Master of Arts

The Master of Arts is designed to provide a general postgraduate-level education. The course draws on the College’s established areas of expertise while expanding the offerings to include general subject areas that are of interest to the students. The purpose of this AQF Level 9 Masters coursework program is to provide an advanced body of knowledge and professional application for graduates in a variety of contexts.

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Course Description

Do you want to bring a Christian worldview to your career and community? The MA integrates cutting-edge principles in theology, leadership, and contextual studies with Biblical values, to equip professionals like you in all contexts. The course draws on our established areas of expertise while expanding the offerings to general subject areas such as history and communication. The purpose of this program is to provide an advanced body of knowledge and professional application for graduates in a variety of context.

In addition to developing skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, you will be equipped with advanced knowledge of theory and the application of theoretical concepts in practical settings. The MA can also prepare you for further study by inclusion within the structured program of some independent research.

This course structure applies from Semester 1, 2024 onwards.

The MA course structure is based on three semesters, with 4 subjects taught in each semester, comprising:

10 credit points — Core subjects
100 credit points — Electives
10 credit points — Capstone subject (or 20cp capstone subject and 90cp electives)

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Arts a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 120 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core / 10 credit points

ACA401 Faith and Purpose

Elective / 100 credit points

10 subjects (unless undertaking RES501) taken from accredited Level 8 and 9 subjects:

70 credit points at 400 level or above
30 credit points at 500 level or above*

*Students undertaking RES501 complete 20 credit points at 500 level or above

Capstone / 10 credit points

Choose one of the following:

RES500 Independent Guided Research (10 credit points), or
RES501 Research Project (20 credit points)**

** Students undertaking RES501 complete 10 few elective credit points

*Note: This subject can only be taken if the student has a GPA of 2.8 or above, and requires the Program Director's approval.

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 6.5 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Study Modes

Locations: Fully Online. Some subjects available at Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide campuses
Full-time Duration: 1.5 years
Part-time Duration: Up to 7 years
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2, Nov Intake

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Demonstrated:

advanced and integrated understanding of key issues and practices within the relevant areas of study;
knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in relevant discipline areas;
understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches used in the relevant disciplinary fields.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

evaluate, synthesise and critically engage the theoretical knowledge in the relevant areas of study;
examine a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the relevant disciplines;
analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from related disciplines;
design a research question that explores a complex issue and to provide possible solution(s) to the problem raised;
communicate effectively complex ideas and proposed solutions to peers and general audiences;
identify and critically evaluate new developments of research and scholarship in the selected disciplinary fields.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected disciplinary fields to develop appropriate solutions;
work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the selected disciplinary fields;
design and implement a major research project in the selected disciplinary fields.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Arts may find employment in a ministry or church-based organisation, not-for-profit or mission-focused organisation, community service-oriented position or positions that require skills in research and critical thinking, such as:

Senior Pastor
Cross-Cultural Ministry worker
Church relations manager
NGO Communications Manager

Additionally, graduates may progress further in the pathway toward doctoral studies upon completion of the Master of Arts.

Pathway to Research

Postgraduate students wanting to progress to a research degree must complete a research project of at least 12,000 words, and should normally receive a Distinction for the research project as well as a high grade point average overall (roughly Distinction-level). In some cases, publication of a peer-reviewed journal article will be deemed equivalent to a 12,000-word research thesis.

Alumni Story

“Stepping into AC to study has opened up more opportunities than I could ever have imagined. These two years have laid a foundation for the rest of my life and was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have studied at university and the difference is stark. At AC, the teachers are proactive in educating within a community atmosphere, and are always accessible. AC teachers know the power of a positive word. They have been overwhelmingly supportive, always, and I mean always, encouraging me to have confidence in my scholarly abilities, and they opened doors of opportunity wherever possible. The AC teachers have encouraged me to aim as high as possible and to believe those heights are achievable.”

Craig Hall
Master of Arts Graduate

Work-integrated Learning

To qualify for the award of the Master of Arts, a candidate is not required to complete any Professional Practice subjects. Students who chose to complete a professional practice subject are usually required to find their own workplace/ employer/ mentor to be approved by AC. In some cases, a new aspect within a student’s current paid employment may be suitable as a work placement.

Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 084483C