Graduate

Course Structure

There are now three Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses which you can choose from at Mary Andrews College. Each is a course of the Australian University of Theology (AUT), which Mary Andrews College is approved to deliver as an affiliated college of the AUT.

Each of these courses can be completed in a minimum of 0.5-1 year full time, or a maximum of 2-4 years part time (depending on the particular course). The units require 150 hours of study time (including 36 hours of class time).

Each unit requires on average three assignments. Assignments may include a wide variety of tasks that require thoughtful reflection on what you have learned and integration into your life and ministry.

Studying 48 credit points (cps) in one semester is considered full time.

Mary Andrews College now offers three Graduate level courses, accredited by the Australian University of Theology.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses are AQF Level 8 courses in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Graduate level is suitable for students with a previous bachelor degree.

Which Graduate course is right for you?

  • The Graduate Certificate of Divinity is a general purposes award to provide students who are already graduates with an opportunity to undertake study at an advanced level of selected units in the teaching departments of Bible and Languages, Christian Thought and History, and Ministry and Practice.

    Course structure:

    A maximum of 2 years part time (48 credit points)

    This course comprises a total of 4 units (48 credit points). Units in this course are completed at AQF Level 8 and above.

    Primary Course Discipline Units:

    • 48 credit points from any units at Level 8 or above

    Time Commitment:

    Each unit requires 150 demand hours. This includes 36 hours of class time, plus additional time for completing required readings as well as researching for and writing your assignments.

    Admission Requirements:

    This is a course of the Australian University of Theology.

    Academic qualifications:

    • Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

    • Alternative admission to the Graduate Certificate of Divinity or the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health on individual application to the AUT Registrar including 5 years’ ministry or relevant industry experience (paid or unpaid); and written support of a referee who holds a relevant Masters degree from the AUT or equivalent; and successful completion of a previous qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; and being at least 25 years of age. Requirements for demonstration of academic suitability is determined at the discretion of the AUT Registrar, who will only admit applicants on a case by case basis who in the AUT Registrar’s belief are likely to be successful in AQF Level 8 units.
      The principles considered in assessing an application under this clause include:

      • accommodating student diversity by including the under-representation and/or disadvantage experienced by identified groups and creating equivalent opportunities for academic success regardless of students’ backgrounds; and

      • specific consideration for the recruitment, admission, participation and completion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

      • ensuring that admitted students have the academic preparation needed to participate in their intended study, and no known limitations that would be expected to impede their progression and completion.

    Language Qualifications for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) Students: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

     For further information, refer to the AUT’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.

    More information:

    For more information on the Graduate Certificate of Divinity, including course rationale, course structure and course learning outcomes, visit the AUT website

  • The Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health offers specialised training in pastoral responses to mental health and wellbeing with a focus on preventative and reactive strategies.

    It is designed to be a professional development course for men and women who work in ministry, professional health care workers, and Christians working in schools. The course also aims to equip students with a rigorous theological framework for mental health and wellbeing that is biblically grounded. 

    Course structure:

    A maximum of 2 years part time (48 credit points)

    This course comprises a total of 4 units (48 credit points). Units in this course are completed at AQF Level 8 and above.

    Primary Course Discipline Units:

    • 24 credit points in:

      • Theological Perspectives on Mental Health (PC137-812)

      • Theological Approaches to Wellbeing (PC136-812)

    • 12 credit points in:

      • Pastoral Care of those with Mental Ill-Health (PC135-812)

    Elective Units:

    • 12 credit points in specific electives, including:

      • Pastoral and Church-Focused Ministry Seminar: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on Trauma (PC204-812)

      • Disability and the People of God (DE028-812)

    Elective units offered will change every year or so at MAC. (For a full list of possible elective units, see the AUT website: https://aut.edu.au/course/GCPCMH20/

    In 2025 the elective unit offered at MAC for this course is Disability and the People of God (DE028-812).

    Time Commitment:

    Each unit requires 150 demand hours. This includes 36 hours of class time, plus additional time for completing required readings as well as researching for and writing your assignments.

    Admission Requirements:

    This is a course of the Australian University of Theology.

    Academic qualifications:

    • Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

    • OR Alternative admission to the Graduate Certificate of Divinity or the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health on individual application to the AUT Registrar including 5 years’ ministry or relevant industry experience (paid or unpaid); and written support of a referee who holds a relevant Masters degree from the AUT or equivalent; and successful completion of a previous qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; and being at least 25 years of age. Requirements for demonstration of academic suitability is determined at the discretion of the AUT Registrar, who will only admit applicants on a case by case basis who in the AUT Registrar’s belief are likely to be successful in AQF Level 8 units.
      The principles considered in assessing an application under this clause include:

      • accommodating student diversity by including the under-representation and/or disadvantage experienced by identified groups and creating equivalent opportunities for academic success regardless of students’ backgrounds; and

      • specific consideration for the recruitment, admission, participation and completion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

      • ensuring that admitted students have the academic preparation needed to participate in their intended study, and no known limitations that would be expected to impede their progression and completion.

    Language Qualifications for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) Students: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

    For further information, refer to the AUT’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.

    More information:

    For more information on the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health, including course rationale, course structure and course learning outcomes, visit the AUT website

  • The Graduate Diploma of Divinity introduces students to the sources and content of the Christian story and message at an advanced level, and provides training which combines articulation of this story and message with their application and practice in the contemporary world.

    Course structure:

    1 year full time, or a maximum of 4 years part time (96 credit points)

    This course comprises a total of 8 units (96 credit points). Units in this course are completed at AQF Level 8 and above.

    Primary Course Discipline Units:

    • 24 credit points from the following Level 8 units, including:

      • Old Testament Overview (OT003-812)

      • New Testament Overview (NT003-812)

    • 12 credit points from CH/TH/PE units at Level 8 or above

    In 2025 the CH/TH/PE units offered at MAC are Christian Ethics (PE001-812) and Foundational Christian Beliefs (TH005-812).

    Elective Units:

    • 60 credit points of elective units from any field at Level 8 or above

    Time Commitment:

    Each unit requires 150 demand hours. This includes 36 hours of class time, plus additional time for completing required readings as well as researching for and writing your assignments.

    Admission Requirements:

    This is a course of the Australian University of Theology.

    Academic qualifications: Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

    Language Qualifications for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) Students: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

    For further information, refer to the AUT’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.

    Course Rules:

    Maximum concurrent enrolment load: 60 credit points [in one semester]

    More information:

    For more information on the Graduate Diploma of Divinity, including course rationale, course structure, course learning outcomes and early exit options, visit the AUT website

The best way to consider if a Graduate course at Mary Andrews College is right for you is by chatting with one of our team.

Enquire Now

More about the Graduate courses offered at Mary Andrews College

  • Units will be taught in hybrid mode, i.e., students can attend class in-person on campus or attend online at the scheduled class times.

  • Each of the AUT’s courses listed above are part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and are at AQF Level 8. The admission requirements are:

    • Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

     There is an alternative admission option only for the Graduate Certificate of Divinity and the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health for students without prior completed bachelor degrees. See above under each course description for details.

    Language Qualifications for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) Students: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

    For further information, refer to the AUT’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.

    Mary Andrews College has an application process that involves completing an application form and providing the names of two referees. All applicants will also need to agree to the College’s Code of Conduct which you can read ahead of applying.

  • Mary Andrews College is an Affiliated College of the Australian University of Theology (AUT). The tuition fees are set by the AUT on an annual basis.

    For 2025, 12 credit point Graduate level units cost $3,162 (36 class hours). A FEE-HELP loan may be available from the government to cover the cost of your tuition for each unit counting towards a complete Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma course. No FEE-HELP loan fee will be applied for this course level.

    Note that Single Unit Study fees for one-off units require upfront payment.

    For 2025, auditing 12 credit point units cost $720 (36 class hours). Auditing fees are set at a subsidized rate by Mary Andrews College and require upfront fee payment.

    Please enquire if you need to pay in instalments.

  • Auditing is where you don’t undertake any of the assessments, nor do you receive a qualification, but you do gain great insights personally and also for your ministry.

  • A FEE-HELP loan scheme is available from the government for eligible Australian citizens to cover tuition fees for Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses. Completion of the entire course is expected, and repayment of the FEE-HELP loan is based on personal taxable income. There is no loan fee on graduate level courses. Please read carefully the Study Assist information.

  • This course includes digital and online components. You will need access to a device and reasonable-quality internet that allows you to engage on Zoom with audio and video. The classroom component of the unit is live and designed to be interactive, and therefore sound and video make your experience and those of others far richer. You will also need a device to access resources such as class notes and online library resources, including ebooks, and to submit assignments. At Mary Andrews College, we want to assist you at each stage of your learning journey, and we can point you in the right direction for your digital and online experience.

  • For more information on the AUT’s Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses, visit the AUT website

Mary Andrews College is an affiliated college of the Australian University of Theology