BCV is approved by the Australian College of Theology to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate courses. The regulations for each of these awards as found later in this manual including entry requirements apply equally to Distance students. In terms of distance learning, the following options are offered –
A distance student may complete the full Associate Degree, Bachelor of Ministries by distance and the Bachelor of Christian Studies and one-third of the Bachelor of Theology. Those two degrees will then normally be completed on campus (either full or part-time). Any request for special consideration in this respect needs to be put in writing to the Director of Distance Learning and the matter will be dealt with by the Board of Studies.
The entire Grad Cert and both Grad.Dips may be completed by distance, though the range of subjects offered by distance may not be as extensive as those offered on campus. Grad Dip of Bible and Ministry students may apply to continue on to the Master of Divinity and Grad Dip of Christian Studies may apply to continue on to the Master of Arts (Christian Studies) on campus.
* Further Note on Greek Study
As part of the award structure, the B.Th and M.Div require the taking of the subject New Testament Greek, and the subsequent utilisation of Greek in NT exegesis subjects. The distance program at this point is only geared for English exegesis students. Thus B.Th. and M.Div candidates will probably complete their NT exegesis requirements as part of their on-campus study. As far as the learning of NT Greek (and Introduction to Greek for B.Min students) itself is concerned, this is ideally done in a classroom environment. The learning of any language is challenging, but even more so via distance! The distance student does not have peer support, cannot participate in class discussion (where often the questions asked relate to all), needs an iron-willed discipline to keep to schedule, and is more reliant on visual learning rather than oral. These challenges are not insurmountable, but need to be faced honestly. Consequently Greek is only offered via distance in exceptional circumstances.
Students will need to refer to the relevant sections from this manual for a detailed explanation of the structure of the above courses. Because BCV is committed to ministry excellence and spiritual formation, all students are encouraged to pay attention to their own personal and ministry development. All ACT BMin students are required to participate in Supervised Experience Based Learning (SEBL) for the duration of their studies. Distance students can do this in their own location. SEBL is a supervised ministry situation of three to four hours per week and personal development is a spiritual goal setting exercise done in conjunction with a mentor or cell/support group. In the future all students will be required to take SEBL with a discipleship training component incorporated in it but this option is not available yet in 2005. Personal and ministry development requirements of SEBL are arranged through the Assistant Dean of Students at BCV. Contact the distance learning staff for more information.
Assessment will vary from subject to subject, but the following will act as a guide:
These exercises are short questions at the end of each lesson designed to stimulate either academic or personal reflection. They are submitted via e-mail to a designated e-coach who will provide feedback and monitor progress.
A substantial piece of research writing (2000-3000 words) on a set topic (choices are normally provided). Students must follow the BCV Guide to Essay Writing, which will be included on every CD. In terms of resources for the essay, some scanned material will be provided on the CD, but obviously there are limitations with this. In addition, because we believe that part of the education process is to teach valuable research skills, distance students will need to supplement the given material by additional reading from textbooks or other material on the main bibliography. (see below on Library/ Learning Resources).
Not all subjects have an examination, but where one is prescribed distance students will be required to nominate an appropriate supervisor to whom the exam will be sent at the appropriate time. This supervisor will be a pastor, or some other person of standing in the community (not friends and relatives).
Distance students taking the BMin are able to gain credit towards their award for certain ministry exposure situations. All the Field Education subjects are open to BMin students.
This “hands on” subject takes you into a ministry situation across cultural boundaries for either four weeks residence and ministry observation in an unfamiliar culture OR not less than 50 hours of Christian ministry with people of another culture in Australia. You organise your orientation and field supervisor, write a 2000 word reflection and report, and debrief with one of the BCV faculty.
There are a range of Field Education subjects that provide a very flexible opportunity for students to design a customised in-ministry training experience involving a concentrated and supervised process of action-reflection. Field Education focuses on an endorsed field of practical ministry in churches and approved organisations, and is normally taken together with a part-time load of other subjects. Students are mentored by well qualified and experienced practitioners. They are normally undertaken towards the end of an award. The following Field Education units are available:
PC442 Congregational Field Education
PC443 Pastoral Care Field Education
PC444 Practical Ministry Field Education
PC446 Lay Ministry Field Education
The Centre for Distance Learning will handle initial inquiries regarding these subject options, but you will be referred to the responsible faculty member for further assistance.
Distance students residing in Australia will have remote access to the BCV library, but internet access is required for this. Books that are not on reserve may be borrowed for a total period of two weeks (including postage time). BCV will pay the outward postage costs and the student the return costs. Prompt return of books is essential and conditional for continuing borrowing rights. A request to borrow library books must be forwarded by e-mail to the librarian (mailto:library@bcv.vic.edu.au).
Distance students are encouraged to find additional avenues for study resources. BCV will attempt to provide you with a list of theological libraries in your vicinity. Other options include pastor’s libraries and internet resources.
Subjects have textbook requirements stipulated on the CD. Students are required to purchase these texts. In addition, other highly recommended books are suggested. All these should be available from the BCV bookshop and can be ordered by e-mailing the distance learning staff.
Students normally commence distance subjects in line with the on-campus academic calendar (mid February, mid July), and conclude within that semester. Deadlines are advised on the CD. Students must complete subjects in the semester for which they are enrolled. Any request for extension will only be given in exceptional circumstances, and must be made in writing on the appropriate form to the Board of Studies.
Each subject taken normally requires on average 8-10 hours per week for study and assignments. Obviously this will vary from student to student and is offered as a guide only.
The distance material requires the following:
- IBM compatible Pentium computer with CD-ROM drive (Mac users please
contact the distance staff for advice)
- Windows 95 or above
- Internet Explorer (5.0 or later)
- E-mail access
- Preferably internet access (for library catalogue and other resource links)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
Internet Explorer 5.0 and Adobe Acrobat are included on the CD for you to download if required.
The CD is set with an automatic start, which will give you a welcome page. If this fails to operate, open windows explorer, click on D: drive, then open the main folder (i.e. that is named according to the subject you are studying) and open the file default.htm or index.htm. If there is still a problem, contact the distance office (see contact details below).
The material has been written using Arial as the default font. You may need to adjust your browser settings accordingly, otherwise the formatting of the page may be a little different (in Internet Explorer click Tools, Internet Options, General and hit the Font button – then change the left hand box to Arial)
BCV is committed to the on-going support of its distance students. After acceptance of the application the student will be contacted by a Distance Learning staff member, or a graduate student, who will act as the subject advisor. This person will provide or arrange feedback on all submitted work, facilitate contact should it be required with the lecturer responsible for a given subject, and be available to answer questions as they arise.