Theology - Pastoral Theology

At this level, ministers are enabled to take significant responsibility for the work of individuals and groups, and for leading and initiating mission-focused activity in a wide (and sometimes unpredictable) variety of professional levels and contexts. Students develop new skills to a high level, including novel and emerging approaches in professional ministry, especially within the areas of leadership in public prayer, pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment, and building and strengthening community. Students learn complex and advanced skills to teach in diverse settings, provide effective catechetical and faith formation, and exercise responsible stewardship of parish personnel and resources.



This level allows students to develop a critical awareness of current issues of pastoral concern informed by scholarship from the forefront of pertinent fields of theological learning, and a systematic understanding of theological knowledge as it relates to his/her experiences in life and ministry practice. Each student completes an MTh dissertation that presents a rigorous, in-depth, and critical examination of a particular pastoral area or issue situated at the interface of academic theology and contemporary ministry. In doing so, the student acquires a mastery in specialised techniques of reflection and enquiry, and methods of research, forming an ability to scrutinise and reflect on the changing ministerial landscape, articulate an informed pastoral response, while seeking to contribute to transforming ministerial practice leading to growth or change.



This MTh programme further enables students to:



examine existing procedural approaches and exercise appropriate judgment in complex planning, leading groups, and managing resources;

learn to self-evaluate and take responsibility for forming a habit of reflective practice for ministry and for continuing academic and professional development;

express a comprehensive, internalised, personal worldview, achieving self-awareness and critical reflection as these relate to pastoral ministry;

engage in critical dialogue and face the demands of making collaborative ministry work;

exercise initiative and independent thought, to interact intelligently, empathically, ethically, and professionally within their ministerial context;

differentiate appropriate ministerial approaches to formulate pastoral responses to complex situations in pastoral contexts, and act to change them.

Year One

Pastoral Practice 30 Credits

PT 430: Pastoral Practice



Prayer Leadership. 10 Credits

PT 431: Prayer Leadership



Caring and Spiritual Accompaniment. 10 Credits

PT 432: Caring and Spiritual Accompaniment in Community



Theology and Pastoral Ministry. 10 Credits

PT 434: Theology and Pastoral Ministry



Organisational Leadership in Ministry Contexts. 5 Credits

PT 435: Organisational Leadership in Ministry Contexts



Healthcare Chaplaincy: Ministry of Presence and Visitation. 5 Credits

PT 437: Healthcare Chaplaincy: Ministry of Presence and Visitation



Educational Chaplaincy: Ministry of Catechesis and Faith Formation. 5 Credits

PT 438: Educational Chaplaincy: Ministry of Catechesis and Faith Formation



Year One or Two

Required Module - 10 Credits

PG 523 ‘Emancipating’ Practical Theology



Elective Module - 10 Credits

Choice module from Postgraduate Seminar options



Year Two

Thesis - 30 Credits

Minor Dissertation Pastoral Theology



CPE

Under Stream One - Pastoral Practice

Clinical Pastoral Education

The minimum entry requirement for the programme is a primary degree in which Theology comprises at least an equal joint component. Candidates should normally have obtained at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I overall, and Second Class Honours, Grade I in Theology. Candidates should also have significant experience in ministry practice. The Faculty of Theology may also accept applicants whom it deems to have achieved an equivalent standard. They may be required to take additional courses in Theology to qualify for admission.

Application Deadline: 01st April 2024

For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications may be considered).

01st April 2024 For non EU

2 years full-time or 3 years part-time.

Course Start Date: September 2024

- Parish Pastoral Ministry

- Education and health care chaplaincy

- Catechesis & Faith Development

- Sacramental Preparation Coordination

- Retreat Ministry

- Continued academic studies in pastoral theology