MA in Religion and Education - Post Primary

Last Updated: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 13:10 by Paul Hegarty

Religious Education (Post Primary) - Thumbnail brochure 2010

The Programme

  • Are you interested in Religious Education in post primary schools?
  • Would you like to reflect on RE as an examination subject?
  • Have you wondered how RE best fits into the whole school ethos, and contributes to pupils’ ongoing development?
  • Do you feel the challenges of intercultural inter-religious dialogue within the school?

This programme of studies focuses on the teaching of Religious Education in post primary schools. It encourages reflection on RE as an examination subject at both Junior and Leaving Certificate levels, as well as for Leaving Certificate Applied and stimulates new approaches for non-examination RE at senior cycle level. It locates the teaching of classroom RE within the religious dimension of the whole school, its ethos and characteristic spirit. It assists religious educators to contribute to the spiritual and moral development of their students and to become aware of their own ongoing faith development and spiritual growth. A particular concern is to support religious educators as they explore appropriate ways of engaging with intercultural and inter-religious dialogue in the school.

It should be noted that the programme does not lead to a teaching qualification in Religious Education.

Modules

Participants who wish to obtain a Master's Award take six taught modules from among the following:

  • Designing and Resourcing Senior Cycle Religious Education (Core)
  • Principles of Faith Development (Core)
  • Christology in Dialogue with Culture Today (Core)
  • Spirituality, Ritual and Adolescence
  • Anthropology, Ethics and Politics: Directions in Contemporary Theology
  • Contemporary Continental Philosophy and the Question of God
  • Contemporary Issues in Ecclesiology
  • Contemporary Issues in Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue
  • Faith and Culture in Ireland
  • Gospel and Gospels: Issues in Contemporary Biblical Interpretation
  • Resourcing RE in a Digital Age
  • Virtual Learning Environments and RE
  • Psychology of Religious and Moral Change
  • Religion and Culture of the Jewish People
  • Sacramental Theology and Ritual
  • The Cultures of the School and Religious Dimension of Education
  • The Denial of Death and the Eclipse of Hope
  • The Irish Religious Experience
  • The Church in the City: Early Christian Communities

In addition they must complete a Research Module, which includes a minor thesis.

Further information on these modules is available here.

Awards

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award Master of Arts in Religion and Education. It is also possible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Religion and Education or a Graduate Certificate in Religion and Education. It is also possible to audit individual modules without obtaining an award.

Scheduling

The programme may be taken on a fulltime (one full year) or part time basis (two years).

Programme Coordinator

Further information is available from the Programme Coordinator, Dr. Elaine Mc Donald

  • E-mail:
  • Telephone: (01) 808 6539

Entry Requirements

  • The normal requirement for admission to the M.A. in Religion & Education is a 2.2 primary degree or equivalent.
  • Theology or Religious Education or Religious Studies must be a major element of the primary degree.
  • Applicants must hold a professional teaching qualification or have equivalent teaching experience.
  • Students who do not meet the normal criteria may be considered for a place on the programme on the basis of their work experience and other relevant educational achievements.
  • Applicants seeking Accreditation of Prior (Certified) Learning (APL) for the purposes of entry, module exemptions, or advanced entry, or applicants seeking Accreditation of Prior Experiental Learning (APEL) for the purposes of enrty or module exemptions will also be considered.

Fees and Grants

For Fees and Grants info click here.

Application

Application forms available here. Further information is also available from Admissions. You can contact us by:

  • E-mail:
  • or by calling (01) 808 6518

Apply by

June 30th 2010, however late applications will be considered up until August 27th 2010.