Intensive Mode Study

Perhaps you've been thinking about some deeper study of the Bible, or perhaps God is nudging you toward full or part-time ministry, but family, church or work commitments make the move to Sydney, or even week-by-week attendance at lectures, just too out of reach for you.

For those in busy full-time employment or at a distance from Sydney - either in metropolitan areas, or in rural Australia - SMBC offers a flexible, comprehensive intensive mode study program.

Effectively it is part-time study at home with a week at SMBC in Sydney for face-to-face teaching. This offers the best of both worlds, with pre-reading and assignments done at home in your own time (with e-library access) and a focused week of teaching and study with your lecturer, plus interaction with fellow students.

You can complete an Australian College of Theology (ACT) Diploma of Theology (equivalent to the first year of the Bachelor of Theology) or a Graduate Diploma of Divinity (equivalent to the first year of the Master of Divinity) in four years by intensive mode study. That is, to gain these awards, you will need to complete 8 ACT units (subjects).

Alternatively, if you would prefer not to be assessed and sit exams, you can enrol as an 'audit' student. This suits people wanting to grow in their knowledge and love of God without the formality of assessments.

The details:

• Required readings will be advised on enrolment. You should begin these by the start date and have them completed before lecture week.
• Initial assignment is due on the first day of lecture week.
• Lecture week at SMBC includes face-to-face lectures and discussions. Morning tea and lunch are provided each day. (Note: in 2021 lectures will be held in hybrid mode)
• Essay/assignments are completed at home after the lecture week (delivered via online).
• Online access to lecturers available from start date until end date.
• E-library/library resources available from start date until end date.
• Limited onsite accommodation at SMBC may be available during the lecture week, with preference given to those travelling from regional locations.

AVAILABLE INTENSIVE UNITS

APPLY FOR PART-TIME STUDY

Here's what some of our Intensives students say:

"As a full-time worker, it enables me to take a week out to focus on study and finish my degree in a reasonable time-frame. We get the benefit of teaching from SMBC’s quality lecturers without the dilution of online study and to experience a study community face-to-face."

"I found the pre-reading really beneficial because it allowed me to engage with and reflect on the course content before coming to class. Intensive mode study helps me to think about the content in a deeper way."

"Being able to attend lectures without being tired after work and being able to saturate yourself with the content to the exclusion of other commitments."

"It's been the perfect way for me to balance work and study and get the most out of the lectures."

"Great to be able to have the lectures condensed into one week as I work and have young children (my husband has taken the week off work). Great to have a small group with informal, non-threatening discussion. Hope to do lots of the Biblical Theology subjects this way."

"I've really enjoyed the smaller group (as compared to the weekly, semester long lectures) because it's fostered lots of conversation between everyone. It feels more like a Bible study or tutorial than a lecture, but has been just as informative."

"I like this method of study. It was the ability to complete a whole course eg Graduate Diploma of Divinity, over time in this intensive mode that made me do what I had thought of doing ages ago."

"What a week! Opening the word of God, fully dedicated time to think and ponder it, and plenty of time for meeting new people."

"Being a wife and mum there aren’t too many opportunities to dig deep into the word. SMBC’s intensives provided the time to pray, study and fellowship together. This week has been encouraging and I am now refreshed through the word to continue teaching our children and serving our church."