GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN Theological Studies (GRADCERTTHST)

Award Summary:  AQF Level 8

Entry Requirements

• A three-year AQF Level 7 award or equivalent in any discipline.

Structure

• 36 credit points (i.e. 4 units)

English Proficiency

Applicants who have obtained qualifications from institutions where English is not the language of instruction require a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with no result below 7.0. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Fees

See our  Tuition Fees.

Enrolment

Students must be enrolled in order to undertake a unit of study. Applications for admission should be made by contacting the registrar.

Outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies course is designed for those who hold a tertiary qualification in a non-theological discipline, Graduates will have:

Knowledge

• an understanding, within a coherent body of knowledge, of the core disciplines of theology and biblical studies serving both as an introduction to the study of theology and its related disciplines and as the basis for independent lifelong learning.

Skills

• Cognitive and technical skills specifically in the disciplines of theology and biblical studies, so as to be able independently to:
  • review and synthesize theological information and reflect on complex problems
  • think critically and evaluate complex ideas
  • research, analyse and communicate theologically related ideas

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

• the ability to
  • make high level, independent judgments related to a range of issues pertaining to Christian living and / or ministry.

Admission to Candidature

1. Applicants for admission to candidature for a degree of Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies shall:
   1. have qualified for admission to a three-year AQF Level 7 award from an accredited Australian tertiary institution; or
   2. hold, from a university or other tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the Student Administration Committee as equivalent to such an award.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of this regulation the Student Administration Committee may require an applicant to demonstrate fitness for admission as a candidate for a degree of Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies by carrying out such work and/or sitting for such examinations as the Student Administration Committee may determine.
3. In exceptional cases an applicant may be admitted as a candidate for a degree of Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies if the applicant submits evidence of other academic and professional attainments to the Student Administration Committee.
4. A candidate for the award shall be designated as full-time or part-time. A student is designated as a full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester.
5. No candidate for the award may be concurrently enrolled in any other undergraduate or postgraduate course within the Sydney College of Divinity or any other tertiary institution, unless approval has been granted by the Academic Board.
6. Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally will be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS (or equivalent) result of 7.0 in all bands of the test and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
7. Application for enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies program is made to the Registrar of the St. Cyril‘s Coptic Orthodox Theological College.

Course Structure

1. The Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies requires the completion of 4 units (36 units).
2. All course units shall be taken from the Schedule of Units of Study from 8500 and 9600 series.
3. The four units shall include:
   • One foundational unit in Theology
   • One foundational unit in Biblical studies
   • Two elective units.
4. The course may be taken with or without a concentration.

Please consult the registrar for more information.

Period of Candidature

1. The period of candidature for the degree shall normally be 0.5 year full-time and up to 1.5 years part-time.
2. In certain circumstances the Student Administration Committee of the SCD may grant extensions.

Leave of Absence

1. The Student Administration Committee of the SCD, at the recommendation of St. Cyril‘s may grant leave of absence from the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. The period of leave shall not be counted as part of the period of candidature for the degree.
2. The period of leave shall normally be one semester after which a candidate may apply for a further period of one semester or will be required to complete candidature.

Assessment

1. The assessment of subject units shall be in the manner approved by the Academic Board of the SCD in line with its established guidelines for assessment packages.
2. Students may be required by the Academic Board of the SCD to present themselves for oral examination.
3. Academic and non-academic misconduct will be penalized severely in accordance with the regulations of the SCD.

Credit for Previous Study

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 18 credit points in the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. Credit can be granted only from units at graduate level where the outcomes, content, demand hours and assessment are equivalent to that of units in the SCD award.

Delivery of Units

1. Units are delivered in weekly lectures on campus.
2. Units are also offered via distance education (online) mode. Some units may require a compulsory on-campus component.

External Studies

The requirements of specific units in majors and sub-majors can also be fulfilled if a student undertakes an equivalent unit at another member institution of the SCD or at a university or recognised tertiary institution after consultation with the Registrar and subject to Faculty approval.

Saving Clause

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity may, in any case in which it may deem it appropriate to do so, vary, dispense with or suspend any requirement or prescription by these regulations, and report forthwith to the Council of the Sydney College of Divinity