240 credit points
Minimum duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.

Admission

Apply directly to ACU National.

Prerequisites

1. Studies in an appropriate discipline* constituting:
   1. Bachelor degree with at least Honours IIA; or
   2. Graduate Diploma including a research component; or
   3. at least 80 cp in a coursework Master's degree and evidence of research capacity; and
2. completion of at least four units of Theology or Pastoral Studies**; and
3. at least five years' relevant professional experience at a senior level.

* An appropriate discipline may include humanities, health, welfare, social sciences or business.

** An applicant who has not completed this requirement will normally be required to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Theology) or equivalent.

Course Description

The Doctor of Practical Ministry is a unique award in the Australian context. While many institutions offer a professional doctorate in ministry, these normally require a previous degree in theology for admission. The Doctor of Practical Ministry is a professional doctoral degree for those involved in leadership roles in professional ministry, who have not completed a previous three-year theological degree. It is offered to candidates with extensive experience in a ministry context, and the course involves advanced study, reflection and research integrated with that experience. The course is open to candidates with a good honour's or master's degree who have at least five years experience in ministry and/or pastoral counselling and will normally be a three year full-time or equivalent program comprising course work, practicum experience and a research project and thesis. It is specifically directed towards leaders in a broad range of Catholic institutions, both urban and rural. It is an opportunity for those working in parishes, schools, hospitals, welfare agencies and other areas to make a significant contribution to knowledge and practice of practical ministry.

The course aims to provide students with the opportunity to integrate the human, the professional, the academic and the spiritual by building, strengthening and developing skills of critical reflection, by providing research training and by imparting the knowledge, awareness and understanding to enrich their ministry work and to enhance their ability to offer leadership to others.

By the end of the course, students will be able to reflect on their roles of leaders in practical ministry, identify issues that affect their communities, apply core values from Catholic Social teaching in a variety of ministry settings, and understand and respond to the pluralism of Australian society. They will be able to apply models of theological reflection to their practice of ministry and demonstrate enhanced leadership in their current roles. They will be able to conduct research and implement innovative practices in their ministries. They will be challenged to integrate their practice of ministry with their personal faith development.