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

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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 three-year AQF Level 7 undergraduate degree or equivalent.
  • Students who have completed a three-year AQF Level 7 undergraduate degree will complete the full 108 credit point Master of Religious Education course. 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 units completed within the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in accordance with AUCD policy.

    Students who have completed prior studies in relevant disciplines at AQF 8 and 9 may be eligible for credit. Credit will be considered according to AUCD policy. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in theology satisfactorily will be granted an exemption from T8106 and may study an elective unit in its place.

 

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 elective units (63 credit points), of which three units (27 credit points) must be chosen from the subdiscipline of Education (D), coded within the 8100 and 9200 series.

 

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

 

Three Elective units (27 credit points) chosen from the subdiscipline of Education (D), coded within the 8100 and 9200 series

 

Four Elective units (36 credit points) chosen from the subdisciplines of Pastoral Theology (P), Mission (M), Systematic Theology (T), Worship and Liturgy (L), Biblical Studies (B), Education (D), or Spirituality (S), coded within the 8100 and 9200 series

 

Other units which are at AQF 8 or 9, whether from the AUCD or completed with another recognized provider, may be applied either as specified or unspecified credit in accordance with the AUCD Credit Policy.

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 of credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in the Master of Religious Education in accordance with the University College Credit Policy. Applications for Credit or RPL must include supporting documentation as required by the University College Credit Policy and be assessed in accordance with that policy.

 

A candidate may seek a maximum of 36 credit points of RPL in the Master of Religious Education. Articulating students are only eligible for a maximum of 18 credit points of RPL in the Master of Religious Education.

 

Articulating students with an AQF 8 Graduate Certificate in Religious Education will receive 36 credit points in the Master of Religious Education.

 

Articulating students with an AQF 8 Graduate Diploma in Religious Education will receive 72 credit points in the Master of Religious Education.

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. The Australian University College of Divinity offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering Australian University College of Divinity awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

If you have any questions email us at aucd@aucd.edu.au