Master of Leadership

CRICOS 107376A

About this course

The Master of Leadership is designed for those possessing a Graduate Certificate in the field of philosophy and studies in religion who wish to pursue a further qualification in an area of leadership focus as part of their continuing education for ministry. 

The Master of Leadership focusses on building leadership capacity for people involved in a wide scope of religious, non-profit, community-focused enterprises. Students may be working for denominationally based organisations in education, welfare, aged care, local church or other ministries requiring specific leadership training for ministry or mission. 

Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills for further learning in professional practice and research and the ability to apply such knowledge and skills in a ministry leadership-related area leadership to their theological education to enhance their work in the religious sector.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 9

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Planetshakers College
  • VIC
  • Domestic
  • International
St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Master of Leadership requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of an AQF Level 8 award in the field of philosophy and religious studies (Australian Standard Classification of Education field 0917 – Philosophy and Religious Studies) from an institution recognised by Academic Board; OR
  • Satisfactory completion of an award from a university or other tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the Student Support and Administration Committee as equivalent to such an award; AND Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.
  • Desirable but not mandatory – at least two years’ experience in a leadership role in an area aligned with the course’s focus, for example: church leadership, educational leadership within a religious school, ministry, and social services provided by a religious organisation.

 

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 at least 7.0 with no subtest below 6.5.

The Master of Leadership requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) from 8100 and 9200 series units in the Australian University College of Divinity Schedule of Units of Study.

 

The eight units shall include:

Two compulsory units (18 credit points)

  • P8155 Foundations of Christian Leadership and
  • P8107 Non-Profit Governance for Ministry;

 

Three specified electives (27 credit points) taken from Schedule A;

 

One specified elective (9 or 18 credit points) focused on leadership practice in the context of a place of work, ministry or mission through research, self-guided study, or field study (this may be a capstone unit, research project, research essay, independent guided study, site visit, field placement or action research project) from Schedule B below;

 

Further elective units (up to 36 credit points) from the 8100 and 9200 series in the Australian University College of Divinity Schedule of Units.

 

If either of the two compulsory units have been completed in the award used for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Leadership, they are to be replaced with one or two elective units respectively.

 

The program must include at least two 9200-series units.

 

A specialisation comprises 4 – 6 units (54 credit points), including at least two 9200 level units.

 

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

 

Units from the entry Graduate Certificate (or Graduate Diploma), if equivalent to units required for the award, may be considered for inclusion as core units and in the forming of any specialisation (54 credit points, including at least two 9200 level units) or sub-specialisation (36 credit points) within the Master of Leadership.

 

Candidates who have previously studied in an award of the University College, may not enrol in units with content similar to those covered in their previous studies.

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Specified Electives (THREE to be chosen)

  • C8103 Psychology and Leadership
  • C8166 Well-being and Resilience for People Helpers
  • P8106 Administrative Gifts for Ministry
  • P8108 Financial Management for Ministry
  • P8132 Framework for Church Planting
  • P8156 Professional Coaching Practice 1
  • P8157 Professional Coaching Practice 2
  • P8158 Working in a Ministry Team Setting
  • P8161 Developing Ministry Leaders
  • P8162 Administrative Leadership and Management for Ministry
  • P8163 Spiritual Leadership
  • P8172 Practice of Pastoral Supervision
  • S8101 Formation in Christian Leadership
  • S8103 Personal Transformation
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Positive Psychology
  • E9271 Business and Professional Ethics
  • P9221 Managing Crisis in Ministry
  • P9222 Change Management for Ministry
  • P9258 Strategic Thinking and Decision Making
  • P9259 Leading the Larger Church
  • P9260 Personal Growth for Leadership
  • P9261 Transformational Leadership in Ministry
  • P9279 Human Resources and Organisational Culture in Non-profit Settings
  • S9262 Leadership and Spiritual Discernment

 

SCHEDULE B

 

Specified electives focused upon Leadership Practice (ONE to be chosen)

 

Units focused on leadership practice in the context of a place of work, ministry

or mission through research, self-guided study, or field study:

  • M8128 Engaging in Inter-Cultural Ministry (9 credit points)
  • X8194 Fieldwork in [discipline] (9 credit points)
  • X9290 Capstone Unit in [discipline] (9 credit points)
  • X9292 Seminar in [Topic] (9 credit points)
  • X9293 Minor Independent Guided Study (9 credit points)
  • X9294 Major Independent Guided Study (18 credit points)
  • X9295 Action Research Project (18 credit points)
  • X9296 Minor Research Project (9 credit points)
  • X9297 Major Research Project (18 credit points)
  • X9298 Minor Research Essay (18 credit points)
Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge related to the practice of leadership particular to the management and governance of a complex religious, non-profit, ministry enterprise;
  • an expert understanding of the principles of inquiry and methods applicable to leadership theory and their application to real-world ministry practice.

 

Skills

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

  • analyse critically, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with leadership in a ministry related context;
  • implement with discrimination established leadership theories to provide solutions for the effective governance, management and operations of a religious, non-profit, community organisation;
  • interpret and transmit transferable knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained leadership 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 initiative, autonomy, well-developed judgment, adaptability, and responsibility as leaders in religious, not-for-profit, community-focused enterprises;
  • plan and execute an advanced research or field-based project in an area of work-based leadership.

 

Exit Points

Candidates enrolled in the Master of Leadership may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Leadership (36 credit points).

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 18 credit points in the Master of Leadership.

 

Credit can only be granted for units that are from an equivalent award or institution and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the Australian University College of Divinity award.

 

Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application.

The Master of Leadership 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 all 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