School of Theological Studies [STS]

The school [STS] is for a wide range of students, including people who wish to take individual units from the ALC curriculum either on or off campus, people who wish to complete an award without entering into church service, parish [faith community] nursing candidates, students who enrol in the lay ministry strand of the STS, and people interested in attending evening classes of their choice.

The objectives of the lay studies curriculum at the ALC are threefold:

to provide a broad education in the traditional areas of Bible, doctrine, church history, and practical theology;
to prepare lay people as church workers in the LCA or in other areas of church work by giving them the opportunity to select vocationally-oriented units;
to help students integrate the findings of the theological disciplines and apply the Christian faith to the issues and challenges of church and society.

Academic courses for lay people

Diploma of Theology
This is a comprehensive one year equivalent course which is one of the preferred paths to accreditation as a lay worker in the LCA.

Diploma of Theology (Counselling)
As a specialisation in the Diploma of Theology, the DipTh(Counsel) provides students with foundational learning and tools for pastoral care and counselling.

Diploma of Theology (School Chaplaincy)
The DipTh(School Chaplaincy) is a formal qualification for those wishing to prepare for chaplaincy in state and independent schools.

Diploma of Theology (Youth Ministry)
The DipTh(Youth Ministry) is a specialisation for those engaged in youth ministry or those wishing to prepare for such ministry

Bachelor of Theology
The BTh is an initial theological degree for students wishing to study theology at a tertiary academic level.

Bachelor of Ministry
The BMin has a more intentional focus on the practice of ministry than the BTh. A feature of the course is the supervised field experience which provides a link between units taught and experiences in the field.

Graduate Diploma of Theology in Faith Community Nursing
The GradDipTh(FCN) is a one year equivalent full time postgraduate theological course for registered nurses that qualifies successful graduates to work in a parish or other faith community setting.

Entrance requirements

A Year 12 points score entitling entry to a tertiary level Arts course is required for application to the academic courses. Alternatively, mature age candidates [above 30 years of age] are required to perform satisfactorily on an Australian Council for Education Research [ACER] Reading and Comprehension Test. [See Thinking of study: special entry]

Lay Ministry Strand

The lay ministry strand, with the support of the LCA's Board for Lay Ministry [BLM], aims first and foremost to prepare men and women for a wide range of ministries in our congregations, schools and institutions, as well as in the wider community, as a parish worker, youth worker, chaplain, counsellor, director of Christian education, family ministry coordinator, and the like.

Lay ministry strand students complete one of the undergraduate academic courses as part of their program. In addition, there are also a number of specific requirements designed to prepare women and men for various ministries within the church.

Applicants for the lay ministry strand should write, email or phone to arrange an appointment with the Head of the School of Theological Studies at Australian Lutheran College to discuss their enrolment.

Further enrolment information:

Study options

All courses are available part time or full time in a variety of study modes.

Austudy/Youth Allowance and Abstudy

Austudy/Youth Allowance and Abstudy are available for students studying accredited courses full time at ALC. [Full time for this purpose means at least 75% of the normal full time load.] Letters to support application for Austudy/Youth Allowance or Abstudy are available from the Office of Registrar. Students need to apply at their nearest Centrelink Office and are required to notify that office if their workload falls below the full time load in any semester/trimester.

Off campus study modes

Most units in the Diploma in Theology, the DipTh specialisations and the GradDipTh(FCN) are available through ALC off campus study modes.

Graduate attributes:

Graduate attributes [PDF] are the learning outcomes that ALC seeks to realise in all graduates. Within the School of Theological Studies ALC provides an environment where students are encouraged to take responsibility for developing specialised attributes.

View Theological Studies Graduate Attributes [PDF]

Evening classes (non-accredited courses)

Evening classes for lay members of the church commenced in 2001. They draw on teaching staff and other church members with expertise in a given field to offer short non-accredited courses beyond the scope of what is normally provided at the parish level. Held on campus and at other suburban locations one night a week, the courses normally last for six weeks. In addition to the biblical, doctrinal, ethical and historical modules on offer, the curriculum treats issues such as dealing with teenagers, caring for people in crisis, worship in its varied forms today, ministry to the aged, gospel outreach, introduction to counselling, issues surrounding marriage and family, Bible study preparation, and small groups ministry.

Contact information

Write to:

Administrator
School of Theological Studies
Australian Lutheran College
104 Jeffcott Street
North Adelaide SA 5006
Australia

Email sts@alc.edu.au

Telephone +61 8 8267 7400 and ask for the STS Administrator

Updated: 02/06/2010 [1.06]