Bachelor of Theology

The Bachelor of Theology (BTh) is designed to prepare you for ministry and leadership within church and community settings.

Apply Enquire

Course Description

Are you ready to learn more about the transforming power of our God? The BTh integrates a well-developed foundation in Christian Studies with a broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge in theology and biblical studies. This includes exploration of the Christian tradition as developed historically and within faith traditions. It also includes engagement in the study of the primary texts of the Christian faith (Old and New Testaments) with reflection on how those texts have been interpreted both historically and in contemporary readings.

You will also get to hone your skills in communication and problem solving. Theories are applied and professional skills are developed through practical assessments and work-integrated learning.

Course Structure

This course structure applies from Semester 2, 2023 onwards.

The course structure is based on six semesters (each of 12 weeks duration, plus an exam week), with four subjects taught in each semester. It comprises:

120 credit points core subjects
70 credit points of restricted electives
50 credit points of electives

To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Theology a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 240 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects noted below.

For more information and details of previous course structures see Student Handbook.

Subjects - According to Course Structure

Core / 12 Subjects (120 credit points)

Restricted Electives / 7 Subjects (70 credit points)

20 credit points BIB 200 level
20 credit points THE 200 level
10 credit points BIB 300 level
10 credit points CCM/EXP/MIN/WOR 200 level or above
10 credit points THE 300 level

Electives / 5 Subjects (50 credit points)

20 credit points at 100 level or above
10 credit points at 200 level or above
20 credit points 300 level

Subjects - Suggested Study Plans*

Here are 2 study plans illustrating how you could complete this course on full-time or part-time basis.

These example study plans show progressions which include core subjects, elective subjects and other coursework such as practicals and work placements.

Subject availability may vary based on semesters so before enrolling, please check the timetable to confirm subject availability.

If you have any questions about your enrollment, individual circumstances, or if you are considering different subjects or sequencing from the proposed study plan, we encourage you to consult the student enrollment guide or contact our Student Support team (current students)/ Future Students team (future students).

Full-time Suggested Study Plan

First Year: Semester 1

ACA101 Faith and Purpose
BIB104 Old Testament Foundations
MIN101 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry
THE105 Introduction to Theology

First Year: Semester 2

HIS102 Church History Foundations
BIB105 New Testament Foundations
CCM101 Introduction to Cross Cultural Ministry
MIN102 Christian Spirituality

Second Year: Semester 1

BIB215 The World of the New Testament
THE201 Christian Ethics
THE202 Christ and Salvation
Recommended Elective: ANL101 Old Testament Hebrew 1 or ANL151 New Testament Greek 1

Second Year: Semester 2

BIB214 The World of the Old Testament
THE204 Pneumatology
THE208 Trinity and Christian Life
Recommended Elective: ANL201 Old Testament Hebrew 2 or ANL251 New Testament Greek 2

Third Year: Semester 1

Recommended Elective: BIB210 The Pentateuch or BIB213 Historical Books of the Old Testament
Recommended Elective: BIB340 Jesus and the Gospels or BIB355 The Book of Revelation
Recommended Elective: MIN201 Pastoral Administration and Management or MIN206 Pentecostal Ministry Foundations
Recommended Elective: THE311 Ecclesiology or THE313 Creation and Humanity

Third Year: Semester 2

BIB204 Biblical Interpretation
LEA201 Leadership Principles
Recommended Elective: BIB352 Romans & Galatians or BIB353 I & II Corinthians
Recommended Elective: THE310 Apologetics or THE320 Theology and Psychology

Part-time Suggested Study Plan

First Year: Semester 1

ACA101 Faith and Purpose
BIB104 Old Testament Foundations

First Year: Semester 2

HIS102 Church History Foundations
BIB105 New Testament Foundations

Second Year: Semester 1

MIN101 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry
THE105 Introduction to Theology

Second Year: Semester 2

CCM101 Introduction to Cross Cultural Ministry
MIN102 Christian Spirituality

Third Year: Semester 1

BIB215 The World of the New Testament
THE201 Christian Ethics

Third Year: Semester 2

CCM101 Introduction to Cross Cultural Ministry
MIN102 Christian Spirituality

Fourth Year: Semester 1

THE202 Christ and Salvation
Recommended Elective: ANL101 Old Testament Hebrew 1 or ANL151 New Testament Greek 1

Fourth Year: Semester 2

THE208 Trinity and Christian Life
Recommended Elective: ANL201 Old Testament Hebrew 2 or ANL251 New Testament Greek 2

Fifth Year: Semester 1

Recommended Elective: BIB340 Jesus and the Gospels or BIB355 The Book of Revelation
Recommended Elective: MIN201 Pastoral Administration and Management or MIN206 Pentecostal Ministry Foundations

