Overview
The MA in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care is available to those seeking to study a carefully designed course of special relevance to the role of the chaplaincy today.
Why Study MA Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care at CCCU?
Canterbury Christ Church University is uniquely positioned in the UK as the only Church Foundation University with both a Theology team and a Medical School (the Kent and Medway Medical School). This makes for a distinctive opportunity for highly specialised interdisciplinary study in this area, supported across the institution. Further, the University is also home to the National Institute for Christian Education Research, which is fully engaged with work relevant to the leadership of “Faith Schools” and Religious Education. As a Church of England Foundation, the University also has a vibrant and well-supported Chaplaincy team of its own, which, in addition to delivering pastoral care, actively contributes to academic research in this area.
As well as providing a postgraduate qualification in theology and religious studies, the course develops knowledge and understanding relevant to charity and community work, to hospital and other types of chaplaincy, as well as to educational institutions and the school sector.
The MA Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care provides a qualification relevant to the professional and specialist vocation of chaplains. Normally, students on this route award will already have professional pastoral roles as chaplains, and they will be expected to draw on their experiences as appropriate to their academic course. Should a student following this route not have a professional role as a chaplain, they will be expected to engage with academic theory applicable to this pastoral role, thus developing skills and knowledge of relevance to this vocation. The course will give essential postgraduate experience for those planning to go on to a PhD, and give you an edge in the professional job market.
All about the course
The course is made up of carefully designed curriculum covering key areas of study. You will begin with core modules on Chaplaincy in the Mission of the Church, and Religion and the Common Good, with options in either Interfaith Dialogue, or Contemporary Religious Thought. These lead on to modules on Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, and Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics, with options in either Critical Spirituality and Reflective Practice, or Biblical Interpretation. Finally, students complete a dissertation on a relevant topic. Each module has been deliberately designed to enable expertly-informed reflection on Chaplaincy and the common good.
Entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree, in Theology, Religious Studies, or a relevant subject discipline. Holders of other qualifications will be considered individually.
If English is not your first language you require an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0.
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated IELTS web page.
Module information
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
Your degree will offer you a challenging and stimulating course that encourages critical thinking and lively debate. Your lecturers will support, nurture and challenge you as you develop as an independent thinker.
You will be taught by a team of exceptional tutors, all researching and publishing in their fields, with expertise in topics such as pastoral theology, faith relations, applied ethics, Christian education, and spiritual care. Existing CCCU Chaplaincy provision maintains networking connections with chaplaincy teams across the HE sector nationally, as well as with chaplaincy provision in other sectors. Connections are also in place with relevant religious bodies and institutions, many of which provide support for the role. This MA is shared with the National Institute for Christian Education Research as well as the Kent and Medway Medical School. Guest speakers representing different faith communities and key professional contexts make a significant contribution to teaching and discussion.
How you’ll be assessed
Each module is assessed by coursework equivalent to 4,000 words. The one exception to this rule is the dissertation module, which is assessed by a total of 15,000 words of individual work on a topic relevant to the course.
Your future career
This course is specifically designed to provide professional and educational development of chaplains. The course is a significant qualification in its own right, but if you wish to pursue further study it will also give you the opportunity to progress to a PhD. The research and writing skills you’ll gain will enhance your employability relevant to careers in wellbeing and spiritual care, teaching, and charitable organisations.
Fees
Government loans are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.
The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 456.
Tuition fees for this course
| UK | Overseas | |
| Full-time | £9,545 | £15,500 |
20% Alumni Discount
We offer alumni discounts on CCCU Postgraduate Taught, PGCE Primary and Secondary, and Master's by Research courses for eligible students.
Find out if you're eligible for the discount.
Important Information on Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. For further information read the Tuition fee statements and continuing fee information.