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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Master of Sacred Theology

  • Masters (Coursework)

The Master of Sacred Theology is a two-year program offering advanced theological study at an Ecclesiastical Faculty recognized by the Holy See. It serves as a pathway to higher research degrees and includes coursework and research components.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
2 - 6 years full-time
Course Code
5165
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Jan, Feb

About this course

Overview

The Master of Sacred Theology offers students a unique opportunity to study at an Ecclesiastical Faculty recognised by the Holy See. The STM program is a two-year full-time (or equivalent part-time) program that is the civil counterpart to the ecclesiastical Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) delivered at the Catholic Institute of Sydney. STL candidates and STM candidates study together in the coursework component of the degree adding to the richness of the learning environment. The program can be taken in conjunction with the STL, for those who hold a suitable ecclesiastical Bachelor of Sacred Theology, or equivalent, or as a stand-alone award. The STM can serve as a pathway to the HDR programs of Doctor of Philosophy (Theology) or the Doctor of Theology.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University's minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University's Policy: Admissions.

Applications must also meet the following requirements:

  • AQF 7 in Theology, or BDiv or MDiv or Equivalent, with a GPA of at least 2.5 overall and 3 in discipline of specialization.
  • For students without the prior study in the English language, IELTS of 7.0 in all bands.

Study locations

Sydney

Online

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master of Sacred Theology, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply an advanced knowledge of Catholic theology achieved through detailed study of one of the theological disciplines;
  2. Apply, in the light of Catholic faith, theological perspectives and methods and research principles, evident in honed cognitive and technical skills, in one of the theological disciplines;
  3. Exercise cognitive, technical and creative skills to analyse and synthesise complex information, methods, and theories in a manner that demonstrates advanced theological competence;
  4. Communicate complex theological positions, as developed in the production of a substantial thesis, in a succinct, contextualised and doctrinally coherent way, to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  5. Integrate knowledge and skills to act with competence, creativity, autonomy, and ethical responsibility in their Christian living in the world.

Career pathways

Career opportunities

A Master of Sacred Theology can lead to careers in religious education (with additional training), academia, writing, communications, advertising, ministry, pastoral counselling, Church leadership roles, spiritual direction, or research.

Course structure

Program summary

As an advanced degree in theology, the Master of Sacred Theology includes higher-level coursework and research training. The program is taken with a specialisation, usually in Sacred Scripture or Dogmatic Theology.

To be eligible for the award of Master of Sacred Theology students must complete a minimum of 400 Units of Credit chosen from the courses listed in Appendix C comprising:

  • 100 units of credit from four (4) courses in discipline of specialisation
  • 50 units of credit from two (2) courses outside discipline of specialisation
  • 50 units of credit from two (2) courses in or outside discipline of specialisation
  • 25 units of credit from one (1) course in research methods and thesis proposal
  • 175 units of credit in one researched thesis of 25,000-30,000 words.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

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