Bachelor of Theology

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Theology aims to deepen students' faith understanding in whatever context they live or work.

Students complete a combination of core and elective subjects, covering Biblical Studies (including Biblical languages), Church History, Practical Theology and Systematic Theology. Students looking to ordination or professional ministry will find offerings that are vocationally oriented, ecumenically sensitive and integrated with practical experience. However, the degree also provides students with a wide range of skills that are applicable in a variety of professions or complement studies in another discipline. The program aims to:

• provide broad-based knowledge and critical skills in the four classic sub-disciplines of theology as a contribution to liberal education
• provide students with a rich learning experience that is attentive to student needs from transition to tertiary study to successful progression towards graduation and beyond
• provide students with a well-designed curriculum structured to embody a classic theological framework and to reflect the inherent dynamic of context
• provide students with a theological and ethical framework for critical and constructive engagement in the social institutions within which they participate
• encourage and foster the search for meaning and spiritual depth in the context of cultural and religious pluralism in contemporary Australia
• prepare people for leadership in the life and work of the church
• offer opportunities for the study of theology as an integral part of studies in other disciplines at undergraduate level
• provide access to tertiary level study in theology by flexible delivery both across Australia and internationally
• provide pathways for further studies in theology at both postgraduate and higher degree by research levels.

Students in the Bachelor of Theology benefit from:

• supported transition and an enriched undergraduate student experience
• development of employability and generic skills, such as communication, analysis and critical judgement, as well as building problem-solving and time management skills
• opportunities to gain international experiences and perspectives
• engaging with the social responsibilities of global citizenship
• opportunities to develop cultural competence and engage with Indigenous concepts
• developing and understanding of financial, social and economic sustainability
• developing an ethical understanding
• education based in practice, either through subjects with a practical focus, or where materials are related back to professional contexts
• fostering web-based proficiency through a broad range of online resources, whether students are studying on campus or by distance education.

The Bachelor of Theology features a flexible enrolment pattern, catering for the needs of distance education students, as well as a broad range of subject choices. The degree also offers flexible exit points. All students enrol in the Bachelor of Theology, but may choose to exit after completing four core subjects and four electives (64 points) with the Diploma of Theology, or after 10 core subjects and six electives (128 points) with the Associate Degree in Theology.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.