Diploma Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How does the Australian College of Theology fit in?
The Australian College of Theology (ACT) is a national consortium of 18 Bible and theological colleges. The ACT was established in 1891 by the General Synod of the Church of England in Australia.
Mary Andrews College is one of the member colleges of the ACT. The ACT is a national Higher Education Provider (HEP). Each of the ACT member colleges are teaching sites for its courses.
The ACT was granted self-accrediting authority in 2010. This means it is able to accredit its own courses in theology and ministry within the scope of the self-accrediting authority endorsed by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). In October 2011 the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses were accredited by the ACT for the five year period 2012-2016. (The Certificate in Theology course is unaccredited.)
For more information on the ACT, click here: www.actheology.edu.au
Q. Who are these courses suitable for?
These courses are very appropriate for those women who are seeking to extend their knowledge of God and their skills in ministry. They are particularly suited for those who have limited time because of family responsibilities, work or university studies. Classes are run within public school terms and school hours (10am-1pm).
Many of our students are retirees, people in part-time work, young mums, women involved in ministries in their church, school community or Christian organisations, and women with caring responsibilities.
Q. How much time will it take?
Subjects can be studied part-time (as little as one subject at a time) or full-time (four subjects per semester). Full-time students can complete the Diploma in two years, or the Advanced Diploma in three years. This is the minimum. There is no maximum time to complete a diploma course. Therefore there is complete flexibility.
Q. Are there any semester-length subjects?
Yes. Most of our subjects can are run fortnightly and can be completed in one semester. We one of our subjects on a monthly basis across the whole year at Dapto.
Q. Where can I study?
Our main teaching centre is in the city. Subjects are also held at the regional centres of Dapto, Emu Plains and Hoxton Park.
Q. What changes have been made to the structure of the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses starting from 2012?
In 2010 the Australian College of Theology (ACT) was granted self-accrediting authority. This means that the ACT is able to accredit its own courses in theology and ministry within the scope of the self-accrediting authority endorsed by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). In October 2011 the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses were accredited for the 5 year period 2012-2016. As part of the self-accrediting process, the ACT has needed to make some changes to the stucture of the Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas starting from 2012 in order to bring them into line with other types of diplomas and advanced diplomas across Australia. From 2012 both the Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas will require less subjects to complete, and the Advanced Diplomas will now become harder than the Diploma, rather than just longer.
From 2012 the new Diploma of Theology and new Diploma of Ministry will now require only 12 subjects. This means that a full-time student will now be able to be complete a Diploma within 1.5 years (minimum).
From 2012 the new Advanced Diploma of Theology and new Advanced Diploma of Ministry will now require only 16 subjects, of which four subjects will need to be completed at degree level. (Mary Andrews College has chosen not to offer any degree level subjects yet until after 2012.) This means that a full-time student will now be able to complete an Advanced Diploma in two years (minimum).
There will be a changeover period until December 2014, during which time continuing students will be able to still complete their existing Diploma or Advanced Diploma and graduate under the old system, as long as they
complete at least one subject per year. After 2014, anyone remaining will be required to transfer to one of the new Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas.
Q. How difficult are the Diploma courses academically?
Many of those who study with us have not studied for a long time. Choosing to study a Diploma offers the opportunity to undertake study at a level which will be challenging, but not as demanding as a degree course. It is therefore accessible to most women academically.
Under the new course regulations from 2012, new Advanced Diploma students will now be required to complete four of the Advanced Diploma subjects at degree level, which means that those four subjects will be assessed at a higher level.
Q. What previous education is required?
Those who wish to be awarded a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma are normally admitted upon satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or the equivalent. However, consideration is also given to an applicant's practical experience, maturity and motivation. Mature age entry is available for those 20 years or older.
There are extra entry requirements for the degree level subjects in the new Advanced Diplomas.
Q. Are there any English language requirements if I come from a non-English speaking background?
Domestic students (i.e. Australian citizens and permanent residents) from a non-English speaking background who (a) have an assessable qualification that was undertaken solely in English in one of a set of presribed countries, OR (b) to study Diploma level (200 level) subjects, have experienced English in an English-speaking country for at least five years, OR (c) to study degree level (300+ level) subjects, have been resident in Australia with English being the language spoken at home and at work for ten or more years are NOT required to provide proof of English language proficiency for consideration for admission to an Australian College of Theology course.
All other students MUST provide proof of English language proficiency for consideration for admission to an Australian College of Theology course. Such proof will normally be by provision of the results of an IELTS test (Academic Version) completed no longer than two years previously. For admission at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, the minimum IELTS result required is 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subject.
Q. Can I choose not to do the assessments?
Yes. Some students choose to simply attend the lectures and do not undertake the assessments that are required for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma awards. This is called auditing.
There is no previous educational requirement for those who choose to audit their subjects.
Q. What are the fees for 2012?
As the Higher Education Provider (HEP), the Australian College of Theology (ACT) has set the 2012 Diploma fees at $1,104 per subject. This is the standard cost for all students who are doing Diploma level subjects.
Under the course changes starting in 2012 outlined above, for new Advanced Diploma students, the four subjects they will now be required to complete at degree level will cost more than standard Diploma level subjects. The ACT has set the 2012 fees for degree subjects as $1,492 per subject, but Mary Andrews College has chosen not to offer any degree level subjects yet until after 2012.
Mary Andrews College has set the 2012 fees for auditing students (i.e. attendance only) as just $310 per subject.
Q. Can I obtain any government financial assistance?
Whether part-time or full-time, Diploma students may be eligible to apply for government FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme which assists eligible students to pay their course fees. FEE-HELP can cover all or part of a student's fees. Students are eligible for FEE-HELP if they are both an Australian citizen and are enrolled in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma course.
Repayment is only required when your personal taxable income is above the minimum threshold, which for the 2011-2012 financial year is $47,196 (Indexed to CPI). Read answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about FEE-HELP.
Students studying 80% or more of a full-time Diploma program may be eligible to apply for government Austudy.
Q. Are any other forms of financial assistance available, like bursaries or scholarships?
Our parent body, Anglican Deaconess Ministries, offers four Narelle Jarrett Bursaries a year to Mary Andrews College Diploma students to cover the cost of enrolment in a Diploma subject. For 2012, the bursaries are for $1,104 each. These bursaries are open to continuing and new students from any church denomination.
Closing dates for these bursaries are 31 May 2012 (for Semester 2 2012 subjects) and 31 October 2012 (for Semester 1 2013 subjects). Find out more information on these Narelle Jarrett Bursaries and download an application form.
Q. How do I enrol?
Enrol now online or download an enrolment form. You may also contact our Registrar, Sarah Barry, on (02) 9569 2418 or sarahbarry@mac.edu.au
Prospective full-time students should ask the Registrar for a full-time application form, and they will require an interview with the Director of Studies.