Graduate Diploma of Religious Education

About this course

The Graduate Diploma of Religious Education aims to provide graduates with a previous degree in education, or a related field, the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of professional religious education skills, theory, and practice. In addition, the course aims to develop graduates with a particular focus on classroom teaching and school leadership to apply religious education knowledge and skills, including professional practice, in various educational contexts. On completion of 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 Diploma of Religious Education qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge 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: 72 (8 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 Diploma of 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 Diploma of Religious Education comprises four Compulsory units (36 points) and four Core units (36 points).
Four Compulsory Units:

  • D8120 – Foundations for Religious Education: Theory and Practice

  • D8121 – Religious Education in the Contemporary Classroom

  • T8106 – Foundations for Theological Studies

  • D9220 – Theology of Religious Education

 

Four Core Units (4 Units – 36 credit points)
At least two electives chosen from Schedule A:

  • D8192 – Issues in Religious Education

  • D9291 – Advanced Studies in Religious Education for the 21st Century

  • D9231 – Contemporary Pedagogies and Classroom Practices in Religious Education

  • D9233 – Research and Praxis in Religious Education

  • D9224 – Religion and Young People in Australia and Abroad

  • D9225 – Godly Play, Religious Education and the Future

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

  • S9240 – Travelling Inwards, Travelling Outwards: Exploring Spiritual Growth for Teachers

  • D9234 – Breaking Open Scriptures in the Classroom

 

And two units chosen from Schedule B:

  • D8192 – Issues in Religious Education

  • D9291 – Advanced Studies in Religious Education for the 21st Century

  • D9231 – Contemporary Pedagogies and Classroom Practices in Religious Education

  • D9233 – Research and Praxis in Religious Education

  • D9224 – Religion and Young People in Australia and Abroad

  • D9225 – Godly Play, Religious Education, and the Future

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

  • S9240 – Travelling Inwards, Travelling Outwards: Exploring Spiritual Growth for Teachers

  • D9234 – Teaching Scriptures in the Classroom

  • B8101 – Introduction to Biblical Studies

  • B9249 – Kings, Priests, and Prophets: Leadership in the Hebrew Bible

  • B9253 – Interpreting the Four Gospels

  • B9200 – Great Narratives of the Bible

  • T9218 – Church: The Living Community of Faith

  • T9262 – Ecological Theology

  • T9231 – Theology of the Sacraments

  • E8100 – Principles of Christian Ethics

  • T9256 – Faith and Science

  • S9276 – The Spirituality of Mary MacKillop

  • T9279 – Women Doctors of the Church

  • M9228 – Living as Christians on Indigenous Land

  • T8194 – Immersion Experience Critical Reflection

  • P8155 – Foundations of Christian Leadership

  • M8161 – Leadership: Mission, Identity and Community

  • M9265 – Pluralism and Cultural Leadership

  • P9263 – Leading Self, Leading Others

  • P9265 – Leader as Explorer, Guide and Meaning-maker

  • P9236 – Theology and Practice of Social Justice

  • S9246 – Stirring the Soul: Formation of Catholic Educators and Leaders

  • S9247 – The Foundations of Lasallian Ministry (only for students who have taken the Together for Mission program residential)

 

Exit Awards

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Religious Education may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, provided they have met the requirements of the award.

Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in religious education or professional practice in the field.

 

Skills

Graduates will have:

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

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability: 

  • to make high-level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts inclusive of religious contexts
  • to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised religious, 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 Diploma of Religious Education 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 36 credit points in the Graduate Diploma of Religious Education in accordance with the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.
The Graduate Diploma of 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]