Doctor of Ministry

Academic qualifications — applicants must hold one of the following:

• MTh; OR
• BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Credit in the thesis; OR
• BTh, BMin or BDiv plus a Graduate Diploma with an overall GPA ≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words; OR
• BTh, BMin or BDiv plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS), with an overall GPA ≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in the Field of Research; OR
• MDiv or MMin with an overall GPA ≥3.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in the Field of Research; OR
• MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with an overall GPA ≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in the Field of Research; OR
• MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with an overall GPA ≥3.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words; OR
• MPM with embedded Research Training Pathway, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods and Confirmation of Candidature and an overall GPA ≥2.0; OR
• Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Ministry study.

Ministry experience prerequisites:

• Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of significant contribution in their ministry context since completion of their first degree. Applications should include a curriculum vitae outlining roles undertaken, positions held, major goals and most significant achievements, and an annotated list of 10 books and/or articles that have informed their ministry.
• Applicants would normally currently be ministry practitioners in positions of significant ministry responsibility, aspiring to positions such as senior pastors, mission/denominational board representatives, tertiary educators, denominational leaders, church planters, mission directors, church consultants, department leaders, or senior or researcher positions in work contexts where a specific Christian reflection on their work would benefit their employing organisation.

Professional references:

• Applicants must submit a letter of commendation from their current employing organisation commenting on the character of the applicant and their capacity to contribute to their denomination, church or institutional employer. The letter must also provide evidence that the organisation understands the extent of the commitment required over the six years part-time or three years full-time of the degree and agrees to support the candidate to complete the course.

Admission rules:

• All candidates must use the required Doctor of Ministry application form.
• Applicants with external qualifications must submit original or certified copies of transcripts or certificates of all tertiary study completed in theology or ministry to the Research Committee, which will determine granting of candidature.
• The Doctor of Ministry is available to off-shore candidates who meet the additional criteria for off-shore study.

English language requirements:

• IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking. For further information, refer to the University’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

Additional conditions for international students:

• This course is registered on CRICOS and is available to overseas students at selected delivery locations only.
• Overseas students who are currently onshore are not eligible to enrol in AUT’s fully online courses.

The Doctor of Ministry is intended for, and prepares graduates for, roles including:

• Significant leadership positions in churches, denominational offices, para-church agencies and non-church agencies
• Leadership and research roles in institutions where insights from Christian traditions are applied to professional practice
• Teaching pastoral and mission courses in theological colleges, Bible colleges and seminaries in Australia and overseas
• Positions such as senior pastors, mission and denominational board representatives, tertiary educators, denominational leaders, church planters, mission directors, church consultants and department leaders