The Doctor of Ministry is an AQF level 10 professional doctoral award whose graduates make a significant and original contribution to knowledge as applied in the context of professional Christian ministry practice.
The degree is designed to enable men and women to produce significant and original research outcomes and as beginning researchers demonstrate the capacity to design, implement, gather and interpret data, and communicate the results of the research for theses undertaken in specific fields of knowledge applied to various areas of professional ministry.
The degree would be for theological and non-theological graduates already in significant leadership positions in churches, denominational offices, para-church agencies and non-church agencies and institutions where people wanted to enhance their research by also applying insights from Christian traditions.
Graduates with a Doctor of Ministry have already been employed in significant denominational positions for strategic planning as well as teaching pastoral and missions courses at theological colleges, bible colleges and seminaries in Australian and overseas and would continue to do so.
Thomas Kimber
Dean of Faculty, Director of Research, Lecturer in Missional and Pastoral Theology
Course Code: DMIN20
Duration: Minimum 3 years full time, up to 6 years part time.
Overseas Students: Yes (CRICOS 054710A)
Length: 3 year full time (6 semesters) or part time equivalent up to 6 years (12 semesters)
Overall 288 credit points.
Foundation Phase
All coursework units will be based on level 9 units. They will provide opportunity for advanced level development in relevant fields of study to a candidate’s proposed project.
The electives in the foundational phase are to form a coherent program of study developing content, knowledge and skills in a recognised area of ministry practice. They may come from one or a mixture of fields of study, Developmental Ministries, Evangelism & Mission, or Pastoral and Church Focused Ministry. Examples of recognised areas of ministry practice supported by ACT level 9 units are Leadership, Mentoring, Cross-Cultural Mission.
Research Phase
* It is proposed that the project may be completed in a number of ways: 40-50,000 words of text; an artefact that is clearly integrated in the project so that it is included in the 40-50,000 word count; an artefact included as an appendix but not included in the 40-50,000 word count. When the research proposal is presented as part of the Confirmation of Candidature portfolio, the supervisor and candidate should provide a rationale for the inclusion or exclusion in the 40-50,000 word count of any artefact proposed to be produced.
In the research phase of a candidate’s course, the candidate will be automatically enrolled into either a part-time recurring research phase enrolment of 24cps per semester, or a full-time recurring research phase enrolment of 48cps per semester.
Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the ACT Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Master of Theology study.
5 years minimum of ministry experience.
Language requirements for non-English speaking background applicants:
IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking.
For a full breakdown of the entry requirements for this course visit the ACT website here: https://www.actheology.edu.au/course/THD20/
For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page here.
“I wanted to learn at a school that embraced my beliefs and values. The Melbourne School of Theology does just that.”
Hannah Halliday, Pastor
Graduate Diploma of Divinity
Pastor, teacher or minister with responsibility for preaching and/or teaching, providing leadership in various ministry contexts.
Leader of staff in cross-cultural ministry, whether in Australia or internationally.
Bible translation work in Australia or internationally.
Alternatively you can get in touch with one of our Student Services team and chat further around study options, we are always here to help!
Applications close 3 July, 2023
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MST is approved to deliver courses of the Australian College of Theology including the diploma, undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate qualifications offered by MST.
These are self-accredited by the ACT under the authority of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
Melbourne School of Theology is an Affiliated College of the Australian College of Theology, CRICOS:02650E
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of God’s land on which MST stands, and pay our respects to their elders past and present, and our support for the emerging leaders of the future.
Melbourne School of Theology is a non-denominational Bible college, based in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Since 1920, MST has been passionate about training those with a heart for ministry and mission with a solid Biblical grounding in God’s Word.
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