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

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.

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.