Course Description
Do you want to bring a Christian worldview to your career and community? The MA integrates cutting-edge principles in theology, leadership, and contextual studies with Biblical values, to equip professionals like you in all contexts. The course draws on our established areas of expertise while expanding the offerings to general subject areas such as history and communication. The purpose of this program is to provide an advanced body of knowledge and professional application for graduates in a variety of contexts in these key areas of specialisation.
In addition to developing skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, you will be equipped with advanced knowledge of theory in your area of specialisation and the application of theoretical concepts in practical settings.The MA can also prepare you for further study by inclusion within the structured program of some independent research.
The MA course structure is based on three semesters, with 4 subjects taught in each semester, comprising:
- 2 compulsory core subjects (20 credit points)
- 5 subjects in the Major/Specialisation (50 credit points)
- 4 elective subjects (40 credit points)
- 1 capstone projects (or 20 cp Capstone subject and 30 cp Electives) (10 credit points)
To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Arts a candidate shall complete at least 120 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.
For more information see the Student Handbook.
Subjects
Core / 20 credit points
- RES401 - Postgraduate Research and Writing
- THE401 - Christian Worldview
Specialisation / 50 credit points
Chaplaincy Specialisation
- SSC534 Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
- SSC410 Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing
- SSC500 Professional Practice
- SSC510 Human Life Span Development
- SSC516 Mental Health
- SSC538 Working with Relationships
- SSC518 Working with Trauma
Christian Studies Specialisation
- 20 credit points ANL/BIB/CCM/MIN/THE/WOR 400 level or above
- 30 credit points ANL/BIB/CCM/MIN/THE/WOR 500 level or above
Counselling Specialisation
- SSC410 Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing
- SSC412 Counselling Practice I
- SSC514 Counselling Practice II
- SSC516 Mental Health
- SSC530 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Discipline Specialisation
- 20 credit points in discipline area 400 level or above
- 30 credit points in discipline area 500 level or above
Elective / 40 credit points
Elective subjects can be taken from an accredited 400, 500 or 600 level subject offered by the College.
The number of electives depends on the specialisation and capstone subjects selected.
Students who choose to complete the Chaplaincy or Counselling specialisations are recommended to complete specific electives, as guided by the Head of Social Sciences, Associate Professor Rebecca Loundar.
Capstone / 10 credit points
Choose one of the following:
- RES500 Independent Guided Research (10 cp)
- RES501 Research Project (20 cp)*
- RES503 Specialised Stream Research (10 cp)
- RES601 Research Methods (20 cp)
*Note: This subject can only be taken if the student has a GPA of 2.8 or above, and requires the Program Director's approval.
More information
You can view the full list of subjects for this course here. For more details on which subjects you can choose, see the current enrolment guide for this course.
Admission Criteria
Academic
Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)
This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study
This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
Applicants with Higher Education Study
Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
Language
Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.0 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.
Study Modes
Delivery Mode*: Face-to-Face (Campus class), Online Live (Zoom class), Online Recorded
Locations**: Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Online
Duration: 1.5 years full-time/up to 7 years part-time
Intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2
* Our study modes are flexible so you can mix-and-match different modes throughout your course to fit your needs. For example, a face-to-face student can choose to attend some classes online or an online student may choose to take some subjects face-to-face.
** Some subjects may only be available in certain study modes each semester. Please check the timetable for the most up-to-date information. Face-to-face classes can be delivered weekly or via intensives, where the subject is delivered in a block over consecutive weekdays and/or weekends. Some subjects must be completed face-to-face to meet professional accreditation requirements.
Fees & Timetable
A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.
For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.
FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.
Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
Demonstrated:
- advanced and integrated understanding of key issues and practices within the specialisations of: Chaplaincy; Christian Studies; Discipline Area; or Ministry;
- knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in the area of the specialisations;
- understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches used in the selected disciplinary field.
Skills:
Demonstrated ability to:
- evaluate, synthesise and critically engage the theoretical knowledge in the relevant areas of the study;
- examine a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the discipline;
- analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from related disciplines;
- design a research question that explores a complex issue and to provide possible solution(s) to the problem raised;
- communicate effectively complex ideas and proposed solutions to peers and general audiences;
- identify and critically evaluate new developments of research and scholarship in the selected disciplinary field.
Application of Knowledge and Skills:
Demonstrated ability to:
- articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected disciplinary field to develop appropriate solutions;
- work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the selected disciplinary fields;
- design and implement a major research project in the selected disciplinary fields.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Arts may find employment in a ministry or church-based organisation, not-for-profit or mission-focused organisation, community service-oriented position or positions that require skills in research and critical thinking, such as:
- Senior Pastor
- Cross-Cultural Ministry worker
- Church relations manager
- NGO Communications Manager
Additionally, graduates may progress further in the pathway toward doctoral studies upon completion of the Master of Arts.
Postgraduate students wanting to progress to a research degree must complete a research project of at least 12,000 words, and should normally receive a Distinction for the research project as well as a high grade point average overall (roughly Distinction-level). In some cases, publication of a peer-reviewed journal article will be deemed equivalent to a 12,000-word research thesis.
Alumni Story
“Stepping into AC to study has opened up more opportunities than I could ever have imagined. These two years have laid a foundation for the rest of my life and was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have studied at university and the difference is stark. At AC, the teachers are proactive in educating within a community atmosphere, and are always accessible. AC teachers know the power of a positive word. They have been overwhelmingly supportive, always, and I mean always, encouraging me to have confidence in my scholarly abilities, and they opened doors of opportunity wherever possible. The AC teachers have encouraged me to aim as high as possible and to believe those heights are achievable.”
Craig Hall
Master of Arts Graduate
Work-integrated Learning
To qualify for the award of the Master of Arts, a candidate is not required to complete any Professional Practice subjects. Students who chose to complete a professional practice subject are usually required to find their own workplace/ employer/ mentor to be approved by AC. In some cases, a new aspect within a student’s current paid employment may be suitable as a work placement.
Student Services
For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.
