Master's Degree in Theology with Specialisation in Liturgy

The Master’s programme in liturgy of the Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth is conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Liturgy. It offers candidates the opportunity to study liturgy under its theological, historical, ritual, spiritual and pastoral aspects. Combining theory and practice, the programme is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills for their future or continued work in liturgy at parish, community or diocesan level.
Admission Requirements
Aims of the Liturgy Course
Programme of Study
Content
Admission Requirements
- The minimum entry requirement for the MTh programme is an honours primary degree with Theology comprising at least an equal joint component
- Candidates should normally have obtained at least Second Class Honours, Grade I overall and Second Class Honours, Grade I in Theology
- An interview will be part of the selection procedure
- The Faculty of Theology may also accept applicants who, it deems, have achieved an equivalent standard. Where an applicant's qualifications are insufficient for admission to the MTh a Qualifying Programme and Examination may be provided.
- Candidates whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirement of Faculty of Theology. Candidates will normally be expected to register year by year on a continuous basis until they have completed their degree. Candidates wishing to suspend registration may do so only on the express permission of the Faculty.
Aims of the Liturgy Course
- Provides a comprehensive training in liturgy and a leadership role in pastoral work
- Prepares for parish and diocesan ministry
- Prepares for further studies in Liturgy (PhD)
Programme of Study
- The duration of the programme is two years
- The first year is considered a year of full-time study in one of the options below. In the second year the candidate, takes one seminar course in the first semester and completes a thesis
- Candidates must successfully complete the Postgraduate Induction Week
Content
- Candidates complete five seminar courses and write a minor dissertation (25,000-30,000 words)
- In Year One, the candidate takes four seminar courses in Liturgical Theology - two in each semester, as well as auditing certain elements of the Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy conducted by the National Centre for Liturgy
- In Year Two, the candidate takes one module and completes the minor dissertation
- Indicative Modules:
- Liturgy: Ritual, Theological and Historical Approaches
- Dimensions of Christian Worship
- Sacramental Theology: Liturgical and Systematic Aspects
- Word and Lection
- The Pastoral Practice of Liturgy