Religious Studies

The part-time Certificate in Religious Studies prepares primary teachers to teach in Catholic schools in accordance with the requirements of the Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference. In making appointments, Catholic school management boards will normally require the CRS as a condition of employment. As well as being recognised as a qualification to teach Religious Education in Irish Catholic primary schools,the CRS is also accepted by some of the Catholic elementary school systems in the UK, North America and Australia.

Subjects taught

Academic Structures
Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, Certificate in Religious Study (P/T)
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Part-time Programme Structure
Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CCE501 Religious Education 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CCE502 Introduction to Theology 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CCE503 Spirituality, Liturgy & Sacraments 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
CCE504 Moral & Systematic Theology 5 Semester 2 0 100 1

Entry requirements

Entry to the part time Certificate in Religious Studies is open to any teacher with a recognised qualification (Level 8, Pass Degree / Third Class degree from Ireland or elsewhere) to teach in a primary school in Ireland.

Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If, however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.

Personal Statement of 250 words maximum outlining your reasons for applying.

Application dates

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

EU Applicants
Online applications open on 23rd October 2023
Closing Date for EU applications is 5th July 2024

Non EU Applicants
Online applications open on 23rd October 2023
Closing Date for EU applications is 1st July 2024

To apply for this programme:

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available at the Application Weblink.

• Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.

• Personal Statement of 250 words maximum outlining your reasons for applying

• If you require a study visa and are a non EU student, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes, as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

• All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Queries
Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie.
Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to internationaladmissions@dcu.ie.

Duration

1 year part-time.

Enrolment dates

The programme commences in September 2024.

Post Course Info

Teachers applying for positions in Catholic primary schools in Ireland are required to hold a qualification equipping them to teach religion according to the tenets of the Catholic faith. The Certificate in Religious Studies (CRS) offered by DCU meets the requirements of the Irish Episcopal Conference in this regard and graduates have been successful in obtaining positions in Catholic primary schools.

More details
  • Attendance type

    Part time

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    Course provider