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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Master of Theology

  • Masters (Coursework)

The Master of Theology is an advanced degree designed for individuals with a strong foundation in theology or divinity, offering three specialized streams: Advanced Research, Pastoral Studies, and General Studies. It provides opportunities for further academic study, practical ministry, or broad theological exploration.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
1.5 - 5 semesters full-time
Course Code
5164
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Jan, Feb

About this course

Overview

Do you have a bachelor's degree in theology or divinity - of high standing - and the desire to go deeper in your studies? If so, the Master of Theology may be the program for you. This advanced degree seeks to build upon the foundations gained via undergraduate studies in theology, allowing students to extend their knowledge and skills through one of its three streams.

The Master of Theology is an 18-month full-time (or equivalent part-time) advanced degree in theology that allows studies to tailor their learning by choosing from one of the three study streams in the program. The Advanced (Research) stream prepares students for further study in theology. It involves advanced coursework and a thesis and can prepare students for teaching theology and for a Higher Degree by Research (ThD or PhD) in theology. The Pastoral Studies, or Practice of Ministry Stream, enables those who have completed the Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry to extend their learning into the master's level. This pathway includes advanced coursework and a research component. The General Studies Stream caters to those who want to expand their knowledge via a broad selection of advanced coursework without a major research component.

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:

  • Advanced (Research) Stream: AQF7 in theology or MDiv. GPA of 2.5 overall, with WAM of at least 70% (Distinction, on UNDA scale, or equivalent) in the intended field of research across at least 100 credits in that discipline.
  • Practice of Ministry Stream: AQF7 in Theology or MDiv with 2.0GPA and the Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry with at least a Credit or better in all courses
  • General Studies Stream: AQF7 in theology or MDiv. At minimum of 2.0 GPA.
  • 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

  • Apply focused knowledge of Catholic theology, achieved through detailed study of one of the theological disciplines or the Practice of Ministry, or extended knowledge across the range of theological disciplines
  • Apply theological perspectives, methods, and research principles, evident in honed cognitive and technical skills, applied in the light of Catholic faith, in one of the theological disciplines, the Practice of Ministry or across the range of theological disciplines
  • Analyse and synthesise complex information, methods, and theories in a manner that demonstrates advanced theological and/or ministerial competence, while applying cognitive, technical, and creative skills
  • Communicate complex theological and pastoral positions, in a succinct, contextualised and doctrinally coherent way, to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and
  • Adapt their knowledge and skills to act with competence, creativity, autonomy, and ethical responsibility in their Christian living in the world and/or Ministry in the Church.

Career pathways

Career opportunities

A Master of Theology can lead to careers in religious education (with additional training), chaplaincy (hospitals, prisons, schools, defence), academia, writing, communications, advertising, ministry, pastoral counselling, spiritual direction, youth work, or research.

Course structure

Program summary

Advanced (Research) Stream (may not be offered in all disciplines) (300 credit points)

  • At least two 6000 level courses in discipline of research (50 units of credit)
  • Level 5300 courses in the discipline, in consultation with the Academic Dean at CIS, providing no equivalents have been undertaken in prior studies (max 75 units of credit).
  • Up to two 6000 or 5200 or 5300 level electives outside the discipline but pertinent to the thesis topic chosen in consultation with the CIS Academic Dean (max 50 units of credit)
  • Level 5000 language courses, relevant to the thesis topic may be chosen, in consultation with the Academic Dean at CIS (max 50 units of credit), providing no equivalent has been previously studied

Research component

  • CISR6300 Research Training and Thesis Proposal (25 units of credit) AND CISR6310 Supervised thesis (75 units of credit) 15,000 words

Practice of Ministry Stream (200 credit points)

  • Ministry Studies courses (5000 or 6000 level) where equivalent has not previously been taken (at least 50 units of credit)
  • Other relevant level 5000 or 6000 courses (e.g., Spirituality or Pastoral Theology), in consultation with the CIS Academic Dean, where no prior equivalent has been studied

Research component

  • CISR6210 (50 units of credit); OR
  • CISR6300 Research Training and Thesis Proposal (25 units of credit) AND CISR6310 Supervised thesis (75 units of credit) 15,000 words

General Studies Stream (300 credit points)

  • 6000 level courses in any discipline may be pursued (up to 275 units of credit depending on research option chosen)
  • A student may substitute up to 100 units of credit at 5300 level, or level 5000 language courses (50 credit points maximum), if equivalents not previously taken, subject to consultation with the CIS Academic Dean

Research component

  • Research Project (CISR6200 (25 units of credit) OR CISR6210 (50 units of credit))

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Humanities, Culture & Social Sciences courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
77.8%
Overall satisfaction
74.1%
Skill scale
84.6%
Teaching scale
97.4%
Employed full-time
Data source

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