Graduate Diploma of Church Planting

About this course

The Graduate Diploma of Church Planting is designed for those possessing a three-year undergraduate degree in any field who wish to acquire transferable knowledge and skills in Church Planting as part of their continuing professional development for employment and further learning. 

The Graduate Diploma of Church Planting focuses on building capacity for people involved in the development of new churches. 

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 credit points (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 8

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Graduate Diploma of Church Planting requires:

  • Satisfactorily completed an AQF 7 award or equivalent in any discipline (or equivalent) from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; OR
  • qualify for professional or special entry in accordance with the AUCD Enrolment Policy; AND
  • Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 with no score less than 6.5 in all bands of the test.

The Graduate Diploma of Church Planting requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) which shall include:

  • at least 36 credit points of Specified Electives chosen from Schedule 1; AND
  • at least 18 credit points of Specified Electives chosen from Schedule 2; AND
  • at least 9 credit points of Specified Electives from B8100 or T8100 units; AND
  • a further 9 credit point Elective from the accredited units of the AUCD at levels 8 or 9 to complete the award if required.

 

The Graduate Diploma of Church Planting may be taken with a specialisation. A specialisation comprises 4 units (36 cps).

 

Units coded “A” are not counted towards a specialisation in any discipline or subdiscipline.

 

SCHEDULES

 

SCHEDULE 1 

  • M8132 Framework for Church Planting
  • M8134 Developing a Church Plant in Teams
  • M8193 or M9292 Seminar in Church Planting
  • M9235 Characteristics of Effective Church Planters
  • M9293 Minor Independent Guided Study in Mission
  • P9233 Church Planting Through Neighbourhood Engagement

 

SCHEDULE 2 

  • M8101 Missiological Hermeneutics and Contextualisation
  • M8109 Framework for Discipleship
  • M8110 Evangelising Mission Today
  • M8160 Gospel, Culture & Communication in Australia & New Zealand
  • P8104 Foundations of Theological Study
  • P8105 Foundations of Ethical Professional Practice
  • P8139 Community Development: Principles and Practice
  • P8145 Dynamics of Church and Ministry
  • P8158 Working in a Ministry Team Setting
  • P8159 Denominational Distinctives
  • P8163 Spiritual Leadership
  • P8171 Theory and Practice of Ministry I
  • P9288 Ministry Identity and Practice
  • P9272 Theory and Practice of Ministry II
  • S8101 Formation in Christian Leadership
  • S8103 Personal Transformation
Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an advanced level of theoretical and technical knowledge related to the practice of christian mission particular to the development of new churches;
  • an advanced understanding of the principles of inquiry and methods applicable to church planting theory and their application to real-world ministry practice.

 

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate advanced specialised cognitive and technical skills in church planting within a ministry-related body of knowledge, so that they are able to independently:

  • analyse critically, evaluate, and apply information to complete a range of activities in the context of a new church initiative;
  • analyse, generate and provide solutions to complex problems to guide the development of new churches;
  • transmit transferable church planting-related knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply transferable knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates autonomy, well-developed judgment, adaptability, and responsibility as leaders in the development of new churches;
  • plan and execute an advanced research or field-based project in an area of church planting.

 

The Unit Learning Outcomes of any units taken into the award contribute to the attainment of the Discipline Learning Outcomes and the Generic Learning Outcomes of the AQF level, as well as the Graduate Attributes of the Award.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Church Planting may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Church Planting provided they have met the requirements of the award.

Candidates from other institutions or with other awards may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Graduate Diploma of Church Planting.

 

Credit will be granted in accordance with the AUCD Credit Policy.

 

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who satisfactorily complete this award will be eligible to:

  • Be admitted with full credit to the AUCD Master of Church Planting on condition that the Graduate Diploma of Church planting will be surrendered prior to graduation in the further award.
  • articulate to other AUCD Graduate awards, provided that they meet the entry requirements of that award.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

The Graduate Diploma of Church Planting is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.

 

A domestic student at the Australian University College of Divinity is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester. AUCD offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering AUCD awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

International students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment of four units (36 credit points) per semester. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times. Learn more about your responsibilities, rights, and what studying in Australia can offer you. Not all our teaching institutions offer study programs for international students.

 

Check out the locations and courses offered to international students, and for more information email us at aucd@aucd.edu.au