What Can You Study?

By Duncan Corby

So far we’ve talked about what makes Hillsong College unique, and how we approach your holistic development as a leader.

You’re probably wondering by now how our course is actually structured, and how you can get training that develops your leadership and your gifts and passions.
 
Our course is structured around three tiers of training, each one building on the other, and giving you more and more opportunity to customize your training around your area of calling.
 
The first tier is what we call CORE. This is the foundational tier done by all students, and develops your knowledge and skills in Bible, Theology and Leadership.

It is core for everyone because, regardless of which area of ministry you might end up focusing on, everyone needs to be able to read and study the Bible for themselves, think through and apply their Christian faith, and be able to lead themselves and others. The lectures and tutorials for your Core subjects make up around forty percent of your total course.
 
On top of this foundation is the second tier, which we call STREAMS. This is your first opportunity to customize your training to your area of interest. A stream is a collection of subjects focused around a particular area of ministry. Each student chooses one Stream.

The stream options are:

Worship Music – designed to equip students who have a heart for worship to be worship leaders, vocalists, musicians and songwriters.

Pastoral Leadership – prepares students for a wide range of leadership and pastoral roles in local church settings, all the way up to senior pastor.

TV & Media – develops the technical knowledge and skills needed by those who want to harness the communication power of TV for the Church and the gospel.

Dance – builds dance, choreography and artistic leadership for those who have a passion to worship God and communicate the gospel through the medium of dance.
 
Your Stream lectures, tutorials and workshops make up around twenty-five percent of your total course.
 
Finally, you can tailor your training even further through our third tier, which we call PATHWAYS. This is where most of your practical ministry is going to be focused. It is an opportunity for you to get hands-on training and experience in a very focused area of ministry that corresponds with your passion. There are a large and diverse range of pathway options that include – church leadership, worship, youth, young adults, kids, pastoral care, social justice, events,  production, TV and Dance (see the website for more details). Your Pathway, which also includes an introductory subject for your specific area of ministry, makes up the remaining thirty-five percent of your course.
 
So how does this all fit together? Well if, for example, you have a desire to work with young people, you would do Core subjects, then choose the Pastoral Leadership Stream, and then choose the Youth Pathway. Or, if your passion was worship, then you’d do Core, then choose the Worship Music Stream, and then the Worship Pathway.
 
Next time … how are the three years of our course different?
 
By Duncan Corby

Course Development Manager

Hillsong International Leadership College