under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

L.N. 203 of 2010

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in Family Ministry

under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5)

and 75 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the

University of Malta has promulgated the following bye-laws made by the

Board of the Faculty of Theology in virtue of the powers conferred upon

it by article 81 (1) of the said Act and which have been approved by the

Senate of the University of Malta as required by article 81 (2) of the said

Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

Master of Arts in Family Ministry under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires -

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Theology;

"the Course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of

Arts in Family Ministry;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Arts in Family Ministry;

"the Postgraduate Certificate" means the Postgraduate Certificate in Family

Ministry;

"the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in Family

Ministry; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

B

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October 2009

or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a Bachelor

degree or equivalent with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in any area

as deemed relevant by the Board.

(2) Applicants in possession of a degree obtained at Third Class Honours

or at Category III in any area as deemed relevant by the Board may also be admitted,

provided that they have obtained other qualifications, including relevant experience,

following their first cycle degree.

(3) In exceptional cases the Admissions Board, on the recommendation of

the Board, may admit into the Course applicants not in possession of a Bachelor

degree, provided that it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other

academic or professional qualifications and experience that together are deemed to

be comparable to the level of a first degree.

(4) Applicants may be registered as students in the Course if they satisfy

the Board, through an interview, that they have the necessary experience and

aptitude to follow the Course.

(5) (a) The Board shall, after approval by Senate, determine the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register depending on the availability of resources.

The Board shall, however, announce the number of available places at the time of

the call for applications.

(b) If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available

places, the Board shall select applicants according to the following criteria

(i) degree type and classification;

(ii) work experience in the area or a related field; and

(iii) performance during the interview.

(6) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed of at

least three members.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study.

B

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90

credits are assigned, of which 60 credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30

credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(1) Students who obtain the 30 credits assigned to the taught study-units in

the first semester with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the

Course shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 credits assigned to the taught study-units

with an an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or

having proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for

the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the end

of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more

than 20 credits for taught study-units, if following the full-time Course, or not more

than 10 credits if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to

re-sit the failed assessment during the September supplementary examination

session.

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted under

paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

credit for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third semester

of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide

guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3) A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal

shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the end of the second semester.

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor.

B

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each student

under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies, whether the student is

following the course on a full-time or a part-time basis. Such reports may include a

recommendation to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable the

student to complete the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the

supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in accordance

with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (b) until it

has first given the student a chance to be heard.

Classification of the Awards

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of

the Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may

reasonably be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

€0.37