Graduate Certificate in Religious Education

About this course

The Graduate Certificate in Religious Education aims to assist graduates with a previous degree in education, in applying foundational knowledge and skills in various religious education contexts. With a focus on classroom teaching and school leadership, the program integrates professional religious education skills with introductory religious education theory and practice. Upon completing this course, graduates meet the accreditation standards to teach religious education in Catholic schools. As a result, they may be eligible to find employment or promotion in the Catholic education sector.

The Graduate Certificate in Religious Education qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge in religious education in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Online, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 36 (4 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 8

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Delivered at

BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education (BBI-TAITE)
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Religious Education requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of a four-year AQF Level 7 undergraduate degree in education.

 

Note: English language proficiency, Special Entry and Professional Entry criteria will apply as per SCD policy.

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 7.0 with no subtest below 6.5.

The Graduate Certificate in Religious Education comprises two Compulsory units (18 points) and two Core (18 points), of which one must be a Religious Education (D) unit. Two Compulsory Units:

  • D8120 – Foundations for Religious Education: Theory and Practice

  • D8121 – Religious Education in the Contemporary Classroom

 

Two Core Units (2 Units – 18 credit points)
At least one unit chosen from Schedule A:

  • D8192 – Religious Education Symposium Unit

  • D9231 – Contemporary Pedagogies and Classroom Practices in Religious Education

  • D9224 – Religion and Young People in Australia and Abroad

  • D9225 – Godly Play, Religious Education and the Future

  • D9220 – Theology of Religious Education

  • D9232 – The Early Years in School-Based Religious Education

 

And one unit chosen from Schedule B:

  • D8192 – Religious Education Symposium Unit

  • D9231 – Contemporary Pedagogies and Classroom Practices in Religious Education

  • D9224 – Religion and Young People in Australia and Abroad

  • D9225 – Godly Play, Religious Education and the Future

  • D9220 – Theology of Religious Education

  • D9232 – The Early Years in School-Based Religious Education

  • T8106 – Foundations for Theological Studies

  • B8101 – Introduction to Biblical Studies

  • P8155 – Leadership: Scriptural and Theological Foundations

  • M8161 – Leadership: Mission, Identity and Community

Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in religious education.

 

Skills

Graduates will have:

  • cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
  • cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
  • specialised technical and creative skills in religious education
  • communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts in religious education
  • communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will possess the ability: 

  • to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
  • to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
  • with responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters.

 

Articulation to Other Awards

The Graduate Certificate in Religious Education articulates with the Graduate Diploma of Religious Education, which articulates with the Master of Religious Education. Credit will be given within the higher award for all units completed within the lower award.

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 18 credit points in the Graduate Certificate in Religious Education in accordance with the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.
The Graduate Certificate in Religious Education is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.

 

A student is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or the equivalent in a trimester. Sydney College of Divinity offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering Sydney College of Divinity awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

If you have any questions email us at [email protected]