Further Research
![]()
By integrating theory and practice, ACOM aims to produce well-formed thought leaders who will provide solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
For students interested in research, ACOM has a long history of providing innovative, transformational research designed to improve professional practice. Student researchers are encouraged to learn through experimentation, discovery and adventure. By integrating theory and practice, ACOM aims to produce well-formed thought leaders who will provide solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
ACOM students conduct research within the context of their ministry passion, grounded in local work, ministry or the community. The research process helps students to identify a problem that needs a solution, ask effective questions, challenge assumptions, collect data and establish clear conclusions.
These are essential skills for leaders who must adapt quickly to a complex and changing community context. This process is connected to rigorous scholarship and deep personal spiritual formation. Students can undertake small or medium-sized research projects within their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. In partnership with the Sydney College of Divinity, the ACOM research faculty can help guide students to ensure they have a clear pathway to continuing research through the Sydney College of Divinity’s Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Theology.
An effective and life-changing research experience requires outstanding supervision. At ACOM, we are committed to excellence in this area. Our research supervisors are not simply academic theorists; they are also ministry practitioners living at the coalface of effective mission and ministry.
As such, they emphasise a multidisciplinary approach, which is mission focused, theologically reflective, spirit empowered, biblically grounded, academically rigorous, practically oriented and spiritually formative.
![]()
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is an advanced professional doctorate for ministry leaders, designed to provide students with resources to enhance their leadership in the practice of Christian ministry.
This course integrates a student’s vocation and calling with their context of ministry while drawing on sources of theology through the Christian tradition to develop new skills and enhance competencies in ministerial leadership. Students will have an opportunity to dive deep into their ministry context, identify a ministry challenge, and use resources from the course to design a meaningfully transformative response.
Students will also develop an advanced theology of ministry practice, while attending to their own formation and development as a ministerial leader. The Doctor of Ministry is designed to assist students to make a practical and meaningful contribution in their ministry context and beyond.
Interested in learning more? See our brochure here.
![]()
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced study in a theologically-related area through research at the highest academic level. It is designed for those who seek to further their study in a specialist area (and can include interdisciplinary research). The PhD also offers research training and experience to support an academic or professional career involving research.
The PhD is undertaken by research and thesis alone. It provides the opportunity for candidates to embark on a significant extended piece of research that investigates a theologically-related topic in a systematic, creative and comprehensive manner not available in coursework programmes.
![]()
Doctor of Theology
The Doctor of Theology (ThD) provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced study through research at the highest academic level. It is designed for those who seek to further their study specifically in theology. The ThD also offers research training and experience to support an academic or professional career involving research.
The ThD is undertaken by research and thesis alone. It provides the opportunity for candidates to embark on a significant extended piece of research that investigates theology in a systematic, creative and comprehensive manner not available in coursework programmes.
