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Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetical Sciences

Licence in Divinity:
Pathway in Catechetical Sciences

Ecclesiastical Licence in Catechetics Flyer


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.

La Faculté Nôtre-Dame

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.**


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:



Student Feedback

Reflections from the May 2021 Licence in Catechetics Study Weekend

  • “Helpful to hear about key pedagogies from [a] Catholic perspective. Always engaging and great balance between lecturing and dialogue.”
  • “Great lectures, and tied together much of my prior understanding. Strong research/methodological basis.”
  • “[The lecturer] has a great way of encouraging engagement and discussion between everyone – very informative and enjoyable.”
  • “[The lecturer] was very passionate about the topic and [this] was very evident in her delivery.”

Licence in Catechetics Students

Reflections from the January 2021 Licence in Catechetics Study Weekend

  • “LOVED LOVED LOVED [the session on hermeneutics] could have had another 2 hours of this. [The lecturer] was incredible!”
  • “This [session on module 1] was so helpful. Clear and concise as to what is expected in each module. [The lecturer] allowed time for dialogue and and sharing of experiences.”
  • “Thanks for another great study weekend at Maryvale.”
  • “Comprehensive presentation covered historical approaches, significant figures, education psychology. The slides were immensely detailed and will be useful going forward.”
  • “Useful introductory overview.”
  • “Comprehensive introduction to hermeneutics – thank you.”

Licence in Catechetics Students

Reflections from a 2020 Licence in Catechetics Study Weekend

  • “Very informative.”
  • “Great pacing.”
  • “Interesting.”

Licence in Catechetics Students

Reflections from a Licence in Catechetics Study Weekend

Students particularly appreciated:

  • “[The] friendly and approachable nature of the lecturer, and the informal atmosphere that promoted engagement and participation [on the Introductory session]."
  • "[The] openness and friendly nature of the session [on The Divine Word: Culture And Exegesis]."

Licence in Catechetics Students

"[I found the course] very beneficial, it gave me a greater insight to other aspects of the faith including the contribution which catechesis provides."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"Many thanks for offering this superb course."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"I derived a sense of achievement after completing the course."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"I would recommend the Licence to MA students … I reflect upon the spiritual, theological, practical journey here at Maryvale and I know that it has enriched my life."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"Detailed, encouraging, challenging, practical and enjoyable."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"There is no substitute for this kind of experience, with the insight, encouragement and helpful criticism of colleagues and professors."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate

"It is always a blessing to come together to share, discuss, challenge and support each other. Thank you for designing our programme of study so thoughtfully and thoroughly."

Licence in Catechetics Graduate


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