Diploma in Third Age Mission and Ministry
Taking Applications now for Autumn 2012! BE One of the first students on this Important New course focussed on Christian ministry and Mission amongst older, Third and Fourth Age Generation people!
In an ageing population, effective and creative work with older people is becoming an urgent need of our time, and thoughtful reflection on the nature of Christian ministry with old people is especially needed. The Third Age Mission and Ministry diploma is a two year part-time/distance learning undergraduate diploma directed at those working with older people whether through Church events, pastoral visitation, weekday clubs, care homes, social centres. The teaching is offered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, group tutorials and individual learning.
As with the other two vocational diplomas we offer in children’s and youth ministry, students on the course will find it stretching and very affirming of the work they are doing, whether professionally or on a voluntary basis. This course provides unique training in work with older people, with the Cliff emphasis on mission and ministry. It aims to produce ‘reflective practitioners', students who are rooted in ministry but have reflected biblically, theologically and culturally on the issues surrounding that ministry.
Using current experience with older people as the student placement, and assessed by assignments and a focussed research project, the course covers the following unit areas:
- The Third Age ministry context: Biblical and Contemporary
- Third Age culture: Issues facing Older People
- The Third Age worker: Personal and Professional Development
- Reaching Older People: Mission Theology
- Older People: Spirituality and Church
- Research Project
The teaching is offered through five week long residential teaching units spread over the 2 years (3 in year 1, 2 in year 2), supported by supervised distance learning. In addition to the research project of 6,000 words which is delivered at the end of the course, a variety of assignments are set for completion between each teaching block.
This course, as with all our undergraduate courses, is validated by The University of Manchester and provides unique training in mission and ministry amongst older people. The Programme Leader is Ian White MA PGDip, who heads up the part-time Vocational Ministry Courses in Children's, Youth and Third Age ministry at Cliff College, working alongside the Course Tutor, Claire Craig, with teaching by a variety of experts in the field including input by our partners Methodist Homes for the Aged and CPAS, plus members of the Cliff College teaching staff.
There is a limit of 15 students for the first intake of this new course. If you are interested, then download the TAMM application form, reference form and prospectus.
Or please contact our Undergraduate Administrator for an application form and prospectus should you wish it to be sent by mail.
Click here to view the Part-time courses promotional video.
Qualifications required for all Part-Time Diploma courses
Admission to any of the part-time diploma courses is based on appraisal of qualities of character, perceived potential and Christian conviction. Evidence of academic potential and ability to profit from study is essential. Potential is assessed through references (including academic references for those recently in education) and an interview at the College or by a course tutor. As with all our vocational courses, students will need to have contact with their client age group for at least 100 hours per year.
Prospective students will either:
- have completed the Cliff College Certificate in Biblical and Evangelistic Ministry (validated by the University of Sheffield at Level 4) OR the Cliff College Certificate in Theology (validated by the University of Manchester at Level 4)
- have undertaken equivalent courses of study (Level 4) OR
- have evidence of post-sixteen study and significant experience in the relevant field and focus of the diploma course (students will be required to complete and submit an APEL (Accredited Prior Experiential Learning) form have evidence of post-sixteen study and significant experience in the relevant field and focus of the diploma course.
Successful completion of the CMM, YMM or TAMM courses allows progression to the BA (Hons) in Mission and Ministry.
