Program Overview

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Certificate in Religious Studies

Course Details

Course Code:

DC996

Course Type:

Postgraduate

NFQ Level:

Level 8

Delivery Mode:

Part-time

Duration:

1 year

Overview

This part-time programme fully meets the requirements of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. During it, you’ll study four core modules: Religious Education; Introduction to Theology; Spirituality, Liturgy and Sacraments; and Moral and Systematic Theology.

Benefit from a flexible study programme
Taught by leading experts in the area of Catholic education, religious education, beliefs and values education and educational studies, the course is delivered in-person and online, and is designed to allow you to continue working while you study.

Previous graduates have pursued primary school teaching, deputy principalship or principalship roles in Catholic schools in the Republic of Ireland as well as various other educational roles in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.

From 18th June 2024, as per the Irish Bishops' Conference requirements to teach Catholic Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools on the Island of Ireland, primary school teachers who qualified prior to 2011 are 'not required' to complete the Certificate, but the Certificate is understood as 'desirable' in Irish Catholic primary schools.

Why DCU

• DCU’s Institute of Education has the largest percentage of Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students
• Education at DCU ranks among the top 150 education courses globally
• DCU’s Institute of Education has the largest percentage of part time students
• DCU’s Institute of Education has the highest employability rate in DCU

Careers & Further Options

Careers

Teachers applying for positions in Catholic primary schools in Ireland are required to hold a qualification equipping them to teach religion according to the tenets of the Catholic faith.

The Certificate in Religious Studies (CRS) offered by DCU meets the requirements of the Irish Episcopal Conference in this regard and graduates have been successful in obtaining positions in Catholic primary schools.

Entry Requirements

• General Entry Requirements
• Entry to the part time Certificate in Religious Studies is open to any teacher with a recognised qualification (Level 8, Pass Degree****/ Third Class degree from Ireland or elsewhere) to teach in a primary school in Ireland.
• Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If, however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.

Programme Structure

• The aim of the programme is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education in Catholic primary schools.

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Part time
• EU Status Fee Part-time: €1,300 per annum
• Non EU Fee Part time: €2,600 per annum

How To Apply

• Make an Application
• To apply for this programme:
  • All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
  • All Applicants must submit:
    • Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.
    • If you require a study visa and are a non EU student, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes, as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
    • All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
  • EU Applicants
    • Online applications open on 13th January 2025
    • Closing Date for EU applications is 31st July 2025.
  • Non EU Applicants
    • Online applications open on 13th January 2025.
    • Closing Date for Non EU applications is 1st July 2025

Life On Campus

• Life on Campus
• At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
• DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
• They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
• Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.

FAQs

• Faculty FAQs
• What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
  • DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
• Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
  • Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
• What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
  • Primary Teaching Pathways
    • Undergraduate
      • Bachelor of Education - DC002 | DC003 | DC004
    • Postgraduate
      • Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970
  • Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
    • Undergraduate
      • Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012
      • Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
      • Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
      • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
      • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
      • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
    • Postgraduate
      • Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905
  • Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
    • Undergraduate
      • BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235

Have You Considered?

• DC979
  • Professional Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education
  • CAO Code: DC979
  • Type: postgraduate
  • Delivery: part time
  • Duration: 2 Years
• DC971
  • Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal and Health Education/Relationships and Sexuality Education
  • CAO Code: DC971
  • Type: postgraduate
  • NFQ: 9 - Please see for further information
  • Delivery: part time
  • Duration: 1 year
• DC908
  • Graduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling
  • CAO Code: DC908
  • Type: postgraduate
  • Delivery: part time
  • Duration: 1.5 Years