Intercultural Theology, Master of Arts

Admission requirements

Professional Qualification:

Completed, relevant bachelor's degree program (at least 6 semesters and 180 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification from a German or Bologna-system university.

Degrees from countries outside the Bologna-system states require an equivalency assessment.

Unfinished Studies:

Applicants with at least 150 ECTS credits can already apply. The average grade of previous achievements will be used for the selection process.

Relevance of Previous Studies:

Evidence of at least 50 ECTS credits in subfields of theology, religious studies, social or cultural sciences. At least 30 ECTS credits must be in theology or related disciplines. Missing credits can be completed within two semesters.

English Proficiency:

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language, e.g. international tests (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 iBT, Cambridge Certificate). Exceptions apply to applicants with at least one year of residence in an English-speaking country in the last five years.

Application and matriculation take place at the University of Göttingen.

Details

The Master's programme in Intercultural Theology, offered in collaboration between the University of Interdisciplinary Theology Hermannsburg and the University of Göttingen, provides students with basic knowledge in Intercultural Theology, which is applied in both theoretical and practical projects.

The programme is characterised by its global focus and emphasis on intercultural experiences, complemented by the combination of theological studies and practical assignments. The aim of the programme is to enable graduates to communicate and cooperate on an intercultural, interreligious, and interdenominational level.

The following eleven compulsory modules, totaling 88 credits, must be successfully completed:

Processes of Translation, Inculturation, and Intercultural Communication

Christianity in an Intercultural Perspective

Intercultural Encounters I

Religions, Churches, and Theology in Europe and the Western World

Religions, Churches, and Theology in Africa

Religions, Churches, and Theology in Asia and the Middle East

Intercultural Encounters II

Theology in Context

Intercultural Encounters III

Professional Perspectives in Intercultural Theology

Research in Intercultural Theology (Final Module)

In the area of professionalisation, modules totalling 12 credits must be completed, including the following compulsory module:

German Language Course (if not applicable, a module from the following areas)

In addition, at least one of the following elective compulsory modules must be successfully completed:

Theories of Religion

Concepts of Healing and Salvation in Ancient Religions

The Early Christians in a World Full of Gods: Cultural Encounters and Religious Debates

Ethical Expertise in the Horizon of Religion

Education and Upbringing in the Context of Religion

Concepts and Theories of Religious Counseling

The Significance of Law and Justice in Religions

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Europe

The following modules can be completed as voluntary additional examinations:

Introduction to the Arabic Language

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to New Testament Greek

Introduction to the Latin Language

20 credits are earned for the Master's thesis.

During the first semester, students spend their study time at the FIT campus and the University of Göttingen. They are advised to live on the Hermannsburg campus to benefit from the intercultural community.

In the second semester, lectures are divided between Hermannsburg and Göttingen with the flexibility of location.

The third semester involves a research project organised and conducted either domestically or internationally.

In the fourth semester, the Master's thesis is completed based on the previous research project.