Diploma in Pastoral Ministry

The Diploma in Pastoral Ministry (DPM) is awarded to students who have successfully completed a 2-year part-time programme devoted to the study of Pastoral Ministry.

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Professional Programmes - Part Time	2 Years
Fees and Funding
Application Deadline:	30th April 2025 For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications may be considered).
	01st March 2025 For non EU
Course Start Date:	September 2025

Introduction

The Diploma in Pastoral Ministry (DPM) is awarded to students who have successfully completed a 2-year part-time programme devoted to the study of Pastoral Ministry.

Description

Contact cmmadmissions@spcm.ie for any application queries

The purpose of the programme is to provide learners with a foundational theological grounding in the Catholic faith, to develop practical skills and competencies for designated ministries in a parish / pastoral area or diocesan setting and to form them as reflective practitioners for collaborative ministry

The aims of this programme are:

To equip lay pastoral ministers with a broad knowledge of the theological content of their faith.
To foster the development of a reflective approach to ministry thereby ensuring a fruitful meeting between faith and contemporary culture.
To deepen awareness and appreciation of the wide variety of the forms of ecclesial ministry, lay and ordained.
To form people in collaborative approaches to pastoral ministry
To enable candidates to acquire skills and resources that will sustain them throughout their ministry.

Career Outcomes

The programme provides an accessible route to formation for lay ministries to meet needs identified in diocesan strategic plans.

Catechists / faith formators, to work with families and children in the parish who are preparing for the three great sacraments of welcome – Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation and also those who provide faith formation opportunities for children, youth and adults in parish and pastoral settings.
Pastoral Care Workers, to work with the sick and the housebound and to assist families in the time around funerals and bereavement.
Leaders of Parish Prayer with Scripture, to lead communities in prayer and Liturgy.

Course Structure

Learners take 15 credits per semester over four semesters. Modules are divided into a Theological Core (30 credits), Skills and Competencies Modules (10 credits) and Reflective Practice, which consists of Placement and Pastoral Theological Reflection (20 credits). Learners choose the Skills and Competencies modules depending on their stream.