploma of Arts in that it is a more specialised degree that requires half of the units taken to be from the disciplines of Theology or Biblical Studies. The other remaining units may be taken from any discipline. Upon successful completion of this Grad Diploma, students may enter and have their units counted towards the Master of Theological Studies degree.
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts degree is a 8 or 12 unit (i.e. 1 or 1.5 year) postgraduate award. It is designed for graduates who hold a tertiary qualification in a theological discipline (this may be a Grad Cert in Arts), who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in Orthodox theology as part of their continuing education for ministry or academic study. Please note those holding tertiary degrees in a non-theological discipline may enter via the Grad Cert in Arts. It is designed to provide a graduate-level education in biblical and theological study, spiritual formation, and cultural literacy that will prepare them for ordained or other ministry in the church, and other vocational settings; as well as laying the foundation for further postgraduate study and research (i.e MTh or PhD).
Master of Theological Studies
The Master of Theological Studies degree is a 8 or 12 unit (i.e. 1 or 1.5 year) postgraduate award. It is designed for graduates who hold a tertiary qualification in a theological discipline (this may be a Grad Cert in Theological Studies), who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in Orthodox theology as part of their continuing education for ministry or academic study. Please note those holding tertiary degrees in a non-theological discipline may enter via the Grad Cert in Theological Studies. It differs to the Master of Arts in that it is a more specialised degree that requires half of the units taken to be from the disciplines of Theology or Biblical Studies. The other remaining units may be taken from any discipline. It is designed to provide a graduate-level education in biblical and theological study, that will prepare them for ordained or other ministry in the church, and other vocational settings; as well as laying the foundation for further specialised postgraduate study and research (i.e MTh or PhD).
Master of Theology
The Master of Theology degree is a 12 unit (i.e. 1.5 year) postgraduate coursework award. It is designed for those who hold at least a Bachelor of Theology (or equivalent including the Master of Arts or Master of Theological Studies) and who wish to pursue theological studies in greater depth and with greater rigour. It includes either a specialisation in one discipline or subdiscipline, along with the opportunity for a focused research project. Students are eligible to articulate to the MPhil, DMin, or PhD offered by the Sydney College of Divinity provided they meet the entry requirements (including undertaking a specified research component within the Master of Theology).
Higher Degree Research
As a leading provider of the highest quality theological education in the Orthodox tradition, St Cyril‘s Higher Degree Research (HDR) awards through the SCD provide opportunity to pursue advanced study in a theologically related area at the highest academic level. These accredited research degrees include the Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Doctor of Theology (ThD). St Cyril‘s offers supervision for the SCD Higher Degree Research awards in disciplines of Theology, Biblical Studies, Patristics, Science and Religion, Coptic/Arabic/Syriac literature and thought, and Church History (among others). For more information see the Higher Degree Research awards.
