The Federation works in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University in offering an MA degree in Pastoral Theology. This taught course is intended to deepen the theological skills and perceptions of those actively engaged in pastoral work and those preparing for ministry in the Church. The degree is open both to students affiliated to institutions of the Cambridge Theological Federation and to independent candidates living within the region.
To be admitted to this programme, candidates must provide evidence: 1) of prior learning in Theology or Religious Studies, 2) that they could reasonably be expected to work at a level appropriate to a Master's degree, and 3) of engagement in pastoral work in the church, broadly interpreted. In addition, candidates whose first language is not English, must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0. Students with prior learning in the field of Pastoral Theology at Masters level or equivalent may be admitted with credit using the standard Anglia Ruskin APL and APEL procedures: the Director of the MA is glad to advise.
To obtain the MA students are required to complete four taught modules, one of which is the compulsory ‘Pastoral Theology in History and Practice’ module, known as the ‘core’ module. Students must also complete a 15,000 word dissertation. Various assessment methods are used, typically a combination of seminar presentation and essay, but assessment is never through unseen examination. The programme can be taken full-time (within one year) or part-time, usually over two years for the taught element of the course.
From September 2011 students will be able to register directly for a Post Graduate Certificate or Post Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Theology, with the possibility of transferring to the MA later. The PG Cert will comprise two modules and the PG Dip will comprise four. Both new pathways will require students to undertake the core module first, as in the MA. Students will be able to study both courses on a full or part time basis, and the same fee structure as the MA applies. Students on the PGCert will not be able to register for the ILM or the Dissertation, while students on the PGDip will not be permitted to undertake the Dissertation module.
At present the following modules are regularly offered, but please note that not all modules are offered in every year.
- AG430021 (A421) Pastoral Theology in History and Practice (compulsory module)
- AG430006 (A436) Modernity, Postmodernity and the Gospel
- AG430007 (A437) Biblical Hermeneutics
- AG430008 (A438) Christian Leadership
- AG430009 (A439) Feminist Perspectives on Pastoral Theology
- AG430010 (A410) Christian Ethics
- AG430011 (A411) Pastoral Placement
- AG430012 (A412) Christianity in a Scientific Culture
- AG430013 (A413) African Expressions of Christianity
- AG430014 (A414) Psychology, Faith and Church Life
- AG430015 (A415) Christian Worship and Human Community
- AG430016 (A416) Contemporary Spirituality and its Sources
- AG430018 (A418) Ecumenism in Theory and Practice
- AG430019 (A419) Literature and Pastoral Theology
- AG430020 (A420) An Orthodox Approach to Pastoral Life
- AG430022 (A422) Postgraduate Research Methods
- AG430023 (A423) Preaching in a Pastoral Context
- AG430024 (A424) Inter-faith Dialogue
- AG430026 (A426) Health Care Chaplaincy
- AG430027 (A427) Pastoral Reflective Practice in Health Care Chaplaincy
- AG430028 (A428) The Visual Arts and Pastoral Theology: Word and Image
- AG430034 (A434) Ministry in Local Context: Rural Ministry
- AG430035 (A435) Texts and Practices in the Early Church
- AG430037 (A4337) Church and Ministry
- AG430996 (A496) Independent Learning Module
- AG460998 (A498) Dissertation
Summer School 2012: One of the modules available for Summer School 2012 will be Childhood and Spirituality, taught by Rebecca Nye. For further details please see the Childhood and Spirituality Information Sheet
Regional Teaching Centres: Some of the modules are offered in Chelmsford, Norwich and St. Albans, please check with the MA office for further details.
Teaching methods: Each module of the MA offers twenty four hours class contact time, and is normally taught in twelve-week semesters with a two hour class held every week. Some modules are offered on a fortnightly basis. Two modules are offered at the summer school in August each year, one of which is the core module. In Cambridge teaching is mostly during the daytime, but a small selection of modules are offered in the evening. In the regional centres teaching is in monthly sessions on Saturdays. Classes comprise between 6 and 12 students, and are normally run in seminar format, with maximum student participation. Students are expected to do substantial amounts of reading and preparation for each class.
Assessment: This varies from module to module. Typically it would consist of a combination of seminar presentation and essay. Overall assessment for each module is set at the equivalent of a 6000 word essay. There are no unseen examinations in this degree. For an example of the creative possibilities for MA assessment, see this page on the Westcott House website.
Application: All those who wish to undertake this programme, and who meet the eligibility criteria set out above, should make an application by completing an MA Application Form.
If you wish to discuss the MA please get in touch with the MA Administrator at: pg-enquiries@theofed.cam.ac.uk
Current Fees: £690 per module (2011/12). Fees for students starting in 2012/13 will be £1,100 per module or £5,500 full-time fee.