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    Pastoral Theology is particularly designed for students entering some form of church ministry.

    Papers in Pastoral Theology offer a multidisciplinary study of church life, offering students the opportunity to reflect on the practice of Christian ministry.


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    Learn about studying Pastoral Studies as an undergraduate at Otago.

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    Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Postgraduate qualifications

    Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.

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    Programme details

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    Papers

    Papers
    • PAST 490 Dissertation

    • Three further 400-level PAST or MINS papers

      One 400-level BIBS, CHTH or RELS paper may be substituted for one 400-level PAST or MINS paper.Note: Some variations may be possible. For further details consult the University of Otago Calendar or the Head of the Theology Programme.

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    PAST papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    PAST216 2026 Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care 18 points Semester 1
    PAST219 2026 Christian Witness in a Secular World 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST225 2026 Special Topic: Pastoral Theology: Moana-Pacific Perspectives 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST307 2026 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST311 2026 Preaching and Communication in a Contemporary Context 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST314 2026 Cultures, Migration and Faith 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST316 2026 Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1
    PAST318 2026 Pastoral Care in Dying, Grief and Loss 18 points Semester 2
    PAST319 2026 Christian Witness in a Secular World 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST320 2026 Church in Mission: Theology in Changing Cultures 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST321 2026 Missional God, Missional People 18 points Semester 2
    PAST322 2026 Christian Theology and the Arts 18 points Semester 2 (6 July 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    PAST323 2026 Christian ministry in te ao Māori (the Māori World) 18 points 1st Non standard period (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026)
    PAST324 2026 The Chaplain as Ceremonial Leader 18 points Semester 1
    PAST325 2026 Special Topic: Pastoral Theology: Moana-Pacific Perspectives (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2026
    PAST326 2026 Pastoral Theology: Pacific Perspectives 18 points Semester 1
    PAST490 2026 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 2nd Non standard period (10 July 2026 - 2 July 2027), 3rd Non standard period (10 July 2026 - 2 July 2027)

    Contacts

    Email  theology@otago.ac.nz
    Website  otago.ac.nz/theology


    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

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