Masters in Religious Education (Primary)

Last Updated: Friday, June 18, 2010, 16:48 by Paul Hegarty

The Masters in Religious Education (Primary) is jointly hosted by the Mater Dei Institute of Education and St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, both colleges of Dublin City University, the awarding body.

The Programme

MREd (Primary) students, in the main, are primary teachers wishing to enrich themselves intellectually and spiritually while, at the same time, seeking to improve the way they teach religion to the children in their charge. Priests and others with an interest in primary school religious education and catechetics have also enrolled in this programme. While many MREd graduates have continued teaching, a significant number also occupy positions as primary school religious education diocesan advisors, college lecturers, and directors of important catechetical initiatives. Others have secured positions as principals and post-holders in schools on the strength of their MREd(Primary) degree. Graduates of the programme have also contributed to publications in the area of primary religious education, given lectures and talks to various groups and organised and delivered religious education courses for teachers.

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

Modules

Students normally take two core modules and choose four electives.

Core pool:

  • Contemporary Methodologies in Primary Religious Education (Core)
  • Spirituality, Prayer and the Educator (Core)

Elective pool:

  • Christology in Dialogue with Culture Today
  • Contemporary Issues in Ecclesiology
  • Contemporary Issues in Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue
  • Creative Writing for Children
  • Faith and Culture in Ireland
  • Resourcing RE in a Digital Age
  • Virtual Learning Environments and RE
  • Psychology of Religious and Moral Change
  • The Church in the City: Early Christian Communities
  • The Cultures of the School and Religious Dimension of Education
  • The Denial of Death and the Eclipse of Hope
  • The History of Religious Education

In addition they must complete a Research Module, which includes a minor thesis. Further information on these modules is available here.

Access Programmes

Students, whose background in either theology or educational studies is deficient, will be required to complete relevant access programmes,normally through distance learning mode.

Awards

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of Master of Religious Education (Primary). One may also exit the programme at Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma level.

Scheduling

The programme is offered on both a full-time (one year) and part time basis (two years). Students normally attend lectures on two evenings a week. There are two Saturday sessions on writing and research skills during Semester 1 of the programme. Students will also be expected to participate in a Research Module, normally in the second semester of Year 1.

Programme Coordinators

Further information is available from the Programme Coordinators, Dr. Kevin Williams (Mater Dei) or Dr. Caroline Renehan (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra).

  • E-mail: ,
  • Telephone: (01) 808 6523 (Dr. Kevin Williams), (01) 884 2084 (Dr. Caroline Renehan)

Entry Requirements

  1. General Admissions Requirements
    • Applicants will normally hold an honours bachelor degree with a minimum of a second class honours grade two classification (2.2) and with academic subjects that pertain to the programme.
    • Applicants must also hold a relevant professional qualification (e.g. B.Ed, Grad Dip in Ed., BD).
    • An appropriate combination of non-degree qualifications and relevant professional experience may be accepted by the Programme Board as equivalent.
    • The application process for admission may include an interview. References must also be provided, if requested.
    • Applications for admission are approved by the Registrar in consultation with the Chair of the relevant Programme Board.
  2. Specific Requirements for Masters in Religious Education (Primary)
    • Application is made to St. Patricks College Drumcondra.

Application

Application is made through St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. If you are interested in this programme please contact Ms Therese Savage.

  • E-mail:
  • Telephone: (01) 884 2013

Fees and Grants

  • Full-time fee for 2009/10 amounts to €5,600
  • Part-time fee for 2009/10 amounts to €2,800

Apply by

June 11th 2010. However late applications may also be considered.