Bachelor of Theology
Course Overview
| Level | NZQF Level 7 |
| Credits | 360 credits |
| Duration | 3 years full-time (with part-time options available) |
| Specialisation |
Biblical studies (BBS), Theological Studies (BTS), Religious Studies (BRS), Moana Studies (BMS) |
| Structure | 8 core courses + 7 major courses [4 L6 & 3 L7] + 7 elective courses [4 L6 & 3 L7] = 22 courses |
| Employment Pathway |
Teaching, research, ministry leadership, chaplaincy, advocacy, and more. |
Strategic Purpose Statement
The purpose of this qualification is to empower and equip people to critically engage in theological enquiry in the context of Aotearoa and Oceania. It seeks to assist the Church in its search to become contextually relevant and prophetic in its public witness. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of justice in the outworking of such enquiry with special reference to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the bi-cultural partnership.
This qualification is theologically and biblically grounded, ministry oriented, ecumenically and pluralistically sensitive, integrated with practical experience, and informed by Māori and Oceanic cultural and knowledge traditions.
This qualification is structured in order to recognise the advanced knowledge and skills required in a variety of professions and contexts.
Graduates will benefit by having a qualification that recognises advanced critical theological knowledge to enhance employment opportunities in church and society and/or to prepare for postgraduate studies.
Churches will benefit by having individuals with advanced theological knowledge and skills to transform the church by leading areas of responsibility in a wide range of vocations.
Society will benefit by having qualified individuals who are committed to justice, biculturalism and diversity to successfully contribute to radical social transformation.
Entry Requirements
To be admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Theology, applicants must:
• Complete the application process for admission into the College (if not a current student);
• Be 16 years old or above;
• Be a New Zealand citizen or resident; and meet at least one of the following requirements:
• Passed NCEA Level 3 and/or University Entrance exam;
• Completed the College’s Diploma in Methodist Studies (DipMS L5);
• Completed the New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (NZDipCS L6);
• Completed the College’s Advanced Diploma in Religious Studies (ADipRS L7);
• Hold at least a Level 4 qualification in a related field from a New Zealand or an overseas provider.
Outcomes
Graduate Profile
Graduates will be able to:
1. Identify and critically analyse connections between current biblical scholarship and contextual issues and use this analysis to initiate new interpretation and radical engagements in church and society.
2. Understand and critically evaluate the prevailing theological discourses, and create alternative perspectives and practices privileging the voices from the margins.
3. Interrogate critically the prevailing dominant exclusive and supremacist theologies, and construct theological and missional perspectives and practices that affirm religious diversity and engage in creating life-affirming communities in communion with neighbours of other faiths and no faith.
4. Critically analyse both Christian history and spiritual practices with a view to transforming contemporary ministry into justice-oriented action.
5. Interrogate and transform the church into a just, bi-cultural and inclusive community informed by Māori and Oceanic socio-cultural and theological knowledge and traditions.
Graduates with the Biblical studies major will also be able to:
6. Use an in depth and critical knowledge of the diverse hermeneutical and methodological techniques in biblical studies in order to analyse the role these approaches play in interpretation.
7. Employ these advanced hermeneutical and methodological skills in practically applying these approaches with particular reference to the context of Aotearoa and Oceania.
Graduates with the Theological studies major will also be able to:
6. Research in understanding and re-formulating the doctrines and teachings of the Church and its ministries and practices affirming bi-culturalism in Aotearoa and Oceania.
7. Engage in praxeological theological inquiries to interpret and to transform the society.
Graduates with the Religious Studies major will also be able to:
6. Demonstrate knowledge and application of a broad range of Christian spiritual and ministry practices with reference to healing and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
7. Critically evaluate the dominant narratives within the history Christianity, retrieve erased histories, and reimagine church from the underside of history.
8. Recognise religious pluralism/diversity as a gift and a responsibility in the context of religious violence and bigotry, and engage in creating inclusive communities, celebrating shared religious values and practices.
Graduates with the Moana Studies major will also be able to:
6. Apply advanced knowledge and skills in Māori and Oceanic theologies to critically probe and transform theological interpretation and discourse.
7. Utilize mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to both decolonise and inform theological knowledge and practice for the purposes critically investigating racial privilege/supremacy, and to facilitate transformation.
8. Decentre theological knowledge and practices informed by Oceanic cultures and traditions in order to critically interrogate and transform systems and practices of domination.
Education Pathway
This qualification can lead to post-graduate qualification (Level 8) or its overseas equivalent.
Employment Pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of roles in Christian churches or the wider church-affiliated sector. Roles may include:
- Leadership positions in faith communities, ecumenical organizations and faith-based and secular non-governmental organizations locally, regionally and globally.
- Instructors in Theological, Biblical, Religious and Moana studies o Preachers and elders in faith communities
- Researchers in faith-based and secular organizations equipped with the skills and knowledge to engage in empirical and social science research intersectionally.
This qualification can also lead to Licensed Ministers or ordination in some faith denominations.