Doctor of Philosophy

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  • 3
    Years Full Time
  • 288
    Credit Points
  • Payments Centrelink Approved
  • 6
    Max Years Part Time
  • Online Course
  • Overseas Students
    Cricos code: 076015J (English)

Rationale

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to equip people as beginning researchers and scholars in the traditional fields of theology, as well as in fields of study related to the humanities and social sciences which are integrated with theological perspectives. It provides a qualification recognised by theological and Bible colleges as well as universities for those who aim to teach in these fields.

Course Structure

288 credit points over 3 years (F/T)

Primary Course Discipline

Overall cps: 288

Length: 3 year F/T (6 semesters) or P/T equivalent up to 6 years (12 semesters)

Thesis: 80-100,000 word thesis, including all material (ie footnotes and any excursuses or appendices) except the bibliography.

 

Exemptions to specific course rules for individual applicants / candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Research Committee, which is responsible to ensure that (a) candidates granted such exemptions are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course and the qualification, and (b) the integrity of the course and the qualification are maintained. Where such exemptions are made, a note outlining the reason for the decision will be placed on the candidate’s file.

Admission Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

MTh, OR

BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Distinction in the thesis, OR

BTh or BMin plus a Graduate Diploma with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR

BTh or BMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MDiv or MMin with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥ Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR

MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR

MPM with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods and Confirmation of Candidature and an overall GPA≥3.0,

 

OR

Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by Research Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Philosophy study. A list of approved alternative pathways is outlined below:

  • For candidates seeking to undertake inter-disciplinary research focussing on Theology and Education:
  • Applicants with a Master of Education from Morling College incorporating an embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥ Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words, and the completion of at least 48cps of formal Theology / Ministry accredited studies (generally via a Graduate Certificate) in units coherent with the proposed field of research;
  • Applicants with a Master of Education from Morling College without an embedded RTP, plus 96cps (generally via a Graduate Diploma) with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods, an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Distinction in a major project of at least 12,000 words and 48cps of formal Theology / Ministry accredited studies in units coherent with the proposed field of research.

 

RTP = Research Training Pathway

FoR = Field of Research

 

Language requirements: IELTS min 7.5 overall with a min 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening and 6.5 in speaking.

Overseas Students

This course is registered on CRICOS and is available to overseas students at selected delivery locations. See here for more information.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Create a substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of a field of theology and/or associated disciplines, including knowledge that constitutes an original contribution to the field.

2. Demonstrate substantial knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of study.

3. Exhibit cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate expert understanding of theoretical knowledge in their discipline and to reflect critically on that theory and its potential application(s).

Skills

4. Demonstrate expert, specialised cognitive skills and use of intellectual independence to think critically, evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, undertake systematic investigation, and reflect on theory and practice to generate original knowledge.

5. Communicate a coherent and sustained argument effectively and disseminate research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Application of knowledge and skills

6. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with autonomy and authoritative judgment as an expert and scholar.

7. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with initiative, creativity and responsibility in new situations and/or for further learning.

Characteristics of the Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (AQF Level 10) is a research doctorate awarded on the basis of the satisfactory completion of a thesis or body of work (thesis by publication). The thesis must make an original contribution to the relevant field of knowledge, integrating Christian theological perspectives and show evidence of original research and the exercise of independent critical analysis. Although a candidate works under a principal and co-supervisor, the candidate is expected to demonstrate independence of thought.

The award of the degree may be taken to certify that a candidate has been trained in the techniques relevant to the field of research, and is capable, without supervision, of applying these techniques to other research projects, and has become sufficiently familiar with a significant area of discipline within which the candidate has worked to be able to assess critically the present state of knowledge in the subject and to conceive original possibilities for further investigation with an increasing independence.

1. The thesis must embody the results of independent scholarship and research. It may be either a critical and analytical study of existing material or, as is more usual, an original contribution to the subject. In either case it must show evidence of originality and independence of thought, posing a new insight into the topic or formulating an existing issue in a novel and useful way.

2. The candidate must demonstrate that they are aware of, understand, and are able to read and analyse the literature—including primary source and scholarly material in languages other than English—that is directly relevant to the topic as well as related areas of significance, and are able to make considered judgments.

3. The thesis must be a work of appropriate literary standard. One way of gauging whether a candidate’s work constitutes an original contribution to the relevant field is to consider the extent to which the thesis is publishable. Criteria that will help decide whether a thesis is publishable are: 

• there is emerging and/or growing interest in the subject area of the thesis such that the thesis, if published, would complement what has been published already, or the thesis makes a radically new contribution to the subject area;

• the thesis is well-written, its ideas are accessible, and it would lend itself to conversion to published format;

• there are well-regarded international scholars who could be advocates for the published version of the thesis.

Fees

$11,412 per semester for full-time (48cp) domestic students (2025 course fees).

For more information about tuition fees, FEE-HELP, and student payments, view tuition fees.

Course Rules

  1. Applicants must review the HDR Course Enrolment Policy.
  2. Applicants seeking entry to the course to undertake research in the fields of BB, NT, OT, LA, or TH must meet the biblical language requirements of 2 units in the relevant biblical language(s) and 2 exegesis units from relevant set text units. Applicants in the field of TH may apply for an exemption from the above requirements by including a letter with supporting evidence from their proposed principal supervisor.
  3. Candidates must submit an annual report throughout the duration of candidature.
  4. Candidates must satisfactorily complete Confirmation of Candidature.
  5. Candidates must satisfactorily complete the requirements of the Human Research Ethics Committee, where relevant.
  6. Candidates may apply for leave, suspension and/or extension of candidature.
  7. Candidates must attend, and participate in, a minimum of 4 college research seminars (or other research conference approved by the Graduate School of Research) during each year of full time candidature (minimum of 2 for each year of part time candidature).
  8. Candidates must present at least one seminar or conference paper of no less than 20 minutes’ duration at a seminar or research conference approved by the Graduate School of Research prior to submission of the thesis.
  9. Candidates must submit a thesis or approved body of work for examination. Theses must be at least 80,000 and no more than 100,000 words in length. The word count includes all material except the bibliography i.e., it includes footnotes and any excursuses or appendices. An excursus contributes to and supports the argument; an appendix contains information which verifies the argument of the thesis, such as a translation of a key text, extensive tables, or a questionnaire.
  10. Candidates must produce a citation in plain English which enables those with no specialised knowledge of the field to comprehend the nature of the research and appreciate its contribution to society.

Approved for delivery at

Approval to deliver a course does not guarantee that this course will be available in a given year – please contact a college about current availability.