Australian Catholic University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jackjustice, Jul 22, 2004.

Loading...
  1. jackjustice

    jackjustice New Member

    No need to respond to this e-mail. I just want to share a bit of information on the MA program in theology at ACU. I just completed the program and it took 1 1/3 years, taking 2 courses each semester. The course work was demanding and assessment fair. Each course requires a minimum of two written papers and most require frequent participation on an interactive bulletin board. Reading requirements are unimaginable. All required materials are easily accessible on the web, but I guarantee the student will end up purchasing a fair number of books to augment this material, and in order to feel comfortable with the writing assignments. The required papers are demanding and most definitely graduate level work. For one trained in science, a big difference is the social science method of referencing, providing a bibliography, and the seemingly encouraged use of footnotes to expand a concept or provide useful additional information not germane to the topic. These requirements are not neatly spelled out but become apparent after the first one or two courses. A total of eight classes are required and the variety of courses available is interesting and not especially redundant. The enrollment process is remarkably easy. Communication with instructors and technical support is outstanding. The cost was about $ 6500.00 U.S.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 22, 2004
  2. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Congrats on your MA and thanks for a thorough and informative post.
     
  3. jra

    jra Member

    Congratulations for your degree!
    Can you tell me more about the program?
    is it an independent study program basically? what about their approach of theology? it is based in classic theology like St. Thomas Aquinas? or modern things of questionable orthodoxy like Rahner, Kung etc....
     
  4. jackjustice

    jackjustice New Member

    Never quite sure what independent study means. Each course is well planned, chosen material is appropriate, and there is a suggested list of reading in order to respond minimally to specific essay questions. I believe the student is expected to know that at the graduate level a minimal response will meet with low grade, if a grade at all. Most classical theology would have been covered in undergraduate study and more intense study of specific ideas, which may be from classical theology, would probably be covered in a doctoral program or advanced masters, so the MA is appropriately designed to generally address a variety of more modern theological ideas. The course selection, however, also provides an opportunity for some in-depth study of scripture, e.g. the Corinthian letters and Luke/Acts. The theological emphasis is appropriately Roman Catholic, which is a strong motivator for a catholic in choosing a Catholic university. On the other hand, as in virtually all university environments faculty is very liberal, sometimes unbearably so, and the Roman Catholic identity is almost lost. The divergence of views, between faculty and some students, is frequently seen on the bulletin boards but, in my opinion, is not reflected in the grading.
     
  5. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    I called ACU back in 2001 or so about their interdisciplinary Ph.D. in philosophy and theology, and spoke with the head of the program. Had a very positive impression of the school, and am glad to hear from someone who had a positive experience with their DL programs.

    Any of you folks happen to know offhand whether they offer a distance Th.M.? I've got 6 hours of stray Jesuit graduate theology credit and once I'm finished with the Ph.D., I'll want to apply that credit somewhere.


    Cheers,
     
  6. jra

    jra Member

    Enough for me to still save for Christendom College or International Catholic University
     

Share This Page