Doctor of Ministry
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 7 locations
- Ballarat
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Strathfield
- Ballarat
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Strathfield
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- Start dates
-
Jan/Apr 2025
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.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Doctor of Ministry, a student must complete 240 credit points.
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
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.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
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
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
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.
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.