Cardiff School of History, Archaeology and Religion

Practical Theology (MTh)

The MTh PT   (Practical Theology) is a postgraduate course which engages in critical theological reflection upon professional practice’

It is expected that most of the students undertaking the course will be involved in some kind of ministry, whether on a full- or part-time basis. Such ministry could be lay or ordained, and could be in a variety of settings: church, education or charity work are only some of the possibilities. However, it is also possible for those who do not work in the P T field directly to study on the course if this seems appropriate.  The course is open to all suitably qualified and interested candidates.

Finally, the course offers a way of preparing for ordained ministry, through the developing of intellectual proficiency and practical competence in a reflective manner, and so ensuring the integration of theory and practice in ministry. Such a possibility demands a prior level of intellectual ability in a different discipline, but one which could be transferred to the study of PT .

The taught element of the MTh runs from October to May, and combines  two compulsory modules: a research training module and the Principles of Practical Theology. There are then four further modules, each of 20 credits. Teaching is on one day a month. During the taught stage of the MA, students lay the foundations for the second part of the course, which is an individual research project, carried out between May and September, leading up to a dissertation of 16,000 words. The course can be taken full-time in one year, or part-time over two years. It is hoped that a certificate   ( 60 credits) will be offered in September 2013, allowing a five year period to take the entire M Th.

Research Methods for PT and Theory and Principles of PT  ( 20 credits each)

All students take two core modules that provide training in the skills and methods needed for research in PT , and an overview of Principles of PT. The research module covers:  critical evaluation of a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, paying particular attention to issues relating to data gathering, recording and analysis. The ethical aspects of the research process will also be examined.  The Principles module  covers The development of Practical theology ;The roles played by the Bible, Christian tradition and human experience in practical theology; Theological reflection and the reflective practitioner; Models of theological reflection based on the ‘Pastoral cycle’

Specialised Options ( 20 credits each)

Some modules  ( 148; 203 and 205 )are taken from the M Th in Chaplaincy which runs concurrently with the M th in PT. Students may choose from this master’s course as well as from PT. Further modules on leadership and supervision will be written in 2012-3.

Dissertation (60 credits)

Preparation work for the dissertation will include seminars on research methods, as well as one-to-one work.  This will enable students to develop a dissertation title and a short dissertation proposal, both of which will be required for approval of your topic.

Aim

The formal aim of the course is to improve the competence of practitioners so they can make a better contribution within their ministry , by their study of  Practical Theology . 

It also provides an opportunity for exploring present and future training and educational needs within professional development.

The course can also be taken by those preparing for ministry (lay or ordained). Here the post- experience context will be developed through theological reflection on placements, and on the ministry which the person has engaged in before enrolling on this course.

 Learning Outcomes and Career Preparation

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Give a critical account of the role and context of your Practical Theology task;
• Demonstrate a firm understanding of the content and application of relevant theological and other kinds of theoretical knowledge that pertain to your Practical Theology work;
• Show an ability to understand and use skills of critical analysis, intellectual flexibility and powers of evaluation, and to pursue independent study or research appropriate to postgraduate, post-experience levels of study in relation to your professional tasks and needs;
• Have developed communication, information management and critical reflective skills that will enable you the better to respond to the pressures of your professional activities;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the main ethical, value and other issues and dilemmas facing a variety of  institutions   (church, charities, and educational) in contemporary society and to be able, through the use of relevant theories and concepts, to make a real contribution to facilitating discussion on these issues;
• Situate your specific role as practitioners within wider debates and practices of practical theology and  pastoral care in other institutions;
• Use appropriate skills of reflection on practice and self-understanding in the service of your pastoral and other activities;
• Outline and understand the use of some new relevant practical pastoral or other skills that pertain to your own particular role;
• Explain how selected different disciplinary theoretical frameworks and practical approaches may be used to enhance the theory and practice of your particular Practical Theology task.

These course objectives, to inform and enhance your professional performance, will be taken up in various and different ways within particular modules and cumulatively through the scheme as you pursue it.

Admissions requirements

Students may apply for the course through Cardiff University, and the School of History, Archaeology and Religion (SHARE); the South Wales Baptist College (SWBC); or St Michael’s College (SMC).  Students applying to take the M Th should normally have one of the following qualifications:

1. A good undergraduate degree  ( normally an upper second ) in any discipline .Please contact the postgraduate admissions tutor to discuss particular requirements.
2. Qualifications   and experience in some form of ministry. This  could be lay or ordained, and could be in a variety of settings: church, education or charity work are only some of the possibilities

Funding

To find out about funding opportunities please visit our Postgraduate Funding Opportunities page.

For more information contact:

Admissions Tutors

Dr Peter Sedgwick

Principal St Michael’s College Cardiff

Email peter.sedgwick@stmichaels.ac.uk Telephone 029 2056 3379

Dr Peter Stevenson

Principal South Wales Baptist College

Email: pks@swbc.org.uk  Telephone 029 2025  6066

See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.

Coursefinder

Find Undergraduate courses

Find Postgraduate courses