Fifth Year: Semester 2

LEA201 Leadership Principles
Recommended Elective: BIB352 Romans & Galatians or BIB353 I & II Corinthians

Sixth Year: Semester 1

Recommended Elective: BIB210 The Pentateuch or BIB213 Historical Books of the Old Testament
Recommended Elective: THE311 Ecclesiology or THE313 Creation and Humanity

Sixth Year: Semester 2

BIB204 Biblical Interpretation
Recommended Elective: THE310 Apologetics or THE320 Theology and Psychology

*In addition to these suggested study plans and subjects, more elective subjects are available, use the Subject & Unit Search to find out more

More Information

For more information and details of previous course structures see Student Handbook.
*You can also use the Subject & Unit Search to explore the subjects (including electives) available to enrol in for this course and can filter by subject area and level.

Admissions

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

Applicants admitted on the basis of their recent secondary education must demonstrate the completion of NSW Higher School Certificate with an ATAR of 65 or higher (or the completion of the International Baccalaureate or interstate or overseas equivalent qualification and result) for admission into this course.

Special admission is also available for Year 12 students whose ATAR (or equivalent) falls within 5 points of the published guaranteed ATAR but have done well in subjects relevant to the course of study. These Special Admission Pathways are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director and then tabled for approval by the Admissions Committee

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification will demonstrate the completion of a Certificate III or higher qualification awarded by an authorised institution or registered training organisation (RTO).

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a complete or partially complete higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion or partial completion of an AQF Level 5 Higher Education Diploma (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

If you are over the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate.

Other Requirements

Applicants may be required to attend a pre-admission interview with the Program Director to determine suitability for the course and profession, including the suitability to work with vulnerable groups.

Applicants must provide a valid Working with Children Check (or state-based or overseas equivalent) and Police Check for admission into a course of study.

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 6.0 (with no score below 5.5 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

Locations: Fully available Online. Some subjects available at Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide campuses
Full-time Duration: 3 year
Part-time Duration: Up to 10 years
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 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.

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

Graduates will:

demonstrate a deep knowledge of Christian history, doctrine and tradition.

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate:

skills to analyse and interpret the biblical text, using sound hermeneutical methods, as a core document of the Christian faith with consideration for the contemporary application of the text;
skills to consolidate, synthesise and communicate a Christian worldview, with particular emphasis on the role of the gospel in providing an ethical framework for personal living;
cognitive and technical skills required for theological reflection, including depth within one of the fields of theological studies or biblical studies;
skills in critical thinking and self-directed research, using a range of sources and methods;

Application of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will demonstrate:

ability to discuss and analyse contemporaneous topics, issues and challenges impacting on Christian ministry and the Pentecostal community and create solutions to these challenges. This includes the ability to apply knowledge and skills to new and diverse contexts;
communication skills to present theological knowledge, ideas and arguments to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected communication methods.
ability to collaborate with the broader community of Christian ministers and community leaders to provide appropriate collegial support;
ability to engage in the wider society regarding the role of Christianity in contemporary contexts;
self-reflection and evaluation of ministry and leadership performance for the purpose of vocational development.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Theology work in a diverse range of fields - in churches, not-for-profits, as well as commercial enterprises. We teach more than core theology, and focus on how it is applied to all areas of work, life and relationships. The Bachelor of Theology also prepares students for postgraduate studies in their area of specialisation.

Your graduate employment opportunities can include :

Church pastor
Not-for-profit / Community/ Non-governmental organisation leader
Other ministry leader
Theological educator
Bible translator
Pastoral educator
Business manager

Alumni Story

“Studying the Bachelor of Theology at AC has enriched my understanding of God, his kingdom and love for people. The classroom is a place of empowerment and empathy where open communication and thought is welcomed by fellow students and world class lecturers. This wonderful sanctuary has helped me transform my Christian worldview, deepen my understanding of who we are as God's people and renewed my hunger for his influence through us as world changers.

It’s one of the safest environments to ask questions and gain understanding from experienced professors, doctors, scholars and lecturers. What I love and enjoy the most is the presence of family, inclusion, a genuine love and help from the staff and the experience of our AC chapel service, providing a place of expression, connection and worship. Here is a place where I may be myself, come as I am and have God through his Holy Spirit do his work in me through the teaching of His living word through AC's gifted lecturers.”

Zoran Radevski,
Bachelor of Theology Graduate,
Music Director, Hope East Church Melbourne

Work-integrated Learning

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Theology, a candidate will complete at least 1 subject (10 credit points) of Professional Practice (EXP201). Students are usually required to find their own workplace, employer or 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.

CRICOS Course Code: 080051D