The Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology consists of:

• Six (6) Core Units
  
• Three (3) Elective Units 
  

The Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology consists of:

• Six (6) Core Units
•  Four (4) Elective Units

In order to be awarded the full qualification you will need to be assessed as competent in all of the above. Your competency can be assessed through evidence you provide for RPL or through the completion of assessment items (gap training).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the formal acknowledgment of knowledge and skills obtained through activities such as:

• Formal Courses and training programs (e.g. at University or TAFE)
  
• Informal Courses or training (e.g. a non-accredited program completed in preparation for/during ministry involvement)
• Private study (e.g. done for enjoyment via internet)
• Employment (e.g. skills and knowledge gained through employment)
• Ministry Involvement  (e.g. skills and knowledge gained through ministry involvement at your church)

The term “RPL” is the term used to include, or be equivalent to “Credit”. RPL is “credit” given as a result of past studies, and past or current experience.

The evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit of competency. Some examples of evidence include:

• Past Studies
• copies of qualifications you have received & academic transcripts showing exact subjects or topics
• actual work you completed for past studies (eg Essays or assignments)

• Workplace Documents produced by you (in paid or non paid ministry involvement)
• Producing completed items, ministry notes/journals/messages
• learning materials  (i.e study notes, journals, conference /leadership notes, reflections)
• Assessment tools (written tests, essays etc)

• Audio/Video Recordings
• Eg Of you teaching or assessing
• Third Party Reports
• references from your employers
• supervisors reports
• Student testimonials
• Peer/colleague testimonials
• Any Other Evidence
• E.g. Documents from workshops, seminars and conferences, demonstration in simulated environment, oral presentation to assessor, interview.

Please refer to the Initial RPL Application for suggested evidence for different units of competency. 

RPL can only be given to a person where they have the evidence that is:

• Valid – the evidence represents and matches the unit’s requirements
  
• Sufficient – the evidence is enough to show that you are competent in all of the requirements of the unit
  
• Authentic – it can be verified that the evidence you have submitted is genuinely your own work, qualifications, experience etc.
  
• Current – the evidence shows your current ability and how it meets current industry standards

You can claim RPL for as many Units as you can provide evidence for. If you submit appropriate evidence for all of the units, and an assessor deems that the evidence does show you are competent, then RPL can be granted for the full Certificate IV or Diploma in Christian Ministry and Theology. 

If you are not able to receive full RPL, you will be advised of what ‘gap’ training and assessment is needed in order for you to receive the full Certificate IV or Diploma.

Generally this will depend on how long it takes for you to gather and provide the evidence, and how easy it is for the assessor to confirm that the evidence is valid, sufficient, authentic and current. It will also depend on how much (if any) gap training is required.

RPL will cost between $1100 and $4400, depending on how much RPL you are eligible to receive, how you pay your course fees (i.e. upfront or payment plan) and which level of qualification you would like to achieve (i.e. Certificate IV or Diploma). 

If you would like an estimate of how much RPL might cost for you please email your resume and contact details to admin@christianministry.com.au 

Enrolling in the Christian Ministry and Theology Course just takes three simple steps:

1. Download and complete an enrolment form
2. Send it to us by fax, scan & email or post
3. Administration staff will see on your enrolment form that you wish to complete the course via RPL (please indicate on form). They will email you to confirm that you have seen this guide and ask you to complete the RPL Application Registration form. If you have any questions administration staff will assist you or direct your questions to a trainer who can assist you. 

The best way to find out how many units you can get RPL for is to read through the Initial RPL assessment form and have a look at the ‘Elements of Competency’, ‘Essential Knowledge and Skills’, and the ‘Evidence Required’ columns. This will give you an idea of the existing skills or knowledge that you need to have and what sort of evidence you’ll need to be able to produce/collect. 

If you find that there are a lot of units that you don’t have the experience or evidence for, you may want to look at doing the course via distance education or in one of our class locations.