Schools

Diploma in Ministry

Do you feel God’s call on your life?

The Diploma in Ministry equips you with a thorough foundation in biblical knowledge and ministry development. You’ll explore biblical topics like New Testament Survey, Theology and Hermeneutics, as well as ministry focused topics such as Leadership and Preaching.

If you’re passionate for God, want to grow in him and fulfil his calling on your life, this course will be an amazing investment in your development.

You may feel God is calling you into church leadership or pastoral ministry. Or perhaps you want to develop greater understanding of your faith to help in your everyday life as a Christian. Many school leavers or tertiary graduates choose to take a ‘gap year’ for biblical training to grow in depth and understanding of what they believe.

Whatever your purpose is, studying the Diploma in Ministry will build a deep foundation in your life and prepare you for a lifetime of Christian ministry and influence in the workplace.

Course Snapshot

Qualification:	Diploma in Ministry
Level:	5
Length:	1 year full-time 3 years part-time
Start Dates:	February or July, Or any block course
Fee Guidelines2010:	Domestic Student: $4495/$374.60per paper. Plus Enrolment Fee $170
	International Fees: $8243/$687per paper. Plus Adminstration Fee $200
	Course Related Costs are extra

Study Options

Hamilton Campus:	On-campus. Full-time. 1 year.
Christchurch Campus:	On-campus. Night classes. 2-3 years.
Distance Learning:	Internship (Anywhere in NZ). Full-time. 1 year. OR Weekend block courses. Part-time. 3 years.

Three Study Options

This course is very flexible and gives three different options for study.

On-Campus Option

In Hamilton you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (up to three years) on-campus. In Christchurch you can complete the Diploma in Ministry part-time over three years by night class.

These on-campus options enable you to cover a total of 12 papers and grow in your knowledge dramatically. On-campus students can still complete an internship by continuing to the second year - Diploma in Christian Leadership.

Internship Option

If you'd like to stay in your home church, you can complete an internship consisting of the seven core papers (by block course and self study) combined with ministry experience in your local church or Christian organisation.

Weekend Block Course Option

Alternatively, if you're already working full-time, but still want to grow in your leadership, ministry and biblical understanding, you can choose the block course option. Delivered through weekend block courses, this structure was developed to cause minimum disruption to your employment.

Each year you will complete three weekend block courses, plus a self directed paper, together with required assignments. After three years (9 weekends and 3 self directed papers) you will graduate with the Diploma in Ministry. The weekends feature excellent speakers, awesome worship and wonderful fellowship.

What does the qualification level mean?
What is an Internship?
When are the Weekend Block Courses?
Can I get a student loan?

Papers

Core Papers

Leadership
Theology 1: God and Creation
Theology 2: Jesus and Salvation
New Testament Survey
Christian Communication
Ministry Studies
Hermeneutics

On-Campus & Block Courses Option

Old Testament Survey
1 Corinthians
Spiritual Development
Church History
Christian Mission

Internship Option

Ministry Internship

Availability of subjects listed may vary.

Entry Requirements

Be aged 18 years or over
Supply Pastoral references
Complete required essays and have an interview
Students for whom English is a second language must also have an IELTS score of 5.5 (academic) with no individual band lower than 5.0, or equivalent. If the student has completed a qualification in English at New Zealand Diploma level or above, the IELTS requirement may be waived.

Provisional Entry

Provisional Entry may be granted to applicants who do not meet the criteria above, but present evidence of ability to succeed and are able to show they are well prepared to study the programme.

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates have successfully assumed leadership roles in many fields in New Zealand and overseas. Christian roles include Pastoral leadership as well as leadership within the many and varied ministries in modern churches. Graduates maybe eligible to be ordained subject to the equirements of their denomination.

Further Study

Graduating from this course allows entry into the Diploma in Christian Leadership (Level 6). The Diploma in Christian Leadership is a full-time internship based programme and focuses specifically on leadership and ministry skills with the aim of preparing people for staff roles and leading churches.