Practical Theology

Why study with us? The aims of the programme are to enable men and women as they continue in their life-long learning and continuing professional development (CPD) for public ministry through attention to the following areas:

1. Growing knowledge and understanding of Christian tradition for the life-long Christian journey
2. Spiritual foundations to sustain ministry and daily living
3. Skills for authorised public ministry informed by theological understanding
4. Ability to relate reflectively to the tradition of the church to its mission in contemporary contexts, including plural multi-faith context
5. Growing ability to discern personal strengths, weaknesses and sustain appropriate relationships with humility
6. Including Post-Graduate capabilities

Within this vision, which is wholly congruent with the aims of the LCTP the programme aims to prepare students for the appropriate level of detailed knowledge and understanding necessary for the award of MA in Practical Theology, introducing and developing the required knowledge, skills and understanding by means of a range of modules at the appropriate level as a means of demonstrating the person’s continuing growing into and understanding as reflective practitioners and their role as publicly representative Christian to which they are called.

Resources and facilities Material supporting the teaching and your learning will also be available online through Blackboard. Blackboard is an e-learning resource provided through the University of Cumbria. You will also have full use of the University of Cumbria library facilities and the various libraries available to the LCTP including:

Rydal Hall, Ambleside (please phone 015394 32050)

Blackburn Cathedral Library (please phone the Cathedral Office 01254 51491)

The Talbot Library, Weston Street, Preston (please phone 01772 760186)

Ulverston Resource Centre, Church Walk, Ulverston (please phone 01229 588081)

The Arthur Atwell Library, St Michael's Workington (please phone 01900 604450) Entry requirements

1st or 2nd class honours degree

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course via APL procedures

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 180 credits Selection criteria Candidates will be required to meet one of the following entry requirements:

Honours degree (2ii) in Theology or Religious Studies,

Honours degree (2ii) in a related discipline with a substantial component in Theology or Religious Studies,

Honours degree (2.ii) or equivalent in any discipline, but also holding a PgC or PgD in a discipline related to Theology or Religious Studies,

or an alternative qualification offering comparable levels of knowledge and understanding.

In addition:

He/she must be actively engaged in public Christian ministry for the duration of the course

All candidates will have a current enhanced CRB check.
Additional contact information Lancashire Cumbria Theological Partnership (LCTP) UCAS Link

Visit UCAS

Modules LCTP6112 Ministry: Mission and Evangelism (20 credits at level 6)
LCTP7203 Vocation and Ministry (20 credits at level 7)
LCTP7204 Ministry and the Institution (20 credits at level 7)

*Exit point for PgCert Practical Theology (60 credits)

LCTP7205 Spirituality and Ministry (20 credits at level 7)
LCTP7206 Personality, Character and Relationships in Ministry (20 credits at level 7)
LCTP7207 Leadership, Collaboration and Relationships in Ministry (20 credits at level 7)

*Exit point for PgDip Practical Theology (120 credits) MASS7210

Dissertation in Theology (60 credits at level 7) Course summary The Programme is designed with the primary focus upon the minister’s capability for learning which is both collaborative and self-reflective. The Programme is intended therefore to offer a secondary level of learning drawing upon prior subject knowledge and learning having been previously undertaken, i.e. through prior theological study at an appropriate level. It is designed to provide a framework for learning in which the person’s professional ministerial experience provides a key element as the basis for reflective learning. The use of portfolio based assessment provides a means for drawing upon evidence from experience.

Therefore the Programme requires that anyone registered is:
A practitioner with relevant ongoing experience.

The programme consists of 6 compulsory modules plus a Dissertation. While there are no optional modules, nonetheless, significant choice is retained insofar as the learner, is required to address certain areas, nonetheless, retains the ability to specify how they will do this and what particular areas of their experience they wish to focus upon. Furthermore, this requires the learner to be able to demonstrate the relevance of the particular experience to the learning area and offer supporting evidence that supports their analysis. The Dissertation will be governed by the University Academic Regulations for such work. This will give the learner the opportunity to choose to explore an area of their own particular interest. Because this is an award in Practical Theology the dissertation must be focused upon an agreed question relating to the engagement between theology and the practice of ministry in its broadest sense.