Certificate in Religious Education for Primary School
Programme Overview
The Certificate in Religious Education for Primary School aims to contribute to the theological and pedagogical development of qualified primary school teachers and other teachers of children of primary school age and to equip them with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to teach Religious Education within Irish primary schools and for sacramental preparation.
Given this focus, this programme would also be of interest to parents of primary school children and parish catechists working with children of primary school age.
Applications and Selections
Complete our online application process using this link:
Certificate in Religious Education (Primary Schools) Application Form 2024-2025
Please take note of the following to make completion of the application as easy as possible.
- Applications must be completed in one sitting. For the most efficient completion of the application form, please use Google Chrome and Laptop or Computer.
- Please answer ALL mandatory questions.
- Please email a certified copy of examination transcripts and a certified copy of birth and marriage certificates (these will not be returned) to mary.kearns@atu.ie or provide your Teaching Council Registration number.
- Please provide IELTS or TOEFL certificate for applicants whose first language is not English.
Application Fee
Upon completion of this form please pay the €25 non-refundable Application Fee via www.stangelaspayments.com
- Please enter 00000 in the ‘student no’ field,
- Select “Other” as Payment type
- Select “Certificate in Religious Education (Primary School) – Application Fee” as the course related to this payment.
Programme Fees
The total programme fee is €780 which is payable upon registration via www.stangelaspayments.com
Closing Date and Offers
The closing date for applications is 12th June 2024.
You will be sent an email confirming that you have a place or otherwise during the week commencing Monday 8th July 2024.
For any queries, please contact the School of Education:
E: education.stangelas@atu.ie
T: +353 (0)71 9179624
Who Teaches this Programme
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
The programme is open to:
- Qualified primary school teachers;
- Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching.
In addition, the programme would be open to parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education.
Additional Requirements
Duration
One year (part-time)
Next start date
September 2024
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
25
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
12th June 2024
NFQ level
Level 7
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
Certificate in Religious Education for Primary School
CAO
Programme code
Programme Outline
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- express a degree of theological insight
- show an awareness of the theological and educational underpinning of Religious Education within the primary school programme
- demonstrate a range of teaching skills appropriate to the delivery of Religious Education within primary schools
- deliver primary school RE programmes
- participate with competence and confidence in sacramental preparation
- demonstrate an integration of their personal and professional development.
The Certificate is part-time with online delivery and some face-to-face lectures .
Module 1: Fundamental Theology and Foundational Ethics
Module 2: Biblical Studies and Biblical Christology
Module 3: Ecclesiology and Sacramental Theology
Module 4: RE in the Primary School
Module 4 will run throughout the year concurrently with the other modules and its delivery and assessment will be based specifically on the particular teaching context of the participating teachers.
Why Choose This Programme?
Career Opportunities
Who’s Suited to This Programme
The Certificate in Religious Education for Primary School is designed to provide qualified primary school teachers with a basic preparation and qualification in teaching Religious Education within Irish primary schools. Given this focus it would also be of interest to parents of primary school children and parish catechists working with children of primary school age.
For those who have qualified to teach in a primary school, but have not received a Certificate in Catholic Primary Education, this programme meets the requirement as outlined by the Irish Bishops' Conference, and allows for career development, especially in the Catholic Primary sector.
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Programme Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Application Fee: €25 (non-refundable)
Fees can be paid securely through our Online Payment Facility
Find out More
Ms Mary Kearns
Senior Administrator
School of Education
ATU St Angelas
T: +353(0)71 9179624
E: mary.kearns@atu.ie
What Our Students Say
Seán Grealy | Certificate in Religious Education (Primary School)
As a parent, I was delighted to get the opportunity to broaden the intellectual underpinnings of my faith so as to be better able to catechise my children. The course exposed me to areas of Christian doctrine I hadn’t ever thought much about and with which I had to acquaint myself academically for the first time. The online presentations and resources, and the essay format used for assessment, meant that the course was ideal for busy people, as the student had full control over when he or she accessed the material.