马克菲尔德高等教育学院

The MA in Islam, Pastoral Care and Counselling programme critically explores theological and practical issues related to Muslim chaplaincy. The course will provide students with a critical understanding of the background of pastoral care in Islam and its history and encourage them to reflect theologically on the demands Islam places on the concept of Khidmah (service). The programme includes a range of optional modules that prepare students to contextualise their studies while addressing contemporary pastoral care challenges.

The need for Muslim chaplains in universities, hospitals, prisons and in the armed services in the UK and Europe, in general, is now well established. Muslims chaplains are required to provide high quality pastoral and spiritual care in a variety of contexts. This programme employs a multi-disciplinary approach to working with people and offers a grounding in both pastoral and theological aspects of the chaplaincy role.

Based on the developmental needs of Muslim communities, this programme would be of interest to those who wish to enhance the intellectual, as well as, reflective and practical competence of the subject. It should be useful to practitioners of chaplaincy, ‘ulama, ‘alimahs, along with those who wish to develop their reflective skills that will enable them to understand and assess Islamic approaches to pastoral care.

MIHE offers an opportunity to study Muslim Chaplaincy based on Islamic sources along with contemporary critical analysis applied to the study of Islam and modern Muslim society. Specialist staff offer expertise in Muslim chaplaincy, via a friendly teaching environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

Programme Structure

Postgraduate Certificate: Awarded on the basis of 60 credits which must include 45 credits from core modules.
Postgraduate Diploma: Awarded on the basis of 120 credits, as for the MA degree but excluding the dissertation module.
MA Degree: 180 credits including the dissertation.

Career Paths

Graduates of the Masters in Islam, Pastoral Care and Counselling programme may proceed onto PhD research. Career choices include senior chaplaincy roles in a range of contexts; policy making roles at local and national governmental level, and advisory/consultative positions in NGOs, the charitable sector, international corporations, interfaith relations, media and research, along with a wide range of options in the educational sector.

A Master’s degree in Islam, Pastoral Care and Counselling may be beneficial for imams/religious ministers, chaplains, plus lecturers/teachers who are aspiring to further advance their careers.

Students can also exit with Pgdip/PgCert awards.