MA Islam and Pastoral Care
Overview
The MA Islam and Pastoral Care programme is designed for students seeking to advance their careers in pastoral care and aspire to play leadership and management roles in faith-based spiritual and emotional support within an Islamic framework. The programme develops acritical comprehension of Islam and its application to pastoral care in the modern world. Students will develop an in-depth and critical understanding of emotional and spiritual care theory, practice, psychotherapy and counselling skills in a faith context. They will examine the role of pastoral care in Islam, the teachings of the Quran and Hadith and Islamic jurisprudence related to counselling and guidance, and the application of Islamic ethics in pastoral settings. The programme draws on modern perspectives and tools from psychology, psychotherapy, social care and counselling skills to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, faith-based, ethically grounded, and spiritually enriching pastoral care to diverse people (faith and non-faith), promoting holistic well-being and resilience.
The MA in Islam and Pastoral Care is offered full-time (12months, over three semesters) and part-time (24 months, over six semesters).The programme employs various teaching and learning methods in and outside the classroom. The modules are delivered through blended learning, combining traditional class-based methods and guided independent study with online learning.
Validating University: This course has been validated by Birmingham Newman University.
Course structure
The Course is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis.
Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert): Awarded on the basis of 60 credits which must include 45 credits from core modules.
Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip): Awarded on the basis of 120 credits.
MA Degree: 180 credits (including the dissertation)
Contact hours
Contact hours or guided learning hours are the number of hours a student will be taught and/or supported by their tutors during their studies. This includes direct teaching, guidance or supervision time. In addition, students are expected to spend additional time to attempt tutor set tasks and reading, completing their assessments, as well as independent study to learn the material covered in order to complete the qualification.
Each module is worth a certain number of credits. Each credit is estimated to be 10 hours of learning. For example, a 20-credit module requires 200 hours of learning, and this will include scheduled contact hours with your tutor(four hours/week online and/or in-person class attendance, and 48 hours over a 12 weeks semester). The remaining time is for the student to engage in tutor guided reading and tasks set for them, and also completing assessments.
The modules will be delivered by blended learning, which employs multiple methods to deliver learning by combining face-to-face interactions with online activities. Face-to-face interactions include lectures, seminars/tutorials, student presentations, and one-to-one support. In addition, students will be expected to engage in independent study to prepare for weekly classes, formative assessments, and coursework for each module..
Teaching staff
Students will be taught by a highly qualified, enthusiastic team of academics with wide-ranging research interests. Their research is used in lectures and seminars so you learn about the latest issues impacting the subject area.
Entry requirements
Typical offer: Candidates will generally need an honours degree from a UK university or an overseas university as an equivalent, as confirmed by UK ENIC (formerly NARIC). Students may also enter with up to 60 Level 7 credits via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
International applicants: Please see the following link on this website for the entry requirements for international students: https://www.mihe.ac.uk/international-students
Fees and funding
Career paths
Graduates of the Masters in Islam, Pastoral Care and Counselling programme may proceed onto PhD research. Career choices include senior pastoral care/chaplaincy roles in a range of contexts including education, prison and probation services, and social and health care professions; youth and community work; policy making roles in pastoral care at local and national governmental level, and advisory/consultative positions in NGOs, the charitable sector, international corporations, interfaith relations, media and research.
How to apply
All prospective students must complete an online application form on this website. To gain a place at the Markfield Institute, you must meet our general entry requirements and the specific entry requirements of your chosen course.
The Admissions Team will review your application and decide whether your application should receive an offer. Specific entrance requirements for individual courses can be found on individual course pages on this website. Entry to our postgraduate programmes usually requires a good Honours degree, or equivalent if you were educated outside the UK.
After considering an application and associated documents, MIHE will email the candidate about the outcome of his/her application. Successful candidates will be sent an offer letter by email informing them about fees and the level and exact title of the course. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed by email.
If you have difficulty in completing the online application form for any reason, please get in touch with admissions@mihe.ac.uk
