Doctor of Philosophy

Course Description

The Doctor of Philosophy (AQF level 10 Doctoral Research) course has been designed to allow candidates whose academic background is in fields other than traditionally related to theology to pursue research in their primary field of research and integrate their research with knowledge from various Christian traditional theological disciplines.

The degree will equip men and women as beginning researchers in a broad range of fields of study related to the humanities and social sciences and provide a qualification recognised by theological and Bible colleges as well as universities for those who teach in these fields.

See the ACT website for the full list of course learning outcomes.

Course Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 6 years (12 semesters).

Campuses this course is delivered at:

Sydney Campus & Perth Campus

Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

  • MTh, OR
  • BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Distinction in the thesis, OR
  • BTh or BMin plus a Graduate Diploma with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
  • BTh or BMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
  • MDiv or MMin with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥ Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
  • MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
  • MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR 
  • Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Philosophy study.

^ RTP = Research Training Pathway
~ FoR = Field of Research

Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS min 7.5 overall with a min 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking.

Course Structure

80-100,000 word thesis, excluding bibliography

This is a course of the Australian College of Theology.

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