Diploma of Theology (70122NT) - Requirements

Students must be sponsored by their the local church and the ministerial training board or authority of the student’s denomination to enroll for the Diploma of Theology. Students normally complete the Certificate III in Theology or its equivalent to gain entry.

Students complete a total of 32 study units – 21 core and 11 elective units to be awarded the Diploma of Theology. Each study unit involves 25 to 75 hours of study.

Details of the Diploma of Theology program:

1. Theological studies – core units
UKP001	Communicate a theological framework
UKP002	Communicate an Australian Indigenous Theology
UKP003	Communicate an understanding of salvation through Christ
UKP004	Communicate a contextual theology of the Holy Spirit
UKP005	Communicate a theology of God as Trinity
UKP006	Communicate a contextual theology of Church
UKP007	Communicate a contextual theology of Sacraments

2. Theological studies – Elective units (2 of these 4)
UKP019	Communicate the process of God’s revelation to all people
UKP020	Communicate an Indigenous Australian Spirituality
UKP021	Communicate an Indigenous Australian Theology of Land
UKP022	Communicate an understanding of Indigenous Contextual Theologies to an Indigenous Australian context

3. Biblical studies – core units
UKP008	Communicate a deeper understanding of the Bible
UKP009	Communicate skills in exegeting the Books of the Law
UKP010	Communicate skills in exegeting the work of the Writing Prophets
UKP011	Communicate skills in exegeting Wisdom Literature
UKP012	Communicate skills in exegeting the Gospel of Matthew
UKP013	Communicate skills in exegeting 1 Corinthians
UKP014	Communicate skills in exegeting 1 Peter

4. Biblical studies – Hebrew Scriptures elective units (1 of these 4)
UKP023	Communicate an understanding of Hebrew Scriptures as Literature
UKP024	Communicate the History of Israel and how it relates to Indigenous People
UKP025	Communicate skills in understanding Psalms and Poetry (credit trans only)
UKP026	Communicate an understanding of Ruth and Esther

5. Biblical studies – New Testament elective units (2 of these 5)
UKP027	Communicate the New Testament as Literature
UKP028	Communicate the key people and places in the New Testament
UKP029	Communicate skills in exegeting the Gospel of Luke (credit trans only)
UKP030	Communicate skills in exegeting the Letter to the Philippians
UKP031	Communicate skills in exegeting the Book of Revelation

6. Church History – core units
UKP015	Communicate church history from 1500 to the present day
UKP016	Communicate the history of Missions in Australia
UKP017	Communicate Indigenous Australian church history

7. Ministry Education – core units
CHCCD13C	Work with specific communities
CHCGROUP3C	Plan and conduct group activities
CHCORG3B	Participate in the work environment
UKP018	Plan and undertake shared leadership in public worship of the church

8. Ministry Education – elective units A (4 of these 8)
CHCAC1C	Provide support for an older person
CHCCD4C	Develop and implement community programs
CHCCOM3C	Utilise specialist communication skills to build strong relationships
CHCORG5B	Maintain an effective work environment
CHCMH1B	Orientation to mental health work
CHCPOL3A	Undertake research activities
CHCYTH2C	Provide care and protection for young people
CSCOFM014A	Provide support to offenders in Aboriginal/Torres Strait communities

9. Ministry Education – elective units B (4 of these 9)
CHCCD8B	Support community action
UKP032	Develop an understanding of the preparation and conduct of liturgy
UKP033	Develop and use skills in preaching
UKP034	Develop and practice Pastoral Care skills in an Indigenous context
UKP035	Develop and use skills in music for church ministry
UKP036	Strengthen and use skills in Indigenous vernacular languages
UKP037	Develop and use skills in dramatic and/or visual arts for Indigenous church ministry
Christian Teaching Package (Five TAA competencies grouped as one unit)
BSCMN404A	Develop teams and individuals

Diploma of Theology Delivery

Normally, the Certificate of Theology (or equivalent) is the entry requirement for the Diploma of Theology. The Diploma may be studied full-time or part-time through Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns by mixed-mode study (distance education in own community and residential block study). A 2 to 3 year program is offered with a mix of residential blocks in Cairns and distance study in local communities. Distance study is arranged with staff and tutors. Each student should work out a plan of studies with the College. Centrelink funding will cover travel and accommodation.

Tutors
Tutors are normally people of Christian maturity who have some theological training. They are people who can communicate effectively with Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders and are accepted by the appropriate authorities of the students’ own denomination. Tutors are recognised by the Wontulp-Bi-Buya College Management Committee and their names forwarded to Nungalinya College, Darwin.

Support Persons
Support persons for students who are doing Ministry Education will normally be people of Christian maturity with wide experience in ministry and an ability to reflect theologically and biblically on experiences encountered. Tutors will not automatically be approved as support persons in field ministry.

Churches that have not yet done so should nominate persons to support students in field ministry. Those nominations should be sent to the Principal of the College to be presented to the College Faculty. Evidence of the qualifications and experience in ministry of the proposed support persons should accompany such nominations.

Download Course Brochure

Diploma of Theology brochure 2008 (500 kb)