Course Overview

About This Course

The Master of Ministry (MMin) is a professional graduate program designed for those who have a degree in another discipline and who have felt the call of God to be ministers of the Gospel. The Master of Ministry is designed to prepare students to serve as ministers in the church and wider community. The MMin integrates deep Biblical knowledge with practical experience to equip men and women with the knowledge and skills needed to build a strong church and community and strengthen ministry networks and contacts. Practical experience opportunities include church placements and an externship.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

An Australian Bachelor's degree or higher; or an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher.
In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
A satisfactory recommendation completed by the applicant's church pastor (Pastoral Recommendation Form).
Agree to abide by Avondale Seminary's Acceptance of the Code of Professional Ethics.
A National Police Check (issued within the last six months).
A current Working with Children Check (or equivalent) for the state/territory where students are living while studying.
Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) applicants must have been baptised for two years and provide evidence of their commitment to, and active involvement in their local church.
Applicants from other denominations must provide evidence of their commitment to, and active involvement in their local church.
From 2025, all incoming theology students will also be required to undertake psychological testing (at their own expense) as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
An AdSafe Certificate of Completion for Safe Churches must be obtained prior to Church Placement.
English language proficiency: achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no sub-band less than 6.0, or one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or documentary evidence of a prior qualification (or at least two years of tertiary study) conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country and completed within the last two years.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Men and women with a Master of Ministry will be equipped to serve as a: Church Pastor, Youth Pastor, Pastoral Educator, Evangelist, Church Planter. The MMin fulfills the Master's level pre-requisite required for those wishing to complete a Doctorate in Ministry. Seventh-day Adventist graduates of the MMin are eligible to begin a ministry internship in a local conference. After two years of internship, their progress is reviewed to determine if they are ready for a ministerial or commissioned licence. A further three or more years of satisfactory ministry practice is necessary before they can be considered for ordination or commissioning and a full ministerial / commissioned credential is issued.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian College of Theology (ACT) / relevant denominational body

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

VETASSESS

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units16 units

BBNT46110

Greek

BBNT56130

Gospels of Matthew & John

BBOT46110

Pentateuch in Context

BBBI56110

Daniel & the Apocalypses

BBNT56120

New Testament Epistles

THEO46110

Theology & Belief

THEO56140

Eschatology & Salvation

THEO56120

Adventist Heritage

THEO56150

Ecclesiology & Doctrine of the Sabbath

THEO46230

Church History

CHMN56150

World Mission & Evangelism

CHMN46160

Family Systems in Ministry

CHMN46110

Church & Ministry

CHMN56140

Biblical Preaching

CHMN46130

Personal Evangelism & Discipleship

CHMN56180

Pastoral Leadership & Church Management

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study the Master of Ministry online or do I need to attend campus?

The MMin can be studied on campus or online, providing students with the flexibility to balance study with work and family commitments. The course is located at Lake Macquarie and is also available off campus.

What practical experience will I gain during the Master of Ministry?

Students experience two types of supervised field education: Placements, where students are on placement for 4 hours/week for 10 consecutive weeks in a local church or school under the supervision of a pastoral mentor; and Externships, where students are immersed in an evangelistic context for 10 consecutive days, inclusive of two weekends. All Church Ministry (CHMN) coded units are associated with a form of work integrated learning referred to as supervised field education.

What are the additional entry requirements beyond a bachelor's degree?

In addition to holding an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher, applicants must provide a satisfactory pastoral recommendation, agree to Avondale Seminary's Code of Professional Ethics, submit a National Police Check (issued within the last six months), hold a current Working with Children Check, and provide evidence of church commitment. SDA applicants must also have been baptised for two years. From 2025, all incoming theology students are also required to undertake psychological testing at their own expense.

How many units are required to complete the Master of Ministry and how long does it take?

The Master of Ministry consists of 16 units and requires 96 credit points for completion. All units are worth six credit points unless otherwise stated. Students complete four units in each of four semesters in a full-time program, making it a 2-year full-time course. The maximum time to complete the course is eight years.

What career pathways are available after completing the Master of Ministry?

Graduates are equipped to serve as a Church Pastor, Youth Pastor, Pastoral Educator, Evangelist, or Church Planter. Seventh-day Adventist graduates are eligible to begin a ministry internship in a local conference, with the pathway leading to a ministerial or commissioned licence after two years and potential ordination after a further three or more years of satisfactory practice. The MMin also fulfills the Master's level pre-requisite required for those wishing to complete a Doctorate in Ministry.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

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