Undergraduate Programmes

Baccalaureate in Theology (B.Th.)

Honours Bachelor Degree – Level 8 (HD)

2010 Entry CAO Course Code: MU002 Basic Information

? Baccalaureate in Theology (B.Th.) CAO Code MU002

? It is an Honours Bachelor degree - level 8 (HD)

? The programme extends over three years.

? It is a full-time degree programme.

? The Baccalaureate in Theology (B.Th.) is designed for students who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the Christian faith by following a primary degree programme devoted to theological study.

? The B.Th. is awarded by the Pontifical University of Maynooth.

Course Topics Systematic Theology considers why Christians believe and what they believe in order to lead students to a deeper understanding of the basis and the content of the Christian faith. Moral Theology is the study of morality as understood in the Christian tradition. Scripture examines the interpretation and significance of the Bible and studies the principal books of the Old and New Testaments. Some of the topics explored over the three year programme include:

? Christianity and World Religions

? Introduction to Moral Theology

? Issues in Contemporary Ethics

? Human Rights in Moral Reasoning

? Jewish Roots of Christian Faith

? Introduction to Liturgy and Initiation

? Philosophy

? Theology of Creation and Redemption

? Canon Law

? Evangelisation, Mission & Dialogue

? Tradition and Diversity

? Prophetic Literature in the Old Testament

? Wisdom Literature

? History of the Early Church

? Law in the Life of the Church

Career Options

Some graduates of the BA in Theology enter into the teaching profession, both at second and third level. In terms of second level teaching, the BTh, followed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), fulfils the academic requirement of the Teaching Council for its admission of graduates to the Open or General Register of Teachers. Alternatively, graduates may enter into careers involving the following:

? Social Work

? Religious Project Co-ordinator

? Administration

? Community Development

? Public / Private Sectors

? Pastoral Care

? School Chaplaincy

? Healthcare Chaplaincy

? Third Level Chaplaincy

? Research Administrator

? Parish Administration

? Librarian

Baccalaureate in Theology & Arts

(B.A.Th.)

Honours Bachelor Degree – Level 8 (HD) 2010 Entry CAO Course Code: MU001

Basic Information

? Baccalaureate in Theology & Arts (B.A.Th.) CAO Code MU001

? It is an Honours Bachelor degree - Level 8 (HD)

? The programme extends over three years

? It is a full-time degree programme.

? It is similar to a BA but is designed for students who wish to combine the study of Theology with the study of Arts for their degree.

? Students take Theology in the Faculty of Theology in the Pontifical University; for the Arts component they follow the regular BA courses of the Faculties at N.U.I. Maynooth.

? First-year students take THREE subjects: Theology plus TWO other Arts subjects.

? Second and third year students take Theology and ONE Arts subject.

? The B.A.Th. is awarded by the Pontifical University, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Career Options

The theology graduate is equipped to take an active role in the intellectual and pastoral life of the Church, while bringing a broader perspective to the civil position or profession which he/she is likely to take up. They are valued for their academic training, their ability to reason clearly and their capacity to take an overview of the problem or situation confronting them. Many, but by no means all, graduates of the BA in Theology and Arts enter the teaching profession. The BATh, followed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), fulfils the academic requirement of the Teaching Council for its admission of graduates to the Open or General Register of Teachers. Recent graduates of Theology & Arts have entered into careers involving the following:

? Teaching

? Marketing

? Business

? Pastoral Work

? Communications

? Publishing

? Journalism

? Public Relations

? Finance

? Social Services

? The Civil Service

? Public / Private Sectors

? Administration

? Community Development

? R.E. Project Co-ordinator

? Research Administrator

? School Chaplaincy

? Healthcare Chaplaincy

? Third Level Chaplaincy

? Parish Administration