Catholic Religious Education as subject in the Master’s Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools
(Master of Education)

Profile

Course type

Postgraduate studies (Master)

Standard Course Duration

4 semesters

Course Start

Winter semester, Summer semester

Language of Instruction

German

Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C1
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Special Requirements

A school internship and a further internship (in a company, a social institution, a sports club, etc.) for at least four weeks must have been completed (compulsory).

Admission

Unrestricted admission

International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

The subject Catholic Religious Education is offered as one of two subjects within the Master’s Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools.

The public has (once again) become aware of the phenomenon of “religion” – often in its conflicting, dubious form. Against this backdrop, the aim of the degree programme in Catholic Theology is to give students the skills required to (self-)critically assess contemporary religious phenomena in culture, society and the Church on the basis of Christian self-understanding and its core categories of creation, revelation and salvation. Consequently, the degree programme serves to elaborate the identity of Christianity and its ability to accept pluralism. Students critically explore the historical and contemporary testimony of Christianity; discuss how it contributes to shaping culture and society; and reflect on religious influences in their own biography.

At Leibniz Universität Hannover, students of theology enjoy ideal learning conditions, thanks to the small study groups in seminars and lectures, and the intense individual support and mentoring provided by the teaching staff. Cooperation with the University of Hildesheim means that a wide range of different theological disciplines are represented, namely by a total of five professors and additional staff, which is unusual in the field of teacher training. Student representatives from the department also act as important contact persons in addition to the teaching staff. Their tireless commitment contributes significantly to the informal atmosphere in the Catholic Theology Section.

Further information on the website of the Institute of Theology (German language only)

Course Content

Biblical theology: the origin of the Christian faith in the Holy Scripture
Historical theology: the history and experience of the Church, from its origin to the present
Practical theology: the relevance of faith in the life and actions of people today
Systematic theology: the rational accountability of faith in the context of the question of truth

Course Structure

The Master’s degree programme centres around practical training at schools, where students receive intense supervision by their subject representatives, and explore religious education and methodological issues. In addition, students hone their powers of theological assessment on the basis of exemplary topics.
If necessary, students can easily acquire the specialist knowledge of Latin and Greek in the course of the Master’s degree programme (2 hours per week per semester each), evidence of which must be provided when registering the Master’s thesis.

Combinations

Subject Combination Options Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Course For Masters’ programme Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools

Recommended Abilities

An interest in theological and philosophical issues: the question of God, the question of man, and the meaning of life
An interest in the wealth of experience provided by the Bible and in historical, social and political issues and problems
Willingness to assess and discuss scholarly texts
With regard to a later career in teaching: an interest in working with young people and in developing teaching and learning processes

Career Opportunities

The master's degree in the teacher training course for grammar schools entitles to the preparatory service for the secondary school teacher training in Lower Saxony in the two studied subjects. The change to the preparatory service of other states is generally possible, an examination can be considered in individual cases after consultation with the local authorities. In addition, a scientific career with a doctorate can also be sought in the studied subjects. They also have the possibility to work in a non-school-based area in the subjects taken.

Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

Catholic Theology as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme (Bachelor of Arts)

For master's degree programmes with unrestricted admission, all applicants who fulfil the admission requirements will be admitted a university place. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations:

Admission and special language Regulations Master’s Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools

Application Deadlines

First-year students

June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester, only when there are vacant capacities

Students resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester)