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Australian Catholic University (ACU)

  • 12% international / 88% domestic

Doctor of Ministry

  • Doctorate (PhD)

The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctorate aimed at graduates with substantial ministry experience, enhancing their leadership skills across various community and professional settings.

Key details

Degree Type
Doctorate (PhD)
Duration
3 years full-time
Intake Months
Jan, Apr

About this course

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.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

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

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

What you will learn

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.

Course structure

Course detailsCommencing Research Term A - Full TimeYear 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
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH701Thesis Full Time

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

180 cp

Year 2Research Term B
  • Specified UnitsTHDM702Power, Leadership and Authority20 cp
Year 3Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH701Thesis Full Time

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

180 cp

Commencing Research Term A - Part TimeYear 1Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

*DMTH702 Thesis part 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
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

DMTH702 Thesis part time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.

180 cp

Year 2Research Term B
  • Specified UnitsTHDM702Power, Leadership and Authority20 cp
Year 3Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

DMTH702 Thesis part time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.

180 cp

Year 4Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

DMTH702 Thesis part time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.

180 cp

Year 5Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

DMTH702 Thesis part time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.

180 cp

Year 6Research Terms A, B, C & D
  • Thesis UnitsDMTH702Thesis Part Time

DMTH702 Thesis part time will equate to 180cp on completion of the thesis.

180 cp

Credit for prior study or work

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. Search our credit database Learn more about recognition of prior learning

How to apply

Apply now

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Humanities, Culture & Social Sciences courses at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
80.5%
Overall satisfaction
71%
Skill scale
77.5%
Teaching scale
90.8%
Employed full-time
$75.1k
Average salary