Program Overview

Pastoral Ministry FdA

About

The Pastoral Ministry FdA is a foundation degree that builds theological skills with a hands-on approach. The program covers various aspects of pastoral ministry, including theology, scripture, sacraments and liturgy, Christian ethics, interfaith relations, Christian spirituality, and canon law.

Course Content

The program is taught in partnership with the Diaconate Formation Programme for the dioceses in England and Wales. The course content includes:

• Foundations for the Study of Theology
• Foundations for the Study of Scripture
• Foundations of the Sacraments and Liturgy
• Foundations of Christian Ethics
• The Diaconate in the context of the Threefold Ministry
• Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations
• The Doctrine of the Trinity and the Person of Jesus Christ
• Christian Spirituality
• Church History and Canon Law
• Catechetics
• Marriage
• Scripture II

Entry Requirements

• The Foundation degree in Pastoral Ministry is taught as part of a collaborative relationship between St Mary's and seven Roman Catholic dioceses in southern England Wales, for those in formation to become permanent deacons.
• Students are enrolled on the programme after they have been accepted for formation for the diaconate by their diocesan bishop or Ordinary.
• Applicants should have at least a GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English Language.

Fees & Funding

• Tuition fees:
  • Home: £9,535
  • International: £17,100
• Fees are paid entirely by the dioceses within the collaborative programme, who also cover costs for meals and accommodation at the formation days and weekends.

Career Opportunities

• With our Pastoral Ministry degree, you will develop key transferrable skills, including patience, communication, and leadership.
• You could pursue a career as a pastoral minister.

Teaching Methods

• The degree is taught in formation days on Saturdays and residential weekends, consisting of lectures and seminars, alongside prayer and corporate worship.
• Local one-to-one tuition also takes place between formation days.
• Class sizes usually range from 10 to 20 students.

Assessment Methods

• Year One (Level 4): In work for all modules in year one students will be introduced to the basic theory and practice of preaching, with practical work on posture, voice production and microphone use.
• Year Two (Level 5): In all the modules of Level 5, work will be done on the continuing development of preaching skills as the student grows in theological confidence.