Bachelor of Divinity

Summary

A full-time student does 120 credits in a year. That is 60 credit points each semester.

• 4 papers x 15 credits = 60 credits in a semester. There are also 7.5 credit papers that run in half a semester - 2 x 7.5 = 15
• There are two semesters in a year 60 + 60 = 120 credit points.

Distance students will take longer to complete the degree as there are limits to the number of papers students can take each semester. This ensures a reasonable workload.

• Distance students can study 1 or 2 papers per semester. (Up to 30 credits)

What is the recommended programme?

The Bachelor of Divinity is a structured programme of study which has compulsory papers, and specific rules guiding the selection of papers to fulfil the requirements. Further information can be found in the BDiv Planning Guide.

• There are (in NZQA credits) at least 360 credits in the whole programme. An individual paper is either 15 credits or 7.5 credits. (24 x 15 = 360)
• You can major in either Dogmatic Theology or Sacred Scripture (which involves passing 90 NZQA credits worth of papers in that subject areas. (6 x 15 = 90)
• In the other one of that pair (Sacred Scripture or Dogmatic Theology) you need 60 credits worth of papers (4 x 15 = 60)
• You must have 30 credits in Philosophy (2 x 15 = 30)
• You must have 30 credits in Pastoral Studies and Practice (2 x 15 = 30)
• You must have 15 credits in Moral Theology
• You must have 15 credits in Church History and Patrology
• Your stage one papers – x1xxx – should not add up to more than 180 credits (12 x 15 = 180)
• You must have at least 90 credits at stage three – x3xxx – (6 x 15 = 90)
• Not more than 150 credits should be from the same area of study

What papers should I start with?

It is expected that students start off their Bachelor of Divinity award with the stage 1 papers, which are normally the prerequisites for the stage two and stage three level papers. Biblical Studies and Philosophy are recommended before starting Dogmatic Theology

The following stage one papers are a good place to start.

• W1010 Ancient and Early Medieval Philosophy
• B1000 Introduction to the Old Testament and Pentateuch