Diploma in Third Age Mission and Ministry
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 elderly people is especially needed. The Third Age Mission and Ministry diploma is a two-year part-time and distance learning undergraduate diploma directed at those working with older people whether through Church events, pastoral visitation, weekday clubs, care homes or social centres. The teaching is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, group tutorials and individual learning.
As with the other three other diplomas we offer, 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 focused optional research project, the course covers the following areas (units):
- 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 (optional)
STOP PRESS! New for 2013-14 is a new optional teaching unit focussed on Schools Mission and Ministry, resourced by Cliff College and our partners Youth for Christ. This gives students involved in any Christian ministry in the primary and secondary education sector further skills and theological resources for that work. More details on application.
The teaching is delivered through five individual residential teaching weeks (Mon–Fri) spread over the wo years (three in year 1, two 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 week.
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 manages the part time vocational mission and ministry courses at Cliff College. Teaching is provided by members of the Cliff College teaching staff, plus a variety of experts in the field including input by our partners Methodist Homes for the Aged and CPAS.
There is a limited number of 15 places available per year on this popular course. If you are interested in applying, please download:
Or, should you wish it to be sent by mail, please contact the course administrator for an application form and prospectus.
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, in this case older people, for at least 100 hours per year.
Prospective students will either:
- have completed 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-16 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 in support of their application in this case.
Successful completion of this course allows progression to the BA (Hons) in Mission and Ministry.
For further information on any of our undergraduate courses, please contact the course administrator.
