Doctor of Ministry

Course information for - 2025 entry Are you an

Offered at 3 locations Location

Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code: 108637K
IELTS: Overall score 6.5; Individual score of 6.0 in all tests
Fees (first year)*: $28940
Start dates: January 2025, January 2026, January 2027

Overview

The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctorate designed for graduates with significant ministry experience in religious, educational and health institutions, along with other secular or faith-based organisations who want to further enhance their skills for leadership within any variety of community or professional settings.

ACU strongly encourages students to be fully vaccinated. With our industry and community placement partners requiring vaccination, and with public health orders regularly changing - students can avoid interruption to their studies, placement and graduation requirements by becoming fully vaccinated.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

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Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Research Term A - Full Time

Year 1Research Terms A, B, C & D

Thesis UnitsDMTH701Thesis Full Time
DMTH701 Thesis full time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.
180 cp

Year 1Research Term B

Specified UnitsTHDM700Pastoral Ministry and Care of the Person20 cp

Year 1Research Term D

Specified UnitsTHDM701Ministry in the Church20 cp

Year 2Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 2Research Term B

Year 3Research Terms A, B, C & D

Full time student:

Year 1 - Students are expected to work part time on the thesis in the first year of enrolment.
Year 2 - Students are expected to work part time on the thesis in Research Terms A and B before turning to the dissertation full time in Terms C and D.

Commencing Research Term A - Part Time

Year 1Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 1Research Term B

Year 1Research Term D

Year 2Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 2Research Term B

Year 3Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 4Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 5Research Terms A, B, C & D

Year 6Research Terms A, B, C & D

Part time student:

Year 1 - Students are not expected to begin writing their thesis in the first year, but are enrolled in the thesis units throughout the year so that they can have conversations with supervisors about how the coursework units are affecting their thinking about research project development.
Year 2 - Students begin focused work on the thesis in Research Term C, but are enrolled in thesis units also in Research Terms A and B so that they can have conversations with supervisors about how the coursework units are affecting their thinking about research project development.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Doctorate by research - AQF Level 10

Entry requirements

To be eligible for Admission to the course applicants must evidence:

a) An Australian undergraduate degree with Honours (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 8) at a minimum level of Second Class Division A (Distinction average) or international equivalent; or

b) A Masters degree by research successfully completed in a relevant discipline or related field; or

c) A Masters degree by coursework with appropriate research training including a substantial component of original research, successfully completed in a relevant discipline or related field; or

d) A qualification equivalent to AQF level 8 or 9 completed to at least distinction average with appropriate research training including a substantial component of original research in a relevant discipline or related field; or

e) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants with professional experience or cultural expertise in Indigenous Knowledges or kinship connections and who demonstrate capacity to undertake an independent research project on Indigenous Knowledges; or

f) Other professional experience demonstrating research training equivalent to AQF level 8 or 9 and capacity to undertake an independent research project.

Meeting the eligibility requirements for admission is not in itself a guarantee of admission. The candidate’s potential to undertake research, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, the availability of appropriate supervision and the referee’s reports will all be taken into consideration (refer to section 5 of the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as published by the University (refer Appendix C of the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

English language requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Ministry course should carefully review the details outlined in Admission to Coursework Programs Policy to check how they must demonstrate their English Language Proficiency.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Fees

Course costs

Unit fee: $3618
Average first year fee: $28940
Estimate total cost: $86820

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.