Module: Professional & Spiritual Development 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Professional & Spiritual Development 1
Module Code	WEL1000 (ITS: ED8092)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module provides the student chaplain with a formation under supervision to enable her/him to undertake the responsibilities of chaplaincy and pastoral work. In order to progress between semesters and to final qualification the student chaplain must demonstrate satisfactory professional performance and suitability.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand and be competent to apply knowledge from theological and educational disciplines to the work of chaplaincy
2. exhibit competence as a reflective practitioner, and openness to continuing professional development
3. demonstrate readiness to assume the role and responsibilities of Chaplain/Pastoral Worker
4. apply current thinking to pastoral work and faith formation
5. engage sensitively in faith formation and faith development initiatives in an invitational and inclusive manner appropriate to the context, and the cultural and religious diversity present
6. exhibit personal and professional skills necessary to work as a Chaplain /Pastoral Worker
7. demonstrate the ability to manage her/his own work as Chaplain/Pastoral Worker and to integrate this with the work of others in providing an effective chaplaincy service.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Clinical placement	200	No Description
Group work	26	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10456	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Thomas Grenham	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	10457	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Thomas Grenham	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Professional Portfolio	Plans and Reflections on practice Attendance and participation in weekly pastoral professional supervision Pastoral covenants Verbatims (&reflections) Ministry Reports (&reflections) Semester papers Placement profile Appraisal proposals (2) Appraisal scripts (2)	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Professionalism and professional issues

Placement; planning and evaluation

Spirituality

Skills

Current issues in chaplaincy

Contexts of chaplaincy

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Christopher Swift: 2015, A Handbook of Chaplaincy Studies, Routledge, New York, 9871472434050
Miranda Threlfall-Holme: 2011, Being a Chaplain, SPCK Publishing, London, 160, 9780281063857
Mary M. Toole: 2006, Handbook for Chaplains Comfort my people, Paulist Press, USA,
Naomi Paget: 2006, The Work of the Chaplain, Judson Pr,
Victoria Slater: 2015, Chaplaincy Ministry and the Mission of the Church, scm, London, 9780334053156
John Caperon: 2015, A Vital Ministry: Chaplaincy in Schools in the Post-Christian Era, scm, London, 9780334052197
David Pohlmann: 2013, School Chaplaincy: An Introduction, 2016, Morning Star Publishing,
James O'Higgins Norman: 2014, Education Matters: Reading in Pastoral Care for School Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors and Teachers, Veritas, Dublin, 9781847305695
David O'Malley: 2008, School Ethos and Chaplaincy, Don Bosco Publications, UK,
Mary McKeone: 1993, Wasting Time in School: Secondary School Chaplaincy, a Story and a Handbook, St. Paul Publications,
Sullivan, Winnifred Fallers,: 2014, A ministry of presence: chaplaincy, spiritual care, and the law, Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press, London,
2016: Sports chaplaincy: trends, issues and debates, Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey, 1676530
2010: An improbable feast: the surprising dynamic of hospitality at the heart of multifaith chaplaincy, Lulu.com, Australia, 1676531
2017: Multifaith chaplaincy in the workplace: how chaplains can support organizations and their employees, Jessica Kingsley Publishers,, London; Philadelphia:, 1676532
2015: A handbook of chaplaincy studies: understanding spiritual care in public places, Burlington, VT: Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey, England, 1676533
1995: Chaplains to the imprisoned: sharing life with the incarcerated, Haworth Press,, New York, 1676534
2005: The hospital chaplain's handbook: a guide for good practice, Canterbury, Norwich England, 1676535
2012: Professional spiritual & pastoral care: a practical clergy and chaplain's handbook, : SkyLight Paths Pub., Woodstock, Vt.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None