About Us


Admissions


Current Students


News & Events


Support the College


Alumni


Contact


Library




Religious Education

Equip yourself with a deeper understanding of Catholic theology, greater competence in the teaching of religion, stronger leadership in religious education programs, and an enriched spiritual life.


This program is designed for the preparation of teachers of religious education, both in Catholic schools and in parishes. Combining knowledge of theology with educational theory and practice, this program introduces students to the Catholic theological tradition and to the skills essential for teaching the faith in a variety of contexts.

Build towards a Master's degree. Credits earned at one level can count towards requirements of a higher level program. Students can start with a Graduate Certificate, build to a Graduate Diploma and then to a Master's degree.

  • Master of Arts in Religious Education (42 credits)


    Program Goals

    This program is designed to:
    (1)    foster a deeper understanding and integration of Catholic theology and its connection to educational ministry;
    (2)    develop the knowledge and pastoral skills required for effective educational ministry in contemporary contexts;
    (3)    encourage growth in personal and spiritual maturity.

    CORE COURSES (27 credits)

    PHIL 501: Philosophical Themes of Catholic Theology
    THEO 501: Foundations of Theology
    SCRI 500: Introduction to the Old Testament*
    SCRI 510: Introduction to the New Testament*
    THEO 510: Christology and Trinity
    THEO 530: Christian Morality
    THEO 540: Liturgy and Sacraments
    THEO 551: Ecclesiology of Vatican II
    HIST 505: History of the Church

    * SCRI 505: Introduction to Scripture + SCRI 516: Johannine Literature, SCRI 521: St. Paul’s Epistles, SCRI 532: Torah, or others could replace SCRI 500 + SCRI 510


    CONCENTRATION COURSES (9 credits)

    THEO 525: Theology of Ministry

    Plus two of the following courses:
    RLED 512: Catechetics
    RLED 514: Theories of Religious Development
    CALR 526: Curriculum, Assessment and Evaluation in Catholic schools
    CALR 510: Leadership and Aims of Catholic Education
    SPIR 537: Leadership and Spirituality
    THEO 585: Selected Topics in Theology

    ELECTIVE (3 credits)

    Any 500-level SMC course

    Note: Students can take an elective course with the other Theological Colleges, with approval from the Dean of Theology.

    RESEARCH METHODS (no credits)

    MTHD: Basic Research Skills Modules

    CAPSTONE (3 credits)

    RLED 600: Field-Based Learning Project


    Learning Outcomes
    Students who have successfully completed this program:
    • Students demonstrate an ability to conduct informed biblical interpretation within the Catholic tradition, and demonstrate an understanding of the Church’s teaching and practice from historical, doctrinal and systematic perspectives;
    • Students demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles of Catholic education and develop pastoral skills essential to their application in diverse contexts;
    • Students demonstrate capacities for theory-praxis integration and for theological reflection in the context of educational ministry.





  • Graduate Diploma in Religious Education (24 credits)


    The Graduate Diploma programs consist of 24 credits of core, elective and diploma specific course work.

    12 Credits from the Core Courses (*including required)
    9 Credits of Concentration Courses
    3 Credits Elective (any 500 level course)
     

    CORE COURSES (12 Credits)

    Choose 12 credits including * required courses

    PHIL 501: Philosophical Themes of Catholic Theology
    THEO 551: Ecclesiology of Vatican II
    THEO 501: Foundations of Theology *
    THEO 510: Christology – Trinity
    THEO 530: Christian Morality *
    THEO 540: Liturgy and Sacraments
    HIST 505: History of the Church
    SCRI 500: Introduction to the Old Testament*
    SCRI 510: Introduction to the New Testament*

    * SCRI 505: Introduction to Scripture + SCRI 516: Johannine Literature, SCRI 521: St. Paul’s Epistles, SCRI 532: Torah, or others could replace SCRI 500 + SCRI 510 


    CONCENTRATION COURSES (9 Credits)

    THEO 525: Theology of Ministry 

    Plus two of the following courses:
    RLED 512: Catechetics
    RLED 514: Theories of Religious Development
    CALR 526: Curriculum, Assessment & Evaluation in Catholic Schools
    CALR 510: Leadership and Aims of Catholic Education
    SPIR 537: Leadership and Spirituality 
    THEO 585: Selected Topics in Theology

    ELECTIVE COURSE (3 credits)

    any 500 level SMC course

  • Graduate Certificate in Religious Education (15 credits)


    The Graduate Certificate programs consist of 15 credits of core and certificate specific course work.

    9 Credits of the Core Courses
    6 Credits from Concentration Courses

    CORE COURSES (9 Credits)

    THEO 501: Foundations of Theology
    THEO 530: Christian Morality
    SCRI 505: Introduction to Scripture

    CONCENTRATION COURSES (Choose 2 courses - 6 Credits)

    THEO 525: Theology of Ministry
    CALR 526: Curriculum, Assessment & Evaluation in Catholic Schools
    CALR 510: Leadership and Aims of Catholic Education
    RLED 512: Catechetics
    RLED 514: Theories of Religious Development
    SPIR 537: Leadership and Spirituality
    THEO 585: Selected Topics in Theology


  • Catholic Core (9 credits)


    Catholic Core

    Strengthen your personal faith understanding by starting with our core programming. Credits can later be applied to a Graduate Certificate or Master’s Degree, based on eligibility requirements. Learn more. 


View upcoming courses



keyboard_arrow_up