BACHELOR OF MINISTRY
The Bachelor of Ministry (conferred by the Australian University of Theology) is intended to equip students with the necessary biblical, theological and practical skills necessary for Christian ministry or further academic study.
The Bachelor of Theology introduces students to the sources and content of the Christian story and message, and provides training which emphasizes application and articulation of this story and message in the contemporary world. Emphases of the Bachelor of Ministry are similar yet with greater focus on practice. They are three year full-time (or equivalent) courses, though students who complete a fourth year of study may receive the BTh-BMin double degree.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discipline Knowledge and Understanding
1. Demonstrate functional knowledge of ‘Ministry’ as an academic discipline with particular attention to at least two fields of ‘Ministry and Practice’, including the spiritual and ethical implications
2. Examine the biblical and theological foundations of Ministry
3. Discuss the functional theological, spiritual and ethical implications of Ministry knowledge and understanding
Inquiry and Analysis
4. Collect, analyse, evaluate and synthesize a wide range of recognized biblical, theological and social scientific scholarship in inquiry based learning
Problem Solving and Integration
5. Construct evidence-based perspectives on Ministry issues by using recognized source materials and scholarly literature, evaluating alternate explanations and drawing reasoned conclusions
Communication
6. Present functional Ministry ideas, knowledge and principles to, and engage with, specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of formats
Teamwork and Professional Practice
7. As leader and in groups, apply the functional principles and methods of Ministry in formal ministry contexts and the wider community
Engagement With the World
8. Engage with the functional challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world
Continuous Learning and Professional Development
9. Demonstrate a capacity for independent reflection and learning to sustain personal and professional development in Christian ministry
COURSE CONTENT
Like the Bachelor of Theology, the Bachelor of Ministry comprises 24 units of study (288 credit points).
The core units in the RTC’s Bachelor of Theology program are:
- Old Testament Introduction—24 cps, OT001-512, OT002-512
- New Testament Introduction—24 cps, NT001-512, NT002-512
- Christianity in History—24 cps
- Theology—24 cps
- Theology or Philosophy and Ethics—12 cps
- OT/NT Set Books – 36 cps (with a minimum of 12 cps from Old Testament and New Testament each)
In addition students must complete:
- 72 cps in Pastoral and Church-Focussed Ministry, Evangelism and Missiology, or Development Ministry
- 72 cps from any field of study
Certain advanced level units may only be taken when the pre-requisite units have been completed or when co-requisite units are taken concurrently. Individual unit syllabi should be consulted for further information.
Units in this course are completed at Level 5 and above, including no more than 144cps at Level 5, and including at least 72cps at Level 7 or above.
REGULATIONS
- Students may not enrol in more than 60 cps per semester
- Greek or Hebrew exegesis units require the completion of the relevant 24 cp of Hebrew or Greek language units
Course design can be complicated and should be undertaken in consultation with the RTC registrar.
The Bachelor of Ministry a course of the Australian College of Theology
STUDY OPTIONS
RTC has some great flexible study options to suit all students wanting to commence study in Semester 1, 2025. From on campus in the Melbourne CBD to the comfort of your own home via distance and online subjects.
Check out the various study options available at the RTC in Semester 1, 2025, starting Monday, 17th February.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
ATAR: Completion of Year 12 in the last two years, with an ATAR of 65 or above; OR
Previous Qualifications: Successful completion of a qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; OR
Demonstrate Academic Suitability for course: Test, Brief Essay, or Interview.
Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in each subtest OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.
FEES
Domestic Students: $11,136 per semester for full-time (48cp) (2024 course fees and credit points).
International Students: $13,000 AUD per semester. If you require accommodation at Barkley Hall, you will require a further $7,000 AUD per semester. The RTC is presently unable to offer scholarships or financial assistance to overseas students. Find out more about fees and applications for oversees students here.
RTC is an Affiliated College of the Australian College of Theology. The tuition fees are set by ACT on an annual basis. Tuition fees are outlined below. FEE-HELP loans are available to eligible students to fund the tuition fees for all accredited courses.
FEE-HELP loans are not available for the Certificate in Theology, the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or units studied under Single Unit Study mode.
The 2025 Fee Schedule is available for download here.
ENROLLMENTS
Australian & New Zealand Students
Enrolling at RTC is easy. Prospective students will need to complete an Application Form. This can be done online by clicking the link below, or by completing a printable form and either submitting it electronically or by post.
Once you have submitted your application form you will receive an immediate confirmation of receipt of the form. It will then take approximately 48 hours to process your application.
As well as submitting an application form, prospective students should make an appointment to meet with the registrar (Paul Lucas) to discuss their proposed course. Paul can be contacted on (03) 5244 8600.
The RTC has two academic semesters per year; the first runs from February to June, and the second from July to November. Applicants will need to enrol at the beginning of each semester and once successful will need to make arrangements for paying the prescribed fees.
The application form can be submitted online.
A printable application form (see below) may also be completed and submitted electronically or at the RTC. For more information regarding digital signatures, see here.
International Students
The Reformed Theological College (RTC) welcomes applications from overseas students. Along with the general admission procedures that apply to Australian students, there are certain requirements that overseas students must meet before being accepted for study. You will need to:
- show evidence of educational qualifications or work experience and means of financial support
- provide two recommendations from your home country (one of these should have had experience of your involvement in the life and ministry of a church), and
- demonstrate a proficiency in written and spoken English*
The Reformed Theological College is approved to deliver the following courses of the Australian College of Theology (CRICOS 02650E), which is the official “Higher Education Provider” for overseas students at the Reformed Theological College:
- Diploma of Theology (CRICOS 054649A)
- Diploma of Ministry (CRICOS 054659K)
- Diploma of Theology/Ministry (CRICOS 086267F)
- Bachelor of Theology (CRICOS 054676J)
- Bachelor of Ministry (CRICOS 054670D)
- Bachelor of Theology/Ministry (CRICOS 086274G)
- Graduate Certificate of Divinity (CRICOS 076017G)
- Graduate Diploma of Divinity (CRICOS 054685G)
- Master of Divinity (CRICOS 054688E)
More information concerning the process for enrolment may be found at the Australian College of Theology’s Overseas Student page.
Please consult the Australian Government Immigration website for additional Visa and immigration information; note especially the regulations concerning Student Visas. To study at RTC, you will need a Student Visa Subclass 500. You are unable to apply for this Visa until we have accepted you as a student and supplied you with an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
Please note that the Visa approval process is controlled by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, not the RTC. If you are a citizen of New Zealand, you will not require a Student Visa to study in Australia, and technically you would not be an Overseas Student.
Overseas students may access student support services that are broadly available to all RTC students.
Please also know that the RTC may not admit an overseas student in the first six months of a registered course from another provider, except where expressly permitted. For more information, please review the Australian College of Theology’s Overseas Students Release and Transfer Policy.
APPLY NOW:
Prospective students will need to complete an Application Form. Australian and New Zealand students can apply online. RTC also welcomes applications from overseas students. Please review admission requirements and other information in the Australian University of Theology’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.