Protestant Theology (Ecclesiastical examination)
No enrolment is possible.
Subject: Protestant Religion
Degree: Ecclesiastical examination
Standard period of study: 10 semesters plus 2 language semesters
Start of programme: winter and summer semester
Course description
Students of the Theology programme learn to master the methods used in dealing with the different areas of Theology and acquire broad knowledge of these areas; the disciplines include Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, and Religion Teaching. The students acquire the ability to form scientifically well-founded judgements using the knowledge of the subject and its methodology, so that when they exercise their profession, they can account for the Christian faith in the course of the examination of the current state of affairs. In order to reach this goal, it is necessary for the students to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the matters and problems of the respective theological disciplines. The ecclesiastical examination qualifies graduates to take up the ecclesiastical preparatory training (working as a curate) in accordance with regional ecclesiastical law.
The subject in Göttingen: research focus
Apart from the five "classic" disciplines, the Faculty of Theology offers the subjects Religious Studies, Ecumenical Christianity, and Jewish Studies. An extensive Institute of Special Research enriches the range of courses offered in all disciplines: research and teaching at the institute includes Qumran Research, Jewish Studies and History of Religions of the Late Ancient World, as well as Biblical Theology, Early Christian Studies, and Practical Theology. Furthermore, the Department for Lower Saxon Church History, the Institutum Lutheranum, the Archive Religionsgeschichtliche Schule, and the Karl Barth Research Institute are affiliated with our institute. The work group Pedagogics of Religion, which deals with teaching research, has recently commenced work, as well as the work group "Protestant Ethics in Modern Society".
Programme structure
The first three semesters (plus language semesters, approximately one semester per language) are the stage I studies, which are completed with the pre-Diplom examination. Prior to getting the intermediate diploma, the students must establish proof that they have acquired language skills in Latin, Ancient Greek and Hebrew. The stage II studies, consisting of six semesters, are completed with the ecclesiastical examination. Students who wish to take their 1. theological examination with their regional church need to complete the intermediate diploma. The stage II studies conditions depend on the respective regional church. The modalities for practicals are also regulated by the regional church. Students should contact their regional church and inquire about the conditions for inclusion in the list of theology students, and about the examination rules and regulations. The local convents ("Konvente", associations of students belonging to one regional church within the faculty) are usually in contact with the person responsible for educational matters of the respective regional churches.
Professions
Vicar/priest, ecclesiastical jobs in general