GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF Theological Studies (GRADDIPThST)

Award Summary:  AQF Level 8

Entry Requirements

• A three-year AQF Level 7 award in any discipline
• Students with an SCD Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies may enter the program. To receive the award they are required to complete a further 36 credit points (4 units), and hand back the GradCertThSt upon graduation

Duration

• 1 year (2 semesters) full-time
• 3 years (6 semesters) part-time

Structure

• 72 credit points (i.e. 8 units)
• The course may be taken with or without a specialisation.

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

Graduates will have:

Knowledge

• an advanced understanding, within a coherent body of knowledge, specifically in the two core disciplines of theology and biblical studies; this may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area.

Skills

• Cognitive and technical skills in the two core disciplines of theology and biblical studies, so as to be able independently to:
  • review, reflect on and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with a theologically-related body of knowledge
  • Critically think and evaluate complex ideas.
    transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to a variety of audiences.

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

• the ability to:
  • make high level, independent and theologically informed judgements
  • plan and evaluate activities and projects within a particular ministry setting
  • identify ways that this body of knowledge relates to Christian living and / or ministry.

Admission to Candidature

1. Applicants for admission to candidature for a degree of Graduate Diploma of  Theological Studies shall:
   1. have completed an AQF Level 7 award in Theology 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, or
   3. hold an SCD Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies: to receive the award a student is required to complete a further 36 credit points (4 units), and hand back the GradCertThSt upon graduation
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 Diploma of 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 Diploma of 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 Diploma of Theological Studies program is made to the Registrar of the St. Cyril‘s Coptic Orthodox Theological College.

Course Structure

1. The Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies requires the completion of 8 units.
2. Four core units will be taken from the disciplines of theology and biblical studies.
3. All course units shall be taken from the Schedule of Units of Study in the 8500 and 9600 series.
4. The course may be taken with a specialisation.
5. Students who enter the program from a BTh, BMin, MDiv or equivalent course cannot enrol in units with content similar to those covered in their earlier studies

Please consult the registrar for more information.

Period of Candidature

1. The period of candidature for the degree shall normally be one year full-time and up to three 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 Diploma of 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

1. A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies.
2. Credit will be granted for units that are from an equivalent award or institution and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies.

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.

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the GradDipThSt may exit with the Graduate Certificate in  Theological Studies provided they have met the requirements of the award.

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