New Teaching Qualification Available
at University of Otago College of Education
Otago University is now offering a new Degree and Graduate Diploma that will enable students to be even better prepared to be teachers in Catholic Schools. This course will be of interest to potential teachers from throughout New Zealand.
Students will now be able to do up to seven papers in Theology and Religious Studies as part of a conjoint Bachelor of Education Studies (with a specialist year in Religious Education) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Hence, as well as completing the two qualifications which will prepare a student to teach in a primary school, the student will do up to seven papers in Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History, Pastoral Studies or Religious Studies and an internship paper (worth 36 points, and so the equivalent of two papers) which will focus on the area of Religious Education.
The conjoint degree and diploma will mean students undertaking the specialist year in Religious Education will have an ideal background for teaching in Catholic Schools, or for becoming, in due course, Directors of Religious Education. The conjoint degree and diploma will also mean that graduates of this programme will be eligible for Q3+ salary.
The new programme has been made possible by the merger of the Dunedin College of Education with the University of Otago, forming the University of Otago College of Education. This means there can be an even closer cooperation between the College of Education and the University of Otago's Department of Theology and Religious Studies. This builds on the long-standing cooperation in Dunedin between the Catholic Education Office, the College of Education and the University of Otago.
Students will be able to study a whole range of papers in Theology and Religious Studies as part of the new programme. These papers include papers on The Prophets; The Gospels; Jesus in the New Testament; Modern Christianity; Christology; The Trinity; Spirit, Church and Sacraments; Pastoral Counselling; The Person in Ministry; Hinduism and Buddhism; The Religion of Islam and The Body in Asian Religions. Such papers will enable teachers to bring a wealth of understanding to the classroom and school.
Tony Hanning, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Dunedin, commended the initiative of the Otago University College of Education in developing this new and unique course. Anyone preparing for a long-term career path in the Catholic school system should consider enrolling for this course. Our office is happy to advise on suitable opportunities for undertaking the internship paper.
For further information contact:
Co-ordinator of Catechetical Studies
Sister Jan Ogilvy OP
Jm.ogilvy@otago.ac.nz
Ph 03 479 4987
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