​Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is the term used to include or be equivalent to: “credit”. 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 or 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)

Students competency in all or part of the course or units can be assessed assessed through:

• Completion of the assessment in the normal manner (as a student)
• Evidence that you can provide for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• A combination of both of the above

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RPL in relation to Christian Ministry

​In order to get RPL for the CMT Units you generally need to be someone who prepares and delivers Bible based messages to groups of people on a regular basis. Also, generally, you need to have complete copies of these messages in:

• Written format

AND

• Audio or video format

 
These messages that you have produced and delivered must prove that you have done the following:

• Given Bible based teaching on a range of topics
• In your teaching you must have explained to the listeners how your ideas compare with other points of view (or opinions) on the same topics eg you may have been teaching on the subject of “giving” and discussed what others believe about it (which you would disagree with and given a reason for that disagreement)
• Applied the teaching of the Bible to Church life
• Applied Bible based teaching to real life issues including ethical and moral issues
• Used and referred to at least four (4) Bible study aides such as (but not limited to):
  • Expository bible dictionaries
  • Bible commentaries
  • Bible encyclopedia
  • Greek and Hebrew lexicons
  • Topical Bibles
  • Internet resources
  • Christian books and other publication
    
    

Generally, it would be expected that you could provide the following:

• written outlines for at least a dozen (12) different messages that you have delivered within the previous three (3) years
• complete audio or video recordings of at least 3 of these messages

 
In these messages would need to have addressed all the requirements outlined above.
 
When your RPL assessor looks at your message outlines and listens to the recordings they will need to see that you have done everything in your messages that the course units require a student to do if they are completing the Course from scratch.
 
Contact us for our RPL Guide which provides a detailed outline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What evidence do I need to provide?

Evidence that might help to show how you meet the requirements of the Christian Ministry Units include:

• Written notes / presentations from messages you have delivered
  
• Video or audio recordings of messages you have delivered 
• Written material that you have produced through previous formal training (e.g. at University or other institutions such as Bible Colleges)
• Work that you have done during informal courses or training (e.g. non-accredited studies completed for volunteer work in churches)
• Evidence of private Bible studies that you have done in your own time (e.g. at home to learn more about the Bible)
• References from people who have heard you deliver messages
• References from supervisors who have received reports of the quality and impact of the delivery of your messages

 
Note: these documents would need to provide evidence of you meeting specific course and unit requirements as outlined in the RPL Guide.

How much evidence do i need?

In general terms, RPL can only be given to a person where they have evidence that is determined by a qualified assessor to be:

• Sufficient – enough to show that you meet the requirements in the Course documents
• Valid – it  represents and matches the course requirements
• Authentic – what you have submitted is genuinely your own work, qualifications, experience, etc
• Current – not too far out of date and also that it meets current course requirements

How much RPL can I apply for?

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 qualification.

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 qualification.

How much does RPL Reduce the fee by?

In some cases RPL can reduce both the time it takes to complete  the course and the course fee. 
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The standard process for finding out how much the course fee for RPL will be is as follows:

1. You send us an initial bank of evidence in support of your RPL application.
2. We review and give you an estimate of how much RPL you may get.
3. We provide you with a special quoted price for the course (if RPL applies).
4. If you are happy to proceed, then you enrol and pay the course fee when you enrol.
5. You complete the CMT RPL guide and supply any further evidence required in relation to your RPL application.
6. You complete any necessary 'gap training' if required.

How long does the RPL process take?

​Generally, the length of time that the RPL process will take depends on:

• how long it takes for you to gather and provide the evidence,
• how well your evidence is presented
• and how easy it is for the assessor to evaluate that the evidence and determine if it meets the requirements or not
• how much work is involved for the assessor to communicate the findings to you

The more thoroughly you complete the relevant sections of the RPL Guide, and the more clearly you link the evidence to the relevant Units, the quicker the process.

Applying for RPL

To make an RPL submission please follow this process:

1. Email a summary of your Christian Ministry experience to [email protected] and explain that you are hoping to get your RPL.
2. We will contact you to discuss the RPL process and fee (depending on how much RPL you are eligible for). 
3. If you decide to proceed, enrol in the course (Cert IV or Diploma) for which you are seeking RPL.
4. Complete the RPL guide to make the formal RPL submission.

 

How much RPL could you receive?

Complete the below form to get an idea of how much RPL you could potentially receive.

RPL Estimate

 

Upgrading from a Cert IV to Diploma

If you complete our 11237NAT Certificate IV in Christian Minsitry and Theology, then you can get direct credit for some of the units in the 11238NAT Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. This process would involve you getting recognition for the learning you have completed during the Certificate IV and would reduce the amount of work and cost to complete the Diploma. 

The exact amount of credit you can receive will depend on which units and option subjects that you completed in the Certificate IV. Contact us for a tailored estimate and reduced fee quote. 

Contact Us

 

RPL Guide

Certificate IV

Cert IV - RPL Guide (Word version)
File Size:	2397 kb
File Type:	docx

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Cert IV - RPL Guide (PDF version)
File Size:	854 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Dip​lom​a

Diploma - RPL Guide (Word version)
File Size:	2376 kb
File Type:	docx

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Diploma - RPL Guide (PDF version)
File Size:	786 kb
File Type:	pdf

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