Pastoral Theology

MA, PG Dip, PG Cert

Part-Time

Course overview

This taught course is intended to deepen the theological skills and perceptions of those actively engaged in ministry and those preparing for ministry in the church. To obtain the MA, you will be required to complete four taught modules (one of which is compulsory) and a 15,000-word dissertation. Various assessment methods are used, typically consisting of a combination of seminar, presentation and essay although assessment is never through unseen examination.

Additional course information

This course will:
  • deepen the theological skills and perceptions of those in, or training for ministry, in relation to the multiplicity of ministerial tasks
  • offer professional postgraduate qualifications as a regional resource for continuing ministerial education
  • offer postgraduate qualifications as part of the portfolio of opportunities within the federation for initial ministerial education
  • offer postgraduate qualifications as part of initial or continuing ministerial education, or to enhance work of educators or those in community-based projects, or serve as preparation for more advanced academic research
  • foster dialogue between different Christian faith traditions
  • advance knowledge and understanding of theology and religious studies, within a context involving a variety of theological and cognate disciplines
  • maximise access and opportunities for study through diverse modes of delivery
  • offer a wide choice of modules to allow the pursuit of specific interests and specialisations in conjunction with a compulsory core module that is foundational for the understanding and skills of the discipline.

Module guide

Core modules
  • Pastoral Theology in History and Practice

    This module is foundational for the understanding and skills of the discipline. It will elucidate the contextual, praxis-oriented nature of pastoral theology, and will identify appropriate tools, methods and resources for engagement with the discipline as a foundation for other modules. The study will be placed in a historical perspective, and you will be invited to make an analysis of the social and theological factors which shape pastoral practice within your Christian communities. Your own context and practice will be a key focus in this module.

Assessment

Assessment varies from module to module. Overall, assessment for each module is set at the equivalent of a 6,000-word essay. Assessment methods include: essay, seminar presentation, research project, dissertation, placement report, a placement supervisor's report or practical exercises.

The assessment methods used will assess intellectual skills, including the ability to articulate and present information and concepts; practical skills through work-based placement and/or through assessed class exercises; affective skills through the assessment of the handling of seminars as well as through the explicit requirement for reflection on personal practice and development in written assignments. All the above skills are transferable and are specifically required in the employment context from which you come, and will go to.

Teaching times

Each module offers 24 hours of class contact time and is usually taught in 10 seminar-based sessions of two and a half hours, normally held on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 12.00 to 3.15, with a break for lunch, and on Tuesday evenings. One exception is Pastoral Reflective Practice for Health Care, which has group sessions on Monday mornings and practical sessions by arrangement.

Some modules may also be offered on an extended basis, with classes at fortnightly intervals through the two Semesters. Modules are also offered across the two semesters on 6 Saturdays in Chelmsford, Norwich and St. Albans. In most years at least one module is offered through a ten-day Summer School.

Facilities

You will have access to the libraries of all Cambridge Theological Federation member colleges and their specialist collections.

Special features

As a Theological Federation comprising Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and United Reformed communities, as well as the Eastern Region Ministry Course, which is itself ecumenical, and including associate institutions such as a centre for Jewish-Christian and Jewish-Muslim relations, a centre for mission studies, and two Diocesan Ministry courses, we have a unique contribution to make to theological education, ecumenical relations and interfaith dialogue.

The theological education we offer is ecumenical, both on its content and form. It is centred in an ongoing conversation around The Bible, our respective traditions and the work of God in the contemporary world.

Links with industry and professional recognition

This degree is recognised by the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church as part of the training for ordination and for Continuing Ministerial Education (CME). We also have links with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy.

Work placements

During this course you will have the opportunity to complete a placement in a specific context appropriate to your learning needs (i.e. in a hospital, hospice, prison, school, psychiatric unit, inner-city area, farm, youth club) which may be full or part-time (150 hours in all). You will be supervised by someone who works in the placement context.

The Pastoral Reflective Practice Healthcare Chaplaincy module offers a placement of 200 hours of practical experience in a range of health care contexts, and 100 hours reflection on experience and guided reading, including work with a trained supervisor and a peer group.

Associated careers

This course can be used as part of initial or continuing ministerial education, to enhance the work of educators or those in community-based projects, or as preparation for more advanced academic research.
Entry Requirements: Evidence of ability to work at Masters Level Evidence of prior learning in Theology or Religious Studies Evidence of engagement in Christian pastoral work Non-Academic Conditions: Interviews

How to apply

If you're interested in finding out more about this course please contact Cambridge Theological Federation at pg-enquiries@
theofed.cam.ac.uk

Location

  • Cambridge Theological Federation

Find out more about this location

Duration

5 years maximum

Teaching times*

Normally Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 12.00 to 3.15. See Course detail tab for more information.

Available starts

September, January

Student finance


Delivered at

Cambridge Theological Federation

Faculty

Arts, Law & Social Sciences

Department

Humanities and Social Sciences

Contact us

UK and EU applicants:International applicants:

 

*Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change each academic year. We advise all applicants to wait until they are in receipt of their timetable before making arrangements around their course times.

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