Bachelor of Ministry

The Bachelor of Ministry at Perth Bible College is a three-year degree for people who want to work in churches, pastoral care, chaplaincy or faith-based community organisations. You study the Bible and Christian theology, but you also learn how to sit with someone in grief, lead a congregation, preach, and run the practical side of a ministry. Units cover Old and New Testament, church history, theology, pastoral care and counselling, preaching, leadership and ministry practice. Because the college also runs the Asia-Pacific School of Pastoral Care and Counselling, counselling subjects carry real weight in the degree rather than being tacked on at the end.

How the degree is structured

Like most Australian bachelor degrees, it runs over three years of full-time study, usually across two semesters a year. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required number to graduate. The early part of the degree builds your biblical and theological grounding. Later units move into ministry practice, leadership and counselling, and most students finish with a capstone unit or supervised ministry project that pulls the whole degree together. Part-time study is common, and the college can advise on how to spread units out.

Work-integrated learning

Ministry is learned by doing it. The degree includes supervised ministry placement, where you work in a church, chaplaincy setting or community organisation under a supervisor who gives you feedback. That placement is where classroom ideas meet real people and real problems. It also gives you referees and experience for your first job after graduation.

Skills and who it suits

You finish with the ability to read and interpret scripture carefully, prepare and deliver a sermon or teaching session, counsel someone in crisis within your scope of practice, lead a team of volunteers, and manage the everyday administration of a ministry. The degree suits school leavers heading into ministry, people already serving in churches who want formal qualifications, and career changers who feel called to pastoral work. It also suits anyone planning further study in theology, counselling or chaplaincy.

Perth Bible College is a small institution, so classes tend to be discussion-based and you get to know your lecturers. The college sits within the Australian higher education system, which means your qualification sits on the Australian Qualifications Framework at bachelor level. International students should note that English proficiency is required, with IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall the common undergraduate standard, and that a Student visa generally allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you graduate, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 051857F. Check the official page for current unit lists, entry requirements and fees before you apply.

• Minister or pastor in a local church, responsible for preaching, pastoral care, weddings, funerals and leading a congregation.
• Chaplain in schools, hospitals, aged care, defence or emergency services, providing pastoral and spiritual support.
• Pastoral care worker in community organisations, welfare agencies and not-for-profits.
• Youth or children's ministry leader in churches and faith-based youth organisations.
• Missions worker with Australian and international mission agencies.
• Counsellor in a faith-based counselling service, often after further study and registration.
• Church administrator or ministry team leader, managing staff, volunteers, budgets and programmes.
• Further study toward a master's degree in theology, counselling or chaplaincy.