Master of Arts (Christian Studies)

The Master of Arts (Christian Studies) at the Australian University of Theology Limited is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to study Christian thought and practice at an advanced level. It suits graduates from theology, ministry, education, counselling, or any other field who want to go deeper into the Christian tradition. You might be preparing for ordained or lay ministry, teaching religious education, chaplaincy, or further research. Some students come in with a bachelor's degree in something else entirely and use this as their theological grounding. The course sits at AQF Level 9, so it assumes you can read, write, and argue at a postgraduate level already.

What you study

The degree is built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You will typically take core units in biblical studies, Christian theology, church history, and ethics, then choose electives that match your interests, pastoral care, worship, mission, or biblical languages, depending on what the university offers in a given trimester. Most Australian master's degrees run on a semester or trimester calendar, and this one is no different. Full-time study over two years usually means eight units a year, with each unit involving lectures, tutorials, readings, and written assessment. Part-time study is common, especially for people already working in churches, schools, or community organisations.

Many students finish with a capstone project or a research thesis instead of coursework only. That could be a supervised research paper on a theological question, a ministry project with a written analysis, or a longer thesis if you are thinking about doctoral study later. The university may also offer professional placement or fieldwork units, particularly for students heading into chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, or religious education. Placement usually happens in a church, school, hospital, or community setting, with a supervisor and academic reflection attached. Confirm the exact structure, unit list, and placement options on the official page, because they can change between trimesters.

Skills you gain

You learn to read the Bible and theological texts closely, weigh different interpretations, and write clearly about complex ideas. You practise pastoral listening, ethical reasoning, and the kind of public communication that works in a congregation or a classroom. Research units teach you to design a question, gather sources, and argue a case, skills that carry into further study or professional work. Group work and placement build the teamwork and reflective practice that ministry and chaplaincy demand.

Who it suits

This degree fits people who already have a bachelor's degree and want a recognised postgraduate qualification in Christian studies. That includes ministers and lay leaders, school teachers who want to specialise in religious education, chaplains in hospitals or defence, and people considering a research career in theology. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the university's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, though some fields ask for higher. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. While studying, a Student visa usually allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm fees, intake dates, and English requirements on the official page before you apply.

• Ordained or lay ministry in churches and faith communities
• Chaplaincy in hospitals, aged care, schools, defence, and prisons
• Religious education teacher or coordinator in Catholic and independent schools
• Pastoral care worker in community organisations and welfare agencies
• Church administrator or mission coordinator
• Writer or editor for religious publishers, denominational media, or faith-based NGOs
• Further study: PhD or Doctor of Ministry, leading to academic or research roles
• Community services and not-for-profit sector, particularly in faith-based organisations