Master of Theology

The MTh is a research masters degree with study and research to be undertaken normally in one field of specialisation within the department of Bible and Language or Christian Thought or Ministry and Practice. The Course is designed for students who have demonstrated the capacity for research at this level either in their Bachelors Honours program, or at coursework masters level in the M.A. (Theol.) or under certain conditions the M.A. (Chr. Stud.). The MTh is intended for scholars preparing for research at Doctoral level; teachers in theological and Bible colleges engaged in the teaching of undergraduate theological courses and at coursework masters level.

Admission requirements

The following people may become candidates for the MTh:

• Graduates of the four year B.Th. Honours I, IIA or IIB
• Master of Divinity graduates with a GPA of 2.8 overall and a distinction in the 8 cp project, as long as the sponsoring college is satisfied that the applicant has the potential to write an extended piece of research.
• Master of Arts in Theology graduates on condition that they achieved a GPA of 2.0 overall and a credit grade in the 16 cp project. Under certain circumstances entry to the M.Th. may be allowed M.A. (Min.) graduates, although many of these articulate more easily into Doctor of Ministry Programs. M.A. (Min.) graduates seeking entry to the M.Th. must have completed the biblical language requirements for entry to the B.Th. Honours course (i.e., at least 8 cps in either Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek and at least 8 cps of biblical language exegesis in their initial theology degree) unless it can be demonstrated that their research topic, say involving human research, does not depend upon such exegetical skills.
• Fast Track Entry: Students who achieve a GPA of 2.8 over the course of the first two subjects in the M.A. (Theol.) degree in addition to a distinction grade in the project of 16 cps may upgrade to the M.Th. with the approval of the Graduate Research Awards Board.
•  Further requirements: BCV will normally only accept into to its M.Th. program candidates living in or around Melbourne, and who can participate fully in its Postgraduate Seminar. If country or interstate candidates are accepted, this will be on the understanding that they will make at least one visit to Melbourne each semester to meet with their supervisors and if space permits, to present a paper to the Postgraduate Seminar. Such candidates must have access to email.

Course Structure

Duration of course: minimum time of candidature is two years, maximum time is five years.

There are three different ways of completing this award:

• 50,000 word thesis (worth 64 cps)
• coursework of two 8 cp individual study 700 level subjects followed by a 35,000 word thesis (worth 48 cps);
• two research papers of 8,000 words each, followed by a 35,000 word thesis (worth 48 cps).

Back to Postgraduate Research Page