Master of Religious Education

About this course

The Master of Religious Education aims to provide graduates with a previous degree in education, or a related field, the opportunity to apply an advanced body of knowledge in various contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. The Master of Religious Education aims to develop skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience or a piece of scholarship through the application of relevant research methodologies. In addition, the course aims to build capacity for professional reflective practice in a range of religious education contexts.

The purpose of the Master of Religious Education is to qualify individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of religious education contexts, for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

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

  • Credit Points: 108 (12 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 9

Handbook
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Delivered at

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

Course Details

Admission to the Master of Religious Education requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of a four-year AQF Level 7 undergraduate degree in Education.
  • Students may enter the Master of Religious Education directly, OR enter the nested Graduate Certificate in Religious Education or Graduate Diploma of Religious Education. In both cases, students will receive full credit for the units they completed within the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in accordance with SCD policy (for example, students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, which is 4 units in length, would receive credit for these units and then complete the Master of Religious Education in 8 units).
  • Students who have completed prior studies in the areas of religious education or theology may be eligible for credit if these studies were at the same AQF level as this course. Credit will be considered according to 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) score of at least 7.0 with no subtest below 6.5.

The Master of Religious Education comprises five compulsory units (45 credit points) and seven core units (63 credit points).

 

Five Compulsory Units:
  • D8120 – Foundations for Religious Education: Theory and Practice
  • D8121 – Religious Education in the Contemporary Classroom
  • D9220 – Theology of Religious Education
  • D9290 – Capstone Project in Religious Education
  • T8106 – Foundations for Theological Studies

 

Seven Core Units (7 Units – 63 credit points)
 
At least three units 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 four units chosen from Schedule B:

  • D8192 – Religious Education Symposium Unit
  • 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
  • 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 – Leadership: Scriptural and Theological Foundations
  • 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)
Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the field of religious education, theological studies, religious organisations and and/or professional practice in the field;
  • knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to work and learning in the field of religious education.

 

Skills

Graduates will have:

  • cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship in the field of religious education particularly as applied to religious schools;
  • cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in the field of religious education and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice;
  • cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level;
  • communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, theological principles, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions in the field of religious education to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship in the field of religious education.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • with creativity, theological insight, and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning; 
  • with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability; 
  • to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.

 

Exit Points

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

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 54 credit points in the Master of Religious Education in accordance with the Sydney College of Divinity Credit Policy.

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.
The Master 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]