Master of Arts
The Master of Arts (MA) is designed to provide a generalist postgraduate-level education, with the opportunity to specialise in certain subject areas. The specialisations include: Chaplaincy; Christian Studies; Discipline Area; or Ministry. This course is overseen by Program Director Dr Jacqueline Service.
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
Subject code | Subject name | Subject description |
---|---|---|
Core | ||
RES401 | Postgraduate Research and Writing | New to higher education studies & it all seems too hard… |
THE401 | Christian Worldview | Do you have questions about God that you have been unable t… |
MAJOR (SPECIALISATION)
Chaplaincy Specialisation
SSC534 Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
SSC410 Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing
SSC500 Professional Practice
SSC510 Human Life Span Development
SSC516 Mental Health
SSC528 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
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
Choose 1:
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.
All Subjects Available
View the full list of subjects for this course.*
*Note: This list doesn't include all SSC/SSE/EXP units that are also available to study as part of this award. To find out the entire range of subjects available, please contact the Student Services team.
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) StudyThis 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 StudyApplicants 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 ExperienceThis 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, Online
Locations: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart
Duration: 1.5 years full-time/up to 7 years part-time
Intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2
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.
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.
Alumni Stories
“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.
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.
Student Services
For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.
CRICOS Code
CRICOS Course Code: 084483C