WHY A CERTIFICATE?
Are you:
Interested in deepening and broadening your theological knowledge?
Wanting to try out study at the PTC before enrolling in a tertiary-level course?
PTC’s certificate level courses could suit you. The Certificate in Theology and the ASTC are flexible, low-cost courses, offering online and oncampus, in English and Cantonese.
ADAPTABLE
Study in a way that works for you. Complete your course 100% online at times that suit you, or come to an evening class on campus. PTC has two new certificate units on-campus every semester, held in the evening. One is in English and the other in Cantonese. We tend to call these our ‘short courses’.
affordable
The cost of the units is kept as low as possible. Last time we checked, PTC offers the certificates at the lowest rate in Australia - by far. Full-time ASTC (only) students, studying 3 or more units per semester, may be eligible for Centrelink study allowances. (Fee-help is not an option for the certificates, though.)
ACHIEVABLE
Assessments are kept straightforward. A unit typically has two short assignments (for credit students).
Audit: if you do not want to do the assessments and get credit with the ACT, you can simply audit the units. This halves the unit fee, too!
Single unit study: you can also enrol for a single unit study if you want to do a unit for credit with the ACT, but do not want to do a whole certificate.
accredited
The certificates are accredited by the ACT.
Andrew | Prahran
"I highly recommend the course to anyone seeking to learn more about the God of the Bible. There's a great mix of theological and ministry subjects, and the essays cement the experience."
IMPORTANT DATES
Enrolment
If you are enrolling for ACT credit, please enrol by
the end of February for first semester studies
the end of July for second semester studies.
We might be able to enrol you at a later stage - please ask the Registrar about this.
If you are enrolling for audit, you can enrol at any time.
Assessment submissions
All work for the certificates should be submitted by 15 June (for first semester studies) and 15 November (for second semester studies).
ENROLMENT
To enrol:
Click the enrol button.
Select the award you wish to undertake.
Select the number of units you wish to take in the relevant semester, and the study level (credit or audit).
Complete the transaction.
The registrar will then:
Review your enrolment.
Contact you if further information is required.
Give you access to the unit/s in online.ptc.edu.au.
TIME REQUIRED
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: up to 4 years (ASTC) or 3 years (CertTh)
PREREQUISITES
Ages 16 - 21: completed year 10 or equivalent
Ages 21+ : no prerequisites
Domestic students only
CREDIT TRANSFER
Certificate in Theology - N/A
ASTC - may receive credit for two units into an undergraduate ACT degree
Ben | South Yarra
"Through these courses I've become better equipped to serve Christ's church, and deepened my understanding of the faith. They're a great way to put your 'toe in the water' of theological study."
COURSE STRUCTURE
Certificate of Theology - 6 UNITS
The 3 core units and any 3 electives
ASTC: - 8 UNITS
The 3 core units, any 3 electives, and 2 study skills units
The 3 core units
+ Old Testament Survey
- This course gives an overview of the Old Testament.
- Format: audio lectures, pdfs
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Jared Hood - Academic Dean & OT Lecturer at PTC
+ New Testament Survey
- This course gives an overview of the New Testament.
- Format: audio lectures, video, pdfs
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Tony Bird - NT lecturer at PTC
+ Christian Belief
- An introduction to Christian theology, by looking at the Apostles' Creed.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Douglas Milne - Emeritus principal, theology lecturer at PTC
Choose any 3 electives
The online units are listed below. A new unit is offered on-campus every semester
+ Early Chapters of Genesis
- With focus on creation, the early chapters of Genesis are looked at.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each).
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Greg Goswell - Previous OT lecturer at PTC, current Academic Dean at Christ College
+ Book of Revelation
- The book of Revelation is opened up and made understandable.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Tony Bird - NT lecturer at PTC
+ Church History Survey
- An overview of Church History by looking at the significant figures.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr John Wilson - Polity lecturer at PTC, Moderator of the GAA
+ Calvin and the Westminster Confession
- Christian theology in the light of Calvin and the Westminster Confession.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Douglas Milne - Emeritus principal, theology lecturer at PTC
+ History of Covenant Theology
- The history of Covenant Theology from the early Church to the modern day.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Jared Hood - Academic Dean & OT Lecturer at PTC
+ Basics of Biblical Counselling
- Helping others through counselling. Theory and practice are considered.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Karl Hood - Pastoral care lecturer at PTC
+ Practical Ethics
- This course gives an overview of Christian ethics.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Douglas Milne - Emeritus principal, theology lecturer at PTC
+ Diaconal Service
- A range of lecturers look at practical service in the Church.
- Format: audio lectures, video, pdfs
- Assessment: 2 essays (1,500 words each)
- Lecturer: Rev Dr John Wilson - Polity lecturer at PTC, Moderator of the GAA
The 2 study skills units (ASTC only)
+ Introducing study skills
- This unit is designed to help you develop study skills, and set you up for undertaking further study at a higher level. Topics include knowing what kind of a learner you are and how best to organise your time, how to read methodically, and how to take notes and use them for essay-writing and exam preparation.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: variety of short & long assignments
- Lecturer: Rev Dr Felix Chung - Post-graduate Dean at PTC
+ Developing study skills
- This unit is intended to increase students’ proficiency for studying at a tertiary level. It covers both broader study skills and specifically theological study skills at a more advanced level.
- Format: audio lectures, pdf notes
- Assessment: variety of short & long assignments
- Lecturer: Rev Bruce Riding