Graduate Diploma in Arts

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (GDA) is an eight-subject award for those wishing to explore theology and its application to life, as well as those looking to further their knowledge in a Humanities speciality.

Course Description

AC's Graduate Diploma in Arts is the next step in academic reflection and practice, designed for those who want to go deeper in their faith. Learning and being mentored by experts means you will be able to apply a body of knowledge from a range of electives in a range of contexts to undertake advanced professional or ministry positions.

This course is a nested award in the Master of Arts, meaning the GDA can be a destination course or exit point, thus allowing flexibility for students who may wish to start with a short postgraduate course before committing to a Master of Arts or for students who need to exit the Master of Arts earlier than intended. 

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Course Structure

This course structure applies from Semester 1, 2024 onwards.

The course structure is based on two semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in each semester. It comprises:

  • 10 credit points — Core subjects
  • 70 credit points — Electives

To qualify for award of the degree of Graduate Diploma in Arts a candidate shall complete at least 80 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects noted below.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core / 1 Subjects (10 credit points)

  • ACA401 Faith and Purpose

Electives / 7 Subjects (70 credit points)

7 subjects taken from an accredited Level 8 and 9 subjects (400, 500 or 600 level) offered by AC.

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 a Bachelor degree or higher (or equivalent) 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 7.0 (with no score below 6.5 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 Online. Some subjects available at Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide campuses
Full-time Duration: 1 year
Part-time Duration: Up to 3 years
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2, Nov Intake

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.

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 disciplines studied

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • analyse, synthesise and critically engage the theoretical knowledge in the relevant areas of study;
  • examine a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the disciplines;
  • analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from related disciplines;
  • 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 fields.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected disciplinary fields to develop appropriate solutions;
  • design, implement and evaluate broad conceptual frameworks in the selected disciplinary fields;
  • work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the selected disciplinary fields.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Arts will demonstrate an ability to apply a body of knowledge from a range of electives in a range of contexts to undertake advanced professional or ministry positions. This includes, for example:

- pastoral roles

- leadership roles

- not-for-profit employment

- Higher Education sector employment


Alumni Stories

“Stepping into AC to study opened up more opportunities than I could ever have imagined. My arts studies have laid a foundation for the rest of my life and was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Craig Hall,

Arts Graduate

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Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 084484B