Diploma of Theology/Diploma of Ministry
The two year double Diploma (of Theology and Ministry) program aims to introduce students in a systematic manner to the body of coherent knowledge that is the classical discipline of theology as a means of preparing men and women for well- informed participation in the life of the church and for ministry among children, youth and families. Over two years of full time study, combining College based lectures and classes with practical experience in ministry placements, the Diploma program will equip you well for sharing Jesus with children and young people.
Course structure
Full time Diploma students attend lectures on two days per week over an extended academic year. Beginning around the first week of February and running through to the end of November, students are at the College campus on Mondays and Tuesdays. Accommodation is available on campus for up to two nights per week. Meals during class times (morning teas, two lunches and one dinner each week) are available to all students.
Full time students complete eight units per year over two thirteen week semesters. Each semester is divided into two terms broken by the Autumn and Spring vacations of NSW government schools. Each semester, three units are completed through weekly lectures and one additional unit is completed in intensive mode.
Intensive units are taught in both semesters – the Summer Ministry Intensives are offered in first semester and the Personal Life of Those in Ministry unit in second semester: on tour in Queensland in July, or at Loftus in September every second year.
In the weekly classes some units are streamed into first and second year students. First year students complete two units in Christian Theology. Second year students complete two units in Biblical Exegesis. Other units are taught in combined groups of first and second year students in a Year A and B program.
Click here for more information about part time options.
Ministry Intensives
Ministry electives in Youth Ministry and Children’s Ministry are streamed into first year and second year units. The first year units are all skills-based and are designed to give students the necessary theological foundation and skills required to begin in ministry with children or young people. In a student’s second year, after a year of theological study and at least a year of ministry experience, the units reflect on the issues involved in each ministry area in more depth. These electives are completed in intensive-mode over six days in January/February along with other intensive students.
First Year
Children’s Ministry – DM222 Children’s Ministry Skills
Youth Ministry – DM211 Youth in the Churches
Second Year
Children’s Ministry – DM220 Church-based Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry – DM210 Foundations for Youth Ministry
Click here for more information about Ministry Intensives.
Core Units
Core units cover areas of biblical studies, Christian doctrine and church history, along with three core units in ministry (Christian Education in Practice, Foundations for Evangelism) and spirituality (The Personal Life of Those in Ministry).
Year A (2012, 2014)
Semester 1
First Year: TH210 God, Jesus and the Bible
Second Year: NT207 The Book of Revelation
Combined: DM204 Christian Education in Practice
NT201 The Gospel in the Gospels
Semester 2
First Year: TH211 The Holy Spirit, Grace and Hope
Second Year: OT205 Genesis and Deuteronomy
Combined: OT201 From Beginnings to Exile
CH205 Early Church History
Year B (2013, 2015)
Semester 1
First Year: TH210 God, Jesus and the Bible
Second Year: NT208 Hebrews
Combined: NT202 Acts and Epistles
EM223 Foundations for Evangelism
Semester 2
First Year: TH211 Holy Spirit, Grace and Hope
Second Year: OT226 Psalms
Combined: CH202 The Church from 1550 to Modern Times
OT202 Prophets and Writings
Click here to view Unit Outlines
Click here to view the Academic Calendar & Timetables
The Personal Life of Those in Ministry
The ACT unit PC210 The Personal Life of Those in Ministry is normally completed during a student’s first year of the Diploma program.
Face to face students join together with teaching faculty for a two week tour to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island in Queensland during the mid-year break. Engaging in intentional community together, the tour provides space to reflect on our personal spiritual lives as people involved in formal Christian ministry.
The same program is taught in Year B in the September holidays in a six day semi-residential intensive program at the College campus in Loftus specifically provided for distance students and those face to face students who are unable to participate in the mid-year tour.
Additional Program Requirements
Ministry placement
All Diploma students are required to work in regular Christian ministry with children or young people in a recognised ministry placement. Ministry placements can be voluntary or paid, must be at least 2.5 hours per week and must be no more than 20 hours per week (two and a half days). The suitability of ministry placements must be confirmed by the College before the commencement of study using the Ministry Placement Confirmation form. The College can assist in finding a suitable placement if you do not have one already arranged.
Safe Ministry Training
All students must have completed a recognised training program in safe ministry before commencing study at the College.
Youthworks Ministry Certificate
(Children’s/Youth Ministry)
The Youthworks Ministry Certificate is an additional program offered by Youthworks College in conjunction with the ACT Diploma program to provide students with additional training and experience in children’s and youth ministry.
Completing the Ministry Certificate program enables the College to assist students with finding a ministry placement at the conclusion of their studies. The Ministry Certificate is compulsory for students seeking Anglican ordination.
Ministry Skills
During their first and second years, students divide into youth and children’s ministry streams for ministry skills. College faculty, Youthworks Training Advisors and visiting experts lead students in developing their skills for ministry.
Practical Theology
During their third year, in place of ministry skills, students in the Advanced Ministry Certificate are offered an introduction to Practical Theology to develop their skills in integrating Bible and theology with culture and context.
Mission
During their second and third year, students are involved in a week of evangelistic activity in a church other than their regular place of ministry. Students are gathered in teams and work together with Youthworks Ministry Advisors to plan and carry out a mission among children or young people in conjunction with a local church or school.
Ministry Development
College faculty work with ministry certificate students in their personal ministry development. At the end of first year and at the beginning of Term 4 of second and third year, College faculty work together on letters to students giving feedback on their development in ministry, noting strengths and weaknesses and avenues for further development. Students are assisted in finding suitable ministry placements during and at the conclusion of their studies.
Click here for more information on fees
Click here to view the Academic Calendar & Timetables
Outdoor Ministry Apprenticeship
Did you know that you can complete your Diploma of Theology whilst also working in outdoor ministry?
The rhythms of the calendar are quite different for an outdoor ministry than a parish ministry. In NSW especially, the lion share of the ministry happens in the warmer months, leaving the winter months ideally suited for more intense training and preparation.
From this challenge came a solution that we believe will work to see people well-trained and thoroughly-equipped for a lifetime of ministry, whether in the outdoor context or otherwise.
Instead of adopting the ‘normal’ academic year, we will now be offering apprentices the opportunity to spend most days in the warmer months bringing the Word to children and youth, and spend the winter months of their second and fourth years being taught subjects in the Diploma of Theology. To complement this theological training, apprentices will train for a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation in first year, and then a Certificate IV in their third year.
Four years of ministry experience, coupled with training in the practical skills of outdoor recreation, and rigorous theological learning. Plus, get paid to learn as you serve on our team!
Click here for more details about the program.
