Mater Dei Institute

The Bachelor of Religious Education with History is a four-year degree programme comprising three areas:

• Religious Studies
• Education (theory and practice) and
• History

It is a teacher education programme which provides all of the academic and professional formation required to become a second-level teacher of Religious Education and History up to and including Honours Leaving Certificate level. Upon completion of the four years of study graduates are recognised teachers and can apply immediately for employment in second-level schools.

The teacher education programme in Mater Dei Institute is "concurrent" – meaning that the academic and professional formation of the teacher is integrated into all four years of the programme. This is in contrast with the "consecutive model" where students first complete an undergraduate degree and must then apply for entry to the Postgraudate Diploma in Education (Higher Diploma in Education) in order to qualify as a second-level teacher.

The Bachelor of Religious Education degree is both an academic and a professional qualification. It is a formation in becoming a teacher of Religious Education and English. This means that while in the Institute, students will be growing in appreciation of teaching as a noble, demanding and highly responsible profession.

Programme Content

1. Religious Studies

Religious Studies is a major area of study in MDI. Its component subjects include: Systematic and Moral Theology, Scripture, Religious Education and Philosophy

These subjects are intended to contribute to the academic and intellectual formation of students, to foster personal faith and a capacity to respond to the challenges of contemporary society from a Christian perspective, with an awareness of other faith traditions and a commitment to global and social justice.

In addition, a variety of opportunities for faith development are also offered including liturgy & prayer, retreat weekends, reflection days and social justice groups. While not part of the assessed content of the course, these are essential elements in the formation of a religious educator.

2. Education (Theory & Practice)

The School of Education pride themselves on providing a student-friendly, supportive, open, dynamic and practical approach to the study of Education. Given its diverse nature, the study of Education and Religious Education is exciting, engaging, and challenging; something that is reflected in the variety of modules on offer to students over the course of their 4 years in MDI. Within these vibrant modules students are exposed to a range of educational theories and approaches.

Some of these include: Religious Education • Psychology of Education • Philosophy of Education • History of Education •Special Needs Education • Child Protection Policies •Inter-cultural Education • Gender in Education • Educational Disadvantage • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Education • Curriculum Studies

Lectures, tutorials and workshops in Education aim to give students a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning and prepare them as teachers of RE and a Humanities subject in post-primary schools. Each year, students develop their teaching skills under the guidance of experienced tutors who are practicing teachers. Students undertake periods of teaching placement in both primary and post-primary schools.

The following programme elements structure the student-teachers' professional development:

• Instruction in teaching skills and methodologies
• Guided practice of teaching in controlled environments
• Assistance in the preparation of teaching plans, resources and materials
• School-based teaching practice
• Tutoring, supervision, profiling and feedback

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) forms an integral aspect of MDI's approach to preparation for the teaching profession. As well as underpinning the students' own professional development using the Institutes state of the art ICT infrastructure, student-teachers are also introduced to a range of resources and approaches so as to enable them to teach in the information and digital age.

Teaching Practice
One of the most exciting and rewarding elements of Education is our hands-on approach to teaching practice. We work hard to ensure that every student is supported throughout their various teaching practice experiences. We assist students in their development as educators of the future by assigning them to a team of teaching practice supervisors each year. Using a variety of approaches including training in up-to-the-minute teaching methods, peer-teaching, micro-teaching and school placements, students are given the opportunity to engage with a range of teaching environments ensuring that they develop the skills necessary for teaching in the 21st century classroom.

Structure of Teaching Placements
• Year 1: Foundation Teaching Practice (FTP) Teaching Junior Primary School Pupils
• Year 2: Intermediate Teaching Practice (ITP) Teaching Junior/Senior Primary School Pupils
• Year 3: Advanced Teaching Practice (ATP) Teaching Secondary School Pupils
• Year 4: Advanced Teaching Practice (ATP) Teaching Secondary School Pupils

Ethos and Teaching Placements

During teaching placements students are required to respect both the ethos of the host placement school and the constitutional and legal rights of parents concerning the Religious Education provided to their children.

Garda Vetting

All students are required to undertake teaching practice placements as part of the B. Rel. Ed. programme, and will be subject to a Garda vetting procedure prior to registration.

3. History

History, for one historian, was "little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind". A somewhat more optimistic view might be possible as we range over the diverse activities of medieval monks and Renaissance artists, social revolutionaries and twentieth-century dictators, not to mention the alleged heroes and villains of Irish history. Along with political history, the programme emphasises social, economic and cultural developments, together with world-changing documents, books and ideas. The overall objective of the programme is to develop a knowledge of the past and, from the turmoil of past ideas and events, an understanding of how the modern world has emerged.

Module Descriptors

For a full list of module descriptors and learning outcomes please visit http://courses.materdei.ie and click 'Teacher Education'.

Career Opportunities

On completion of this course, graduates are qualified to:

• Teach up to and including Honours Leaving Certificate Level in History and Religious Education.

The majority of graduates obtain teaching positions in Ireland and abroad. Other opportunities exist in a variety of careers such as broadcasting, journalism and parish ministry. Many graduates have also pursued taught postgraduate programmes and research at MDI and other leading colleges.

Entry Requirements

All applicants under 23, except mature applicants, must meet the matriculation requirements of MDI as follows: Leaving Certificate or equivalent with a minimum of two recognised subjects at higher level grade HC3 and four at ordinary or higher level grade D3.

Subject Requirements

Six subjects must include:

1. Maths and
2. English or Irish

Access Route

For information relating to Access (HEAR/DARE), visit our Promoting Access page.

Mature Application

Mature applicants only. Visit our Mature Information section.

FETAC Route

For FETAC information visit our FETAC section.

Duration

4 Years

Qualification Letters

B.Rel.Ed.

Awarding Body

Dublin City University

Points for Entry in 2011

395

Application

Through the CAO (Central Applications Office): http://www.cao.ie. Course code: MD301

Course Commences

September 2012

Undergradaute Prospectus 2012

• Admissions Office, Mater Dei Institute of Education, Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3.
• Tel: (01) 808 6518 (Admissions) - (01) 808 6500 (College)
• Fax: (01) 837 0776
• E-mail: admissions@materdei.dcu.ie