Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL) Cert: Catholic Teacher's Certificate/Award In Religious Understanding

This online programme has been specifically designed to provide students with the requisite understanding of the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology. Students will also learn about the Catholic vision of education and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education in primary and secondary schools. Please note, while open to all, this programme has been designed for Catholic teachers wishing to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools. Successful completion of the programme by Catholic teachers will result in the award of the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL). An Award in Religious Understanding (CREDL) is presented to anyone else completing the programme. The Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL) is recognised by the Bishops of Scotland as a preliminary qualification in Catholic religious education.

Any teacher wishing to be appointed to teach in a Catholic denominational school in Scotland must seek the approval of Church authorities by demonstrating how his/her personal “religious belief and character” enables him/her to undertake the duties of the particular teaching post within the context of a Catholic school, with its particular mission, values and ethos. For those posts which include responsibility for the teaching of Religious Education, teachers must provide evidence of having obtained an appropriate teaching qualification in Catholic Religious Education. The award of a Catholic Teachers Certificate to mark the successful completion of this course will be accepted in all Dioceses as fulfilling the requirements for obtaining “an appropriate teaching qualification in Catholic Religious Education”. However, course applicants should note that this does not negate the requirement to obtain Approval of their religious belief and character prior to appointment.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• The Certificate in Religious Education by Distance Learning (along with the necessary church approval) will allow you to teach in Catholic schools.

• It will provide you with the requisite understanding of the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology, the Catholic vision of education and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education.

• This programme is also recommended if you are a qualified teacher and want to re-visit your understanding of these issues as part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

• It can be completed concurrently with a BEd or PGDE programme and the MA Primary Education in Dumfries, (or subsequently on completion of any of these programmes).

• CREDL is the University of Glasgow route for qualified teachers or students studying an ITE programme at other universities.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
CREDL is the University of Glasgow route for qualified teachers or students studying an ITE programme at other universities.

Core Courses
CREDL: Aspects of Theological Education 1
CREDL: Aspects of Theological Education 2

For each course you will produce a portfolio, a 1,500-word essay.