Protestant Religious Education (Teaching degree)
Teaching degree at elementary school, middle school and secondary schools (Grundschule, Mittelschule, Realschule and Gymnasium)
The teaching degree program in Protestant Religious Education is an exciting opportunity to engage intensively with the Christian faith, the Bible, and the history of the church. As a trainee teacher, you will deal with fundamental questions of ethics and morality and learn how to integrate them into the classroom. In doing so, having a deeper understanding of questions of faith yourself and to develop an open attitude towards other religions and worldviews is a great advantage. The aim of the program is to train students to become skilled, empathetic and reflective teachers who accompany young people on their journey through life and provide them with values and orientation.
Fact Sheet
- Degree
- Teaching degree
- Admission
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Duration of studies
- 7, 9 semesters
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Number of students
- 150-250
- Special features
-
All lectures and seminars for degrees for Grundschule, Mittelschule and Realschule take place in Nuremberg.
Under certain conditions, students in all teaching degree programs (Lehramt) can attain the academic degree of “Bachelor” pursuant to LAPO on application usually after 6 semesters. The type of Bachelor degree awarded depends on the type of school you are studying for and the subjects chosen, if applicable. Further information is available on the homepage of the Center for Teacher Education (ZfL).
Subject combinations:- Grundschule (elementary school)
- Mittelschule (lower secondary school)
- Realschule (secondary school)
- Gymnasium (grammar school)
Program overview
What is the degree program about?
If you want to become a teacher, you study Protestant Theology/Religious Education either in combination with another subject (teaching degree for Gymnasium and Realschule) or as a single main subject (teaching degree for elementary and middle school). The degree program is completed with the State Examination.
Protestant Religious Education is based on the Examination Regulations for Teaching Degree Programs I (LPO I) and the degree program and examination regulations for teaching degree programs at FAU and is completed by taking a State Examination (First State Examination). All teachers who would like to teach protestant religious education must obtain authorization (Vocatio) from the Protestant Church of Bavaria before commencing teacher training (Referendariat). Further information is available on the School of Theology website and the Chair of Religious Education and Teaching Protestant Religious Education website.
The following degree programs and subject combinations are possible when studying Protestant Religious Education (Teaching degree):
Teaching secondary education (Gymnasium) (270 ECTS)
- Protestant Religious Education as a subject studied for teaching in Gymnasium (“vertieft”) in combination with German, English, Latin, Mathematics or Sports.
- Location: Erlangen
- Standard duration of study: 9 semesters
- Further information
Teaching secondary education (Realschule) (210 ECTS)
- Protestant Religious Education as a subject studied for teaching in schools other than Gymnasium („nicht vertieft“) in combination with German, English, Mathematics or Music.
- Location: Nuremberg
- Standard duration of study: 7 semesters
- Further information
Teaching degree program for primary education/secondary education (Mittelschule) (210 ECTS)
- Teaching Protestant Religious Education (“nicht vertieft”) in conjunction with teaching primary education or teaching a group of subjects in secondary education for Mittelschule.
- Location: Nuremberg
- Standard duration of study: 7 semesters
- Further information
Teaching degree programs for vocational schools
- Teaching Protestant Religious Education as a second subject in Business Education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
- Location: Nuremberg
- Standard duration of study: 3 semesters (BA) and 4 semesters (MA)
- Further information
- A willingness to be open to new things, to think critically about the Christian faith and to develop the ability to come to conclusions in discussion with others
- An interest in working with texts
- A willingness to learn old languages (Latin and Ancient Greek) This applies only to teaching Protestant Religious Education for secondary education at Gymnasium.
Most students of Protestant Religious Education aim to become teachers in the subject. However, studying protestant education or theology gives you such a broad range of skills that you may also work in other areas with a social or cultural aspect. Graduates of Protestant Religious Education and Theology work
- in churches and church-run organizations (e.g. in advisory services)
- as lecturers in research and teaching
- in education as a whole (from early years to adult education)
- as advisors in politics or industry
- in publishing and journalism
- in public relations
- in human resources
In addition to their academic skills, theology graduates are often in demand due to their personal, social and communication skills.
Application for a Degree Program
Admission Requirements and Application
Admission
- 1st semester: No Admissions Restrictions
Application deadline
- Winter semester: 30.09.
- Summer semester: nicht möglich
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants: DSH 2 (written 2 / oral 1) or equivalent
Details and notes
The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
In addition to the general university entrance qualification (allgemeine Hochschulreife – Abitur), there are other entrance qualifications that allow you to study at FAU.
