Do you like to participate in discussions? Do you enjoy pondering philosophical questions? Do you like preparing these topics for others in a methodical and didactic manner? Does educational work interest you? Then the teacher education program in Catholic Religious Education is the perfect program of study for you!

You must be able to read and understand specialist literature in English in order to pursue your studies. You will not be required to provide separate proof of language proficiency. However, you will need proof of Latin and Greek proficiency. If you cannot prove this proficiency through your school leaving certificate (Abiturzeugnis), you will have the opportunity to acquire these language skills during your studies. At the Faculty of Catholic Theology, separate language courses are offered for this purpose, which are tailored to the requirements of the study program.

This program is studied as a part of the Bachelor of Education degree program (teacher education for Gymnasium). The degree program always includes two teaching subjects as well as the subject of Education Studies.

Program structure

The study program is divided into two consecutive phases. You will gain fundamental insight into the diverse forms of the Christian religion throughout history and in the present.

Based on seven modules, the bachelor’s program will familiarize you with the four subject groups of biblical, historical, systematic, and practical theology. After your introduction into the program of study, you will explore exemplary key themes of Christian thought and conduct. The thematic modules each focus on central basic aspects regarding human questions of meaning and orientation as well as realities of Christian life. A special focus is, of course, on the topic of religious upbringing and education. The three modules of the subsequent four-semester master’s program serve to consolidate your knowledge. You have the opportunity to focus on your own interests by choosing seminars in the various subject groups.

Thus, you will gain the competence to understand the theological canon of subjects in its diversity of content and methods as well as in its internal interconnectedness.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

In the Bachelor of Education, you will complete three 3-week internships and experience different types of schools firsthand. This practical experience will complement your theoretical training, help you practice your pedagogical skills in the classroom, and give you direction for your future career.

For more information, please visit the