Employability with the degrees "Church-realted examination” and “Magister Theologiae”- created with the help of the WWU’s Career Service
Aim of studies
By studying the beforementioned subjects, students study to become theologists, who aim at becoming pastorates or work in diaconal, scientific or (inter) cultural fields. By studying at the faculty of Protestant Theology students learn requirements to become successful in various employment fields. By studying theology, students learn deeper knowledge about the Protestant Christianity, its historical genesis, how to deal with central texts and beliefs, as well as developing intercultural and interdisciplinary competences. A major goal of the studies is individual reflection on your own spirituality and set of values.
The faculty of Protestant Theology aims at:
Graduates should be able to navigate themselves flexibly in different employment markets. They are experts in their fields and this aspect should not be neglected in the post-factual time period. The studies focus on the personal development of the students, however this process of lifelong development is not finalized by the end of studies. The faculty wishes its students all the best for their future employment.
Core Competences
The following competencies are learnt within the studies and are relevant for future employment.
Personality development and self-reflection
Students are encouraged to deal with their own personality, their experiences and sprituality and are encouraged to develop these further in exchange with others. By doing that they are able to find their way as an individuum in society and are equipped to face new challenges.
Linguistic and communicative competencies
Students learn ancient Greek, Latin and ancient Hebrew. They develop competencies to present complex contexts in different written and oral ways.
These communicative competencies are helpful for all different kinds of communicative activities, such as journalism or public relations.
Intercultural and interreligious competencies
The willingness to learn from unknown people leads to an understanding of different cultural contexts and to a more reflected way of contact with other people, cultures and religions. This intercultural and interreligious competence is necessary in a globalized world, multicultural teams or fields.
Expert knowledge and hermeneutic competence
Graduates are experts in the field of Christian faith, its texts, religion and spirituality in past and present. By dealing with various texts from the past and present, students learn how to relate these to their own reality and how to interpret them.
Competencies how to interpret, understand and communicate information, as well as religious knowledge and Christian beliefs Is important in various fields, from education for youth or adults, in diaconic institutions or in media contexts.
Variety of methods and interdisciplinarity
The biblical, historical, systematic, intercultural and practical theology equips students of the Mag.Theo. with a complex variety of methodologies. These can be used flexibly in different situation and in areas beyond the scientific focus. Students learn to combine perspective of the different disciplines, to reflect in scientific-methodological ways and to think intertwined.
These competencies can help to join teams with experts from different fields. Strengths can be combined and be used more efficiently.
Counselling competence
By studying ethics and learn to use solution-oriented approaches for complex questions, students get to know these competencies for other conflict or counselling situations. Further practice in pastoral care is also possible.
Career Orientation- how to
The study of Protestant Theology teaches its students a variety of different competencies and thereby provides them with a wide foundation for getting started in various employment fields, also beyond the pastorate. However, students are responsible for their individual decision, as well as the assessment of own strengths, competencies, interests and the corresponding possibilities in the actual work environment.
Support is given by an offered large variety of seminars, information and professional counselling in the university’s career service. Further information can be found on their website.
Individual Profiling Opportunities
During your studies of Protestant Theology there are different opportunities how to create your personal job profile and focus on specific occupational areas: during your studies, next to them or after them.
During your studies
Study focus During your studies you can already focus on your interests by choosing from a wide range of different seminars. Some students get jobs as student associates which allows them to get deeper insights into specific subjects and the faculty. The election of your thesis and exam classes during the first major state exam (German: Erstes Theologisches Examen) can help you to choose your focus.
Internships Practical experiences can help to get to know different fields and areas of work, as well as potential employers, especially in church-related contexts. Experiences and competences that you learn can help to focus on your employability and facilitate the entrance into work life. Internships abroad are also possible.
Thesis Choosing a topic helps to deepen your understanding in one study area. The choice of methodology supports your methodological competence.
Elective studies During your elective studies you can choose from courses WWU-wide in almost all subjects. In the basis studies you can collect 10 credit points and during your advanced studies you can collect even 20 credit points with that. Some examples include developing competences in other subjects, learning new modern languages, media or social competences, linguistic competences. The university’s Career Service offers soft skill seminars which can help you with your career orientation and personal profile.
Next to your studies
Part-time-work By having a part-time job next to your studies, it can be anything from working as a student associate to working in a café or in a telephone center, you not only earn money, but you also learn new competences which can be beneficial for your own profile.
Non-university (community) involvement
By having a position in a non-university field, you can learn and improve your methodological and social competences, take over responsibilities and show own initiative.
After your studies
Traineeship Traineeships lasting one or two years are often necessary if you are looking for a job in the field of media, press or other kinds of public relations.
Further education Offers for further education can be found in fields of public relations, marketing, leadership by private or public institutions. They can also help to further specify your personal profile.
Support and Further Information
The Career Service of the WWU Münster provides a wide range of counselling opportunities and seminars, which focus for on individual employment choices, soft skills or preparation for job interviews.
Credit points from the seminars can be used for your regular studies. An overview of current courses, you can find here.