BA (Hons) Applied Theology

Delivered by Moorlands College. Validated by the University of Gloucestershire.

Apply Now
The BA (Hons) Applied Theology is delivered by Moorlands College at their South West Regional Centre in partnership with South West Youth Ministries, and is validated by the University of Gloucestershire.

Training is delivered in nine one-week blocks per year. Six of these are at Brunel Manor in Torquay and three at Moorlands’ Christchurch Campus. Lecturers are experts in their field and will inspire you by passing on their experience, skills and knowledge so you can take the message of the Gospel to children or young people in the 21st century in engaging and relevant ways.

Carefully chosen placements give hands-on experience of ministry and provide a context for wider learning and critical reflection on practice. Understanding the links between theory and practice is a key part of this course.

Course Overview

This course has been carefully and creatively designed to give you a  firm foundation on which to build your life and ministry. It will equip you to serve God in practical and relevant ways in today’s fast-changing world.

Year One
In year one, you are guided through core modules in theological and biblical studies. You also begin a practice module, building a portfolio of work throughout the year relating to your weekly placement.
Year Two
In year two, you further your analysis of biblical perspectives as well as continuing the practice module. At this point you begin to specialise more, studying optional modules that suit your particular area of interest and ministry.
Year Three
In year three, your studies focus heavily on your professional study modules; alongside a mixture of core study, practice, and optional modules. Your final year helps you integrate all you have learnt, in preparation for where God may be calling you next.
In years 2 and 3 (Levels 5 and 6) pathway-specific modules enable the student to develop critical thinking and practice in their chosen area of ministry. Students will choose one of the following four pathways:

Youth Ministry

Exploring essential concepts of informal education, spiritual development, and developmental theories, students are introduced to the professional study of missional youth work. The roles of the youth minister are analysed, with consideration given to working with groups, in teams, in church and in partnership with others.

It offers critical engagement with some of the more complex situations that you might find yourself in as a youth minister; considering ethical dilemmas, contemporary issues and the biases and baggage of the individual.

Children & Schools

This pathway explores the interaction between ethical, sociological and psychological theories and theological perspectives in relation to working with Children and Schools. This is a vital ministry that the Church in the UK and beyond is waking up to. 

These study modules help you to build theologies of childhood, faith development and education that underpin effective ministry. They will also encourage you to understand your God-given gifts and abilities in this field, and inspire you to serve God in ministering to children and schools.

 

Community & Families

These modules encourage participants to understand their own family and community stories, become aware of God’s plan for each of their lives in this context, and to share this with those who are struggling. 

Drawing on Biblical perspectives, the course critically examines all-age communities, how families relate, parenting, issues around divorce, the professional skills required to function effectively as a family worker and, in fact, just about everything to do with working alongside families in the context of their community.

Missional Leadership

The focus of this pathway is to equip and empower missional leaders in whatever sphere of Christian leadership they are called to serve in. It is ideal for those heading up ministries within a church setting or in the community, e.g. assistant minister, leadership intern, community café manager or student worker.

This course prepares the student for professional Christian service, and the interaction between theory and practice is a key feature. Topics include missional theology, church planting, creating missional communities and prophetic leadership; enabling the student to develop biblical and theological frameworks for leadership.

Ready to Apply?

If you would like to explore joining SWYM then please fill in an application form, and one of our team will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Apply Now

Moorlands and SWYM share the same vision and passion – to equip a new generation to be effective disciples of Jesus who can make effective disciples for Jesus.

Ian Coffey