MST makes provision for students who have undertaken relevant studies at other recognised tertiary institutions (i.e. Australian Universities, TAFEs or Private Providers of accredited courses) to receive appropriate recognition for these studies in undergraduate and graduate programs. The study must have been completed no more than ten years previously.

Credit for a subject already passed at another college offering ACT awards is guaranteed for students enrolled in any ACT award.

The student should check the specific details of their course to determine how much credit may be granted from a non-MST or ACT award.

Students who wish to gain credit from a subject at a non-ACT college undertaken while they are currently enrolled in the ACT course must gain prior permission to do so. See the Dean of Studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning allows for credit to be applied to coursework based on prior learning from:

Formal or non-formal courses/workshops offered by a professional body, enterprise or private educational institution that is not an Australian University, TAFE or Private Provider of accredited courses and informal contexts such as work experience or life experience.

Ministry Experience or Supervised Experience Based Learning (SEBL) is not eligible for transfer credit or RPL.

How to Apply

1. The student should:
   • Complete the MST Transfer Credit RPL form indicating the course enrolled in and the subject or field of study where transfer credit or RPL is being sought. N.B Students must apply for a specific subject. The application must be made at the commencement of the course and will not be received later than 2 weeks into the first semester of a student’s course. There is no cost for a submission.
   • Students should also explain their reasons and attach evidence of learning gained or maintained within the last 10 years. This may include but is not limited to:
     • A certified transcript showing results for cases of transfer credit.
     • A certified copy of a statement of satisfactory completion of a subject for other courses. The student may also be asked to supply details of objectives, learning outcomes and content of the subject, assessment undertaken, contact hours and presenter.
     • A detailed curriculum vitae and letters of support from appropriate persons/organisations who can verify these details for learning from informal experience.
2. Either the course advisor or the Dean or Studies must sign the form.
3. The request will be presented to the Board of Studies for a final decision. Credit may be granted for up to half of the requirements for any MST course and one third of any ACT course. The result, if positive in general will be one of the following:
   • Credit for a specific subject
   • Advanced Standing (undesignated credit).
   • Credit toward a field;
4. A letter of the results will be sent to the student and a copy placed in their student file.
5. For applications of students enrolled in an ACT award a letter of recommendation will be forwarded to the Dean of the ACT if the Board of Studies approves the request. The Dean’s decision is the final one.

A subject in an undergraduate degree or Master of Divinity for which Transfer Credit or RPL was granted cannot be attempted in another award. However, if it can be demonstrated that the subject matter of a project or seminar is different from that completed in another award, permission to enrol may be granted.