MREd - St. Patrick's College - DCU

1 Year Full-time or 2 Year Part-time
2 Evenings per Week*
Starts September 2011
Joint Programme (NFQ Level 9)
Masters in Religious
Education Primary
Mater Dei Institute of Education and St Patrick’s College Drumcondra
are Colleges of Dublin City University

Joint Masters in Religious Education Primary
The Masters in Religious Education (MREd) is jointly hosted by
the Mater Dei Institute of Education and St Patrick’s College,
Drumcondra, both colleges of Dublin City University, the
awarding body.
The Programme focuses on Religious Education and
Catechetics in respect of the child of primary school age.
This is reflected in the rich range of modules on offer that
covers such areas as education, religious education, theology,
sacraments, scripture, ecclesiology and world religions.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to take on significant
responsibility in the area of religious education at the primary
level.
Upon successful completion of this programme the graduate
will be able to demonstrate:
• A systematic and comprehensive understanding of the
theology and pedagogic theory involved in the religious
education of primary school children
• An enhanced critical sensitivity to the psychological,
sociological, religious and political issues raised by the
teaching of religion at primary level.
• A command of tools of research, including writing skills, in
the areas of theology and pedagogic inquiry, especially as
these bear on the teaching of religion at primary level
• The particular skills necessary to address the issues that
arise in the creation, management and implementation of
programmes of religious education in the primary sector
Graduate Voice
“The MREd was a wonderful opportunity for me to build on what
I already knew about primary religious education and to improve
how I teach it in my own classroom. I would wholeheartedly
recommend the programme.”
Elaine Mahon,Graduate, 2005
Who is this Masters for?
In the main, MREd students are primary teachers who wish to:
• Enhance the way they teach religious education to primary
school children
• Enrich themselves intellectually and spiritually
• Improve their own understanding of the relationship between
Religious Education and Catechetics
The programme is commensurate with teachers who wish to
develop their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The Student Experience
“Although I work full time as a primary teacher, I found the programme challenging and rewarding with plenty of opportunity to
take new ideas and methodologies straight into the classroom. The lecturers both in MDI and St Pat’s were experts in their areas.
The coursework was carefully planned, very interactive and in keeping with the school year. I feel that I have gained from the course
not only professionally but also personally”.
Louise Traynor, Graduate, 2010
Flexible Scheduling
The programme is offered:
- Full-time (one year)
- Part-time (two years)
Typically, the programme is taught two evenings per week to
facilitate teachers. *Students will also attend two Saturdays
during the academic year to assist practical research skills.
Modules
All course participants will take the following core modules:
- Contemporary Methodologies in Primary Religious Education
- Spirituality, Prayer and the Educator
Participants will also take six modules that may
include some of the following:
Modules vary from year to year and students will be notified of
the choices available well in advance of registration. In addition,
participants will complete a Research Module which includes a
minor thesis.
Career Prospects
Many who have received this qualification have continued
teaching but a significant number of graduates now occupies
positions as primary school religious education diocesan
advisors, college lecturers and DES inspectors. Others have
secured positions as principals and post-holders in schools.
In addition, graduates of the programme have contributed to
publications in the area of primary religious education, given
lectures to various parish groups and they have organised and
delivered religious education courses for teachers.
Christology in Dialogue with
Culture Today
Faith and Culture in Ireland
Contemporary Issues in
Ecclesiology
Resourcing Religious Education
in a Digital Age
Modules
Contemporary Issues in
Ecumenism and Inter-Religious
Dialogue
Virtual Learning Environments
and Religious Education
Creative Writing for Children
Psychology of Religious and
Moral Change
The Church in the City: Early
Christian Communities
The Cultures of the School
and Religious Dimension of
Education
Denial of Death and the Eclipse
of Hope
Principles of Faith
Development
(Post-Primary Module)
Awards Available
Cost
The Masters in Religious Education Primary is awarded by
Dublin City University (Level 9 of the National Framework of
Qualifications).
Participants who do not wish to complete an entire Masters
may exit the programme with a Graduate Diploma (after
successfully completing 60 credits of taught modules) or with
a Graduate Certificate (after successfully completing 30 credits
of taught modules). It is also possible to audit individual
modules without obtaining an award.
Entry Requirements
Applicants will normally hold a good honours bachelor degree.
Applicants must also hold a relevant professional qualification
(e.g. B.Ed, Grad Dip in Ed., BD). An appropriate combination
of non-degree qualifications and relevant professional
experience may be accepted by the Programme Board as
equivalent. The application process for admission may include
an interview. References must also be provided, if requested.
For 2011 entry fees please visit www.materdei.ie
or www.spd.dcu.ie
How do I apply?
Application forms are available at www.materdei.ie
or www.spd.dcu.ie
Alternatively, applications forms are available by
contacting:
Admissions Office
St. Patrick’s College
Drumcondra
Dublin 9
Telephone: (01) 884 2096 Email: admissions.office@spd.dcu.ie
Apply early to secure a place on the programme.
The closing date for applications is 10th June 2011.

www.materdei.ie
www.spd.dcu.ie
MDI
Mater Dei Institute of Education (MDI) is a College
of Dublin City University. MDI specializes in teacher
education, theology, religious studies, Irish studies,
humanities, philosophy and ethics. MDI seeks to
develop in graduates a capacity for creative thought,
critical openness and rigorous intellectual inquiry.
SPD
St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra (SPD) is a College
of Dublin City University. The College’s academic
departments are currently divided into two faculties
- the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of
Education. There are over 2,000 students taking
courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate
levels.
Want to find out more?
If you want to find out more about the
programme please contact:
Margaret Brierty
Admissions Office (SPD)
Telephone (01) 884 2096
Email: admissions@spd.dcu.ie
Academic Enquiries to:
Dr Caroline Renehan
Programme Co-chair (SPD)
Telephone: (01) 884 2084
Email: caroline.renehan@spd.dcu.ie
Dr Kevin Williams
Programme Co-chair (MDI)
Telephone: (01) 808 6523
Email: kevin.williams@materdei.dcu.ie