under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

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L.N. 205 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 Youth 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 Youth 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 Youth Ministry;

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

"the Postgraduate Certificate" means the Postgraduate Certificate in Youth

Ministry;

"the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in Youth

Ministry; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

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

2009 or later.

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Requirements for Admission

(1) Applicants shall be, at the time of applying and for the duration of the

Course, engaged and active within a statutory or non-statutory youth work

organisation, and in possession of one of the following qualifications with at least

Second Class Honours or with at least Category II

(a) a Bachelor degree with Theology or Religious Studies as a main area,

or

(b) a Bachelor degree in Youth Studies, or

(c) a Bachelor degree, other than the qualifications indicated in sub-

paragraphs (a) and (b), together with a minimum of two years' experience in youth

work practice in a youth work oriented agency.

(2) Applicants in possession of a degree classified with Third Class

Honours or Category III, together with a minimum of two years' experience in youth

work practice in a youth work oriented agency, 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 a minimum of two years’ professional

experience in youth work practice in a youth work oriented agency 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, following assessment, 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

(ii) performance during the interview.

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

least three members.

Course Duration

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

equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 120

credits are assigned, of which 80 credits are assigned to taught study-units and 40

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 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 assessments 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 30,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

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(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.

(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