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 candidates 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 a Masters 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 Masters programme further enables candidates 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 an honours primary degree in which Theology comprises at least an equal joint honours component. Applicants should normally have obtained at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I overall, and Second Class Honours, Grade I in Theology. Applicants should also have significant experience in ministry practice. Individual and group interviews form an essential part of the selection process.



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. In particular, applicants who have obtained a minimum 2H1 in the Higher Diploma in Pastoral Theology (level 8) may be considered for admission to a one-year MTh (level 9) in Pastoral Theology. As part of the application process, such applicants will submit a Major Essay (5,000–7,000 words) on a topic relevant to Pastoral Ministry, written under the supervision of a member of the Faculty. The evaluation of this essay will form part of the admission interview, and its content may provide a foundation for the eventual Masters dissertation.



Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirements of St Patrick’s Pontifical University.



St Patrick’s Pontifical University also accepts applications to its programmes from all prospective students who possess the ability, knowledge and experience through its widening participation schemes. The University operates a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)and Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme which recognises relevant prior learning and experience for admission and/or credit purposes. Full details are available on the University website.



If you have any queries please contact admissions@spcm.ie

Application Deadline:



30th April 2025

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



01st March 2025

For non EU

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

Course Start Date: September 2025

- Parish Pastoral Ministry

- Education and health care chaplaincy

- Catechesis & Faith Development

- Sacramental Preparation Coordination

- Retreat Ministry

- Continued academic studies in pastoral theology