Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought, students should be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Articulate an advanced body of knowledge and understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition
2. Critically analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition
3. Demonstrate technical skills associated with an advanced understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition
4. Exercise critical thinking and judgement for identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence on matters pertaining to the Catholic intellectual tradition
5. Communicate and present an advanced exposition of knowledge and concepts essential to the Catholic intellectual tradition
6. Apply reflection, knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, well –developed theoretical and practical judgement and ethical responsibility.

The Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought is ideal for:

• Qualified teachers wishing to gain accreditation to teach “Studies of Catholic Thought” in NSW secondary schools
• Qualified teachers wishing to gain a Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) qualification in the Sydney Archdiocese
• People wishing to deepen their understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition
• Clergy

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any field.

English Proficiency Requirements

Defined as the successful completion of secondary education or a Bachelor’s degree in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.

Students who have English as an Additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained n overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.

All English language tests are valid for two years from the date of completion

Applications for Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered and reviewed on a case by case basis by UNDA's Student Administration.

Students in this program will study philosophy and theology from within the Catholic liberal arts tradition, concentrating on the subject’s main themes of “human person” and “the good life”. They will learn to convey why the Church teaches various contemporary moral and social issues. They will investigate about the Catholic tradition of the arts, including painting, sculpture, music, architecture, film, and literature.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students may only complete this program under part-time study (0.5 FTE - no more than 2 subjects per semester).

To be eligible for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought, students must complete the following required subjects:

• PHTH6008 The Human Person in Catholic Thought
• PHTH6009 The Good Life in Catholic Thought
• PHTH6010 Teaching What the Catholic Church Teaches
• PHTH6011 Education in the Catholic Liberal Arts Tradition

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Catholic Thought students must complete 4 required subjects as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern.