This course structure applies from Semester 1, 2024 onwards.

The MA course structure is based on three semesters, with 4 subjects taught in each semester, comprising:

• 10 credit points — Core subjects
• 100 credit points — Electives
• 10 credit points — Capstone subject (or 20cp capstone subject and 90cp electives)

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Arts a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 120 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core / 10 credit points

• ACA401 Faith and Purpose

Elective / 100 credit points

10 subjects (unless undertaking RES501) taken from accredited Level 8 and 9 subjects:

• 70 credit points at 400 level or above
• 30 credit points at 500 level or above*

*Students undertaking RES501 complete 20 credit points at 500 level or above

Capstone / 10 credit points

Choose one of the following:

• RES500 Independent Guided Research (10 credit points), or
• RES501 Research Project (20 credit points)**

** Students undertaking RES501 complete 10 few elective credit points

*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.

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 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.

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 relevant areas of study;
• knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in relevant discipline areas;
• understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches used in the relevant disciplinary fields.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

• evaluate, 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 relevant disciplines;
• 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 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;
• 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.