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- If you're curious about the origin,
nature and future role of religion in society,
then studying theology is for you.
Theology is for those with enquiring minds,
for those who are eager to examine the foundations
of Christian faith, and to explore its central teachings
and its relationship with the modern world.
- Theology is about seeking answers to life's big questions.
So when you study theology with us, you'll be exploring
some of humanity's fundamental questions of knowledge,
identity and value,
and you'll look to uncover
the meaning of faith seeking understanding,
a famous definition of theology.
- Whatever your career direction or personal path,
the study of theology
and the process of learning to think theologically
will challenge you to respond and to reflect
on the reasons that underpin your choices, your purpose,
your goals and the contribution you will make
to the world around you.
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- Why study theology at ACU?
Well, when you study theology at ACU
you'll be doing so in conversation
with world-leading teachers and researchers.
In fact, our research in the field of religion
and religious studies is ranked first in Australia,
and is rated above world standard.
You'll also be learning alongside peers
across each of our campuses nationally,
and gain access to an international community of academics
and a comprehensive network of partnerships.
As part of your course,
you'll even have the opportunity to study overseas
in some of the world's most sacred
and historically significant places,
including at our Rome Campus,
in Israel and in the Philippines.
At ACU, you'll be encouraged to engage with the questions
that frame our understanding of the world, and each other.
And you'll be challenged to examine,
respond to and reflect upon real world problems.
Studying theology will equip you with the ability
to critically examine complex issues,
contextualise different historical
and contemporary perspectives, and engage with
and articulate arguments from a range of viewpoints,
as well as enhance your writing
and independent research skills.
There is a growing demand across all industries
for the skills you will develop
by engaging with the discipline of theology,
such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving,
and the ability to be flexible
and adaptable to your environment.
These are all highly transferable skills
that can be applied across a diverse range of careers.
Examples of occupations and roles
taken up by our theology graduates include,
hospital, school and prison chaplains.
Ministers of religion, youth ministers, social workers,
pastoral associates, lay ministers,
community workers and advocates,
teachers, researchers, journalists and writers.
Finally, it's important to know that ACU graduates get jobs.
In Australia, we're first for graduate employment,
and second for graduate employer satisfaction.
We also rank in the top two percent
of universities worldwide.
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- We are committed to offering a distinctive perspective
on higher education,
one that will equip you with the skills and knowledge
to engage with the challenges of our contemporary world.
The learning opportunities we provide
are informed by constructively aligned
and innovative curriculum design,
as well as internationally recognised research expertise.
And all of our programs are delivered by leading scholars
who focus on facilitating engaging learning environments
designed to help you to achieve your learning goals.
We offer short courses, certificate and bachelor programs,
postgraduate coursework, professional and research degrees
and a wide range of professional development opportunities.
- At the undergraduate level,
the Bachelor of Theology is a degree
framed by the Catholic intellectual tradition.
The three-year program offers an introduction
to the breadth of contemporary theological study.
So you'll have the opportunity to explore study areas like,
systematic theology, ministry, liturgy, world religions,
biblical studies, ancient languages,
moral theology and philosophy.
You can elect to major in biblical studies,
Christian thought and philosophy,
as well as choose from minors
in ancient languages, biblical languages, Christian practice
and the increasingly popular study of religions.
One of the added benefits of this degree is its flexibility,
which gives you the option of undertaking electives
from across other discipline areas,
such as the arts and social sciences.
If you're looking to enhance your theology degree,
you may want to think about pairing it
with another specialization
in one of our four year double degrees.
These include,
the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Philosophy,
the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Laws,
and the Bachelor of Global Studies and Bachelor of Theology.
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- Our long-standing links with Catholic partners
around Australia provide you
with a wide range of opportunities for work placements,
community engagement projects and future employment.
Working with the community
is an important part of every degree at ACU.
You'll have the opportunity to engage,
volunteer and support people who are disadvantaged
or marginalised as part of our Core Curriculum.
This is a unique and crucial part
of our undergraduate courses
that connects classwork to community action,
and provides an invaluable learning experience
in service of the common good.
If you choose to pair your theology degree
with a Bachelor of Laws,
you will also complete 80 hours
of pro bono community legal engagement.
- We have a range of overseas opportunities
you can explore in the future.
Throughout the year,
we laid a number of faculty-based study tours.
Different study tours are announced annually,
with students offered opportunities
to travel to places like Rome, Israel,
the Middle East, Thailand and the Philippines.
Overseas study is embedded into your degree,
and you'll find that in the company of our leading scholars,
theology comes to life,
as you explore topics like archeology
and early Christianity, social justice and mission,
spirituality in the Catholic tradition
and the Gospel of Jesus in the Land of Jesus.
Study tours usually take place across two weeks
and can offer up to 20 credit points towards your degree.
- For postgraduate students who are studying wholly online,
our study tours offer invaluable opportunities
for face to face interaction with peers and teaching staff.
There are also many other opportunities
to study overseas with ACU,
including as part of our Core Curriculum in Rome,
New York, Leeds, Paris or Beijing.
Or if you are looking for a longer exchange,
you can apply to study for a semester or full year
at one of 80 universities in Asia, Europe, North America,
South America or Africa.
Keep in mind we offer many scholarships,
such as the New Colombo Plan,
as well as generous financial assistance
to help you get to where you want to go.
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- We know that everyone's circumstances are unique.
You might be thinking about coming to study with us
straight after high school,
or perhaps you're considering university
after a number of years away from formal study.
Maybe you're looking for a different direction
in your career, or to challenge yourself personally?
That's why at ACU we offer a range of entry
and pathway programs
that consider your personal circumstances,
as well as your achievements.
Pathways are extra qualifications or tests
that will help you meet the entry requirements.
Examples include partial or full completion
of a pathway certificate or diploma,
or an entry test.
Our certificates can be a pathway
into our bachelor programs.
The Certificate in Theology for example,
is a one year part-time program
that can provide credit towards the Bachelor of Theology,
and Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Philosophy.
An entry program is a way of boosting your chance
of success with your first application.
It's based on your personal background,
such as if you went to school in a regional area,
experienced financial hardship,
or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
We also offer programs for veterans
and elite athletes and performers.
As well as the ACU Guarantee program,
which is a way to secure your place at ACU
based on your Year 11 results.
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- We offer courses across a variety of modes,
from face-to-face to fully online,
and from intensive delivery to networked classrooms
that provide real-time interaction with peers and lecturers
from across our different campuses.
Learning and teaching is supported
with a range of resources, readings,
and activities designed to enable you
to achieve your desired learning outcomes.
Assessment tasks vary,
but you can anticipate two to three
formal assessment pieces per unit,
ranging from written assignments,
take-home exams, group presentations, quizzes,
and contributions to online forum discussions
with other members of your class.
- Class sizes also vary,
anywhere from 20 to 200 students in lectures,
but we keep our tutorial sizes small,
so you'll never be just a number.
We find the smaller class sizes encourage discussion
and debate, and make it easier to ask for help
when you need it.
While each semester and each course will be different,
you can expect to be in classes two to three days a week
if you're studying full-time,
plus study in your own time.
If you're studying part-time it will be more like
one or two days each week.
The number of days you spend on campus each week
will depend on how your units are timetabled.
Timetabling will change every semester,
but we've just introduced a new system
that will make it easier for you to secure
the classes that suit you best.
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- High-achieving students can progress to honors study
or a range of postgraduate coursework programs.
Our available coursework programs include,
the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies,
Graduate Certificate in Catholic Studies,
Graduate Certificate in Religious Education,
Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies,
Graduate Diploma in Supervision,
Master of Religious Education,
Master of Theological Studies,
Master of Spiritual Direction,
and Master of Professional Studies in Theology.
Our postgraduate coursework programs
are geared towards professionals,
leaders and aspiring leaders.
If you have relevant postgraduate qualifications
or recognised prior learning,
you may be granted advanced standing
or credit towards our masters programs.
Our graduate certificate
and Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies
provides both an entry and exit point
for the Master of Theological Studies.
And within the Master of Theological Studies,
we offer a range of specializations
including biblical and early Christian studies,
Christian practice, Christian thought, liturgy,
mission and ministry, philosophy and bioethics.
If you're a qualified primary or secondary school teacher
wanting to teach religion,
our Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
can provide you with the accreditation you need.
This graduate certificate is also an entry
and exit point for the Master of Religious Education,
a program for you if you're seeking a leadership role
in your school, parish or diocese.
If you're interested in our higher degree research programs,
we offer the, Bachelor of Theology, Honors,
the Master of Theology, Research,
the Master of Philosophy, MPhil,
and Doctor of Philosophy, PhD.
- Finally, we're proud of the difference
our postgraduate students make in the world.
They graduate as leaders who are equipped
with the skills to think theologically.
They are defined by a unique set of values
and an understanding of how high ethical standards
in decision-making have a positive impact
on organizational success, communities and society at large.
Thank you for joining us today.
Don't forget you can always find more information online,
at our events, in our course guides,
or by contacting AskACU.
Good luck with your journey to university,
we hope to welcome you to ACU soon.
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