Study With Us - Postgraduate Studies

Licence in Divinity:
Pathway in Catechetical Sciences

The Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetical Sciences is a qualification of the Holy See, distinct from an STL, and has been offered by Maryvale Institute since 2012. The Licence in Catechetics is awarded through Maryvale’s Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (HIRS) and validated by the theology faculty of the Ecole Cathedrale of Paris (Faculté Notre Dame de Paris). It is a 12 month, part-time, distance-learning programme.

Who is the programme aimed at?

It is intended for those in leadership positions in catechetics and in other positions of responsibility. For example, the Licence in Catechetics is especially suited to:

• those in diocesan positions of catechetics or adult faith formation.
• those involved in the creation, or oversight, of catechetical resources.
• those involved in work related to the new evangelization.
those in Catholic chaplaincy or Catholic school leadership positions.

What are the entry requirements?

Admission to the Licence in Catechetics programme is available for all those who have the Ecclesiastical B.Divinity, or an equivalent qualification. To gain the Licence in Catechetics, students first complete a Master of Arts in Catholic Applied Theology (Religious Education and Catechesis) at the Institute, unless they possess an equivalent qualification.

How long is the programme?

The Masters programme will take 30 months to complete, the Licence in Catechetics will take an additional 12 months.

Programme information:

Aims:

• Growth in wisdom and understanding through systematic and comprehensive study of the science of pastoral theology and, in particular, the study of Catechesis and Religious Education.
• Helping to discover and realise, through in-depth study and reflection on the Catholic faith, each person’s vocation in the Church, whether as a lay person or a religious.
• Development of skills to be able to communicate and to share the faith by increasing knowledge and understanding.
• Nourishment for one’s spiritual life through reading and working with others of a similar faith commitment.

Licence in Catechetics Course Prospectus.

Structure and content

Admission to the Licence in Catechetics programme is available for all those who have the Ecclesiastical B.Divinity, or an equivalent qualification. To gain the Licence, students first complete a Master of Arts in Catholic Applied Theology (Religious Education and Catechesis) at the Institute, unless they possess an equivalent qualification. They then spend a year studying three specialist modules. These focus on:

• A classic text in the area of catechetics taken from a selection offered
• A key figure in the area of catechetics
• A contemporary debate in catechetics

While the vast majority of study is undertaken at home, 3 residential weekends at the Institute support these three modules of study and prepare the students for an oral defence of their MA dissertation which occurs at the end of the Licence in Catechetics year.**

**In response to restrictions imposed and uncertainties raised by Covid-19, Maryvale Institute is currently conducting all residentials and study days online. The situation will be monitored and reviewed regularly for course delivery in the future.**

• Higher Institute of Religious Sciences Regulations
• Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetics Module Descriptors
• Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetics Programme Specification
• Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetics Student Handbook
• Institute-Wide Regulations

Assessment

Each module in the Licence in Catechetics year is assessed through a written assignment of 6,000-8,000 words. The final piece of work undertaken for the Licence in Catechetics is an oral defence of the MA dissertation. This consists in a presentation and evaluation of the potential relevance and impact of their dissertation.

The assignments are weighted as follows:

1. Modules 1, 2 and 3: 25% each; 75% in total.
2. Oral presentation of the MA dissertation: 25%.

Award:

The Licence in Catechetics is a postgraduate ecclesiastical degree, distinct from an STL, which is awarded through Maryvale’s Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (HIRS) and validated by the theology faculty of the Ecole Cathedrale of Paris (Faculté Notre Dame de Paris) on behalf of the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome.

Course Fees

The level of course fees payable depends on whether you are a UK/EU or a non-EU student. Please ensure that you refer to the appropriate section on the course fees page.

How do I apply?

While we are unable to enrol new students at the moment, as HE provision is being phased out within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the institute is currently in discussion with another institution to find a new academic home. In the meantime, we remain open to course enquiries and are happy to take declarations of interest from potential students. If you wish to register your interest, please get in touch with us through the contact button below and the Programme Director will reply to you.

Accessibility

If you have a disability or any long-term condition that impacts on your day-to-day life, please download the Accessibility Form, open and edit it in Acrobat Reader, and email or post the completed document to the Accessibility Coordinator (address included on the form), to ensure we can give you the best possible support during your course of study. Disclosing a disability will not be a factor in Institute’s decision as to whether or not to offer you a place on the course. However, it is important that the Institute knows if you have any specialist needs in order to provide you with appropriate support and facilities. This information will remain strictly confidential. For further information, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator by using the contact button below:

For further information:

To make an enquiry to the Licence in Catechetics Administrator, click on the Course Contact Form button below:

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