Institution: All Hallows College, Dublin

How long has the course been running? Since 1992

Why was it introduced? Because of a demand for further pastoral education for people working or wanting to work in the field.

Course duration: One year full-time, two years part-time.

Course content: Personal, spiritual and group development, applied scripture and theology, perspectives from social sciences, leadership, leadership strategies, supervision and field placement and a dissertation.

Do you have to be religious to do the course?: No. However, the course does contain spiritual elements and students need a basic knowledge of theology, according to Moya Curran, who is All Hallows' co-ordinator of postgraduate studies. Students on the course come from a range of religious backgrounds, she says.

Entry requirements:

A 2:2 degree or a professional qualification (teaching or nursing, for example.) Candidates are interviewed and do a psychological assessment. "We need to be sure that people are well balanced," Curran says. "They could be working with vulnerable people in their field placements. We're looking for people with commitment, who have the potential for leadership. "The course is challenging. It involves a lot of personal reflection and people are exposed to ideas and theories they may not have come across before. One of the biggest issues we examine is loss and grief. They learn about group dynamics and the only way you can do that is by being part of a group."

Where do graduates get jobs?

pastoral care departments in schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, family counselling services, diocesan advisory services, and human resource departments in large companies, to name a few places.

Fees: £3,000 full-time, £1,500 (per annum, part-time)

Contact: Moya Curran. Tel: (01) 837 3745 email:

mcurran@allhallows.ie