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Chaplaincy (MA, PGDip, PGCert, UniCert)
Chaplaincy is a recognised activity within many public service organisations such as the Police, the Fire Service, Health Boards, etc. Chaplains provide pastoral support to colleagues, volunteers, their families and the community, irrespective of any religious belief or lack of belief.
The University Certificate, worth 40 Level 7 credits, recognises the importance and complexity of the chaplaincy role and further professionalises it. On successful completion of the UWTSD University Certificate in Professional Chaplaincy (Policing), there is an opportunity for Chaplains to ‘top-up’ this award by studying a further 20 credit module to achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Chaplaincy. Subsequently, the credits achieved can be used to top-up to a Postgraduate Diploma or an MA in Chaplaincy.
The aim is for Chaplaincy to be viewed as a profession, with a more representative workforce, that will align the right skills, powers and experience to meet challenging requirements. As the role of the chaplain becomes further embedded in public services there is a need to ensure that continuous professional development is available which is academically accredited and recognises the skills and knowledge of people required by the role.
This MA Chaplaincy portfolio of programmes provides this accredited CPD route. It has been developed in liaison with Police Chaplains UK (PCUK), though the awards are suitable for all public services, subject to the development of an appropriately tailored induction module.
On successful completion of the UWTSD University Certificate in Professional Chaplaincy (Policing), there is an opportunity for Chaplains to ‘top-up’ this award by studying a further 20 credit module to achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Chaplaincy. Subsequently, the credits achieved can be used to top-up to a Postgraduate Diploma or an MA in Chaplaincy.
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Tuition Fees 2023/24:
Home: £7,800
Overseas: £15,000
Why choose this course?
There are clear benefits of these programmes for both the individual and for the organisation.
For the individual, it recognises and builds upon their professional competency and practice by providing an appropriate, focused and useful programme of continuing professional development.
For the organisations, it will help develop academic and practitioner research and hence a corpus of knowledge that will enhance the contribution and professionalism of Chaplains and the impact they can have.
What you will learn
A Blended Learning Approach
The programmes take a blended learning approach enabling work-based learners to complete much of the programme online at a distance, providing the flexibility they require to accommodate employment and study. However, annual face-to-face events allow learners to synthesise and further develop the learning to date.
The programmes are proposed in progressive, bite-sized chunks of learning (University Certificate, PGCert, PGDip and MA), offering learners the opportunity to progress through the various awards, undertaking between 40 and 180 credits worth of CPD.
The first module, Professional Chaplaincy involves tuition both from PCUK practitioners and UWTSD. Its tuition is ‘front-loaded’ to allow sufficient time for suitable learner reflection throughout the first year and application of theory to meaningful professional practice.
Learners are expected to apply theoretical concepts and principles to practical contexts.
The initial programme, the University Certificate ‘Professional Chaplaincy’, worth 40 Level 7 credits, allows for the completion of a critical reflective diary of work undertaken ensuring that current professional practice is considered. Learners will also be asked to reflect on and complete an assignment concerning the ethical issues that face them during their deployments in the workplace.
In the ‘top-up’ to Postgraduate Certificate, learners can choose one of two topics, ‘Multi-Faith Chaplaincy in Action or Post Traumatic Stress.
In the ‘top-up’ to a Postgraduate Diploma, the programme further considers the professionalisation of the Chaplaincy role and how individuals operate in critical and major incidents and also how they lead volunteers within the workforce.
To complete the MA learners will focus on an area of interest producing a research study.
This illustrates the ability to work independently, critically reflect and also operate strategically by completing a research study and contributing to the needs of an organisation.
UniCert, PGCert, PGDip & MA
- Multi-faith Chaplaincy in Action (20 credits; optional)
- Post-Traumatic Stress (20 credits; optional)
- Professional Chaplaincy (40 credits; optional)
- Recognition and Accreditation of Learning (RAL) (20 credits; optional).
PGDip & MA
- Critical and Major Incidents (20 credits; compulsory)
- Independent Study (20 credits; compulsory)
- Leading Volunteers (20 credits; compulsory).
MA
- Chaplaincy Major Project (60 credits; compulsory).
Assessment methods that are both formative and summative are varied, contemporary, and linked to professional practice.
Formative assessment is used extensively throughout the programmes to prepare and rehearse students for the summative assessment; this is achieved via practical exercises undertaken online and/or discussed in scheduled sessions, e.g. case studies, practical work and presentations by learners. Each module is assessed summatively through individual assessment tasks that provide feedback on a learner’s performance for the module and feed-forward guidance to support learners in subsequent modules/learning.
A range of summative methods is employed. Exams are not used in the programmes because the assessment focuses on the rehearsal of activities typically undertaken in the chaplaincy environment. Assessment includes written assignments, reports, presentations, and reflective diaries that test knowledge, understanding, cognitive skills, and practical and key (transferable) skills that mirror the learners' skills within their employment role. Coursework is the primary assessment strategy. It facilitates assessment that synthesises knowledge and understanding, cognitive, practical and key skills using methods appropriate to both the level of study and workplace requirements.
Coursework and practical assessment tasks are set in a variety of formats. These include:
- Reflective diaries
- Presentations
- Management reports
- Essays
- Research projects.
Swansea Business Campus
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Key Information
- Julian Williams
- Bronwen Victoria Williams (Academic Director)
Degree (2:2) or relevant professional experience.
The aim is for Chaplaincy to be viewed as a profession, with a more representative workforce, that will align the right skills, powers and experience to meet challenging requirements. As the role of the chaplain becomes further embedded in public services there is a need to ensure that continuous professional development is available which is academically accredited and recognises the skills and knowledge of people required by the role. This MA Chaplaincy portfolio of programmes provides this accredited CPD route.
There are clear benefits of these programmes for both the individual in that it recognises and builds upon their professional competency and practice by providing an appropriate, focused and useful programme of continuing professional development.
The skills gained during the programme are also transferable to other professions or organisations.
There are no additional costs associated with this programme, although students would be expected to have access to IT equipment and would have to cover own travel costs to campus.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
Please visit our Accommodation pages for more information.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions related to the University or to this course in particular.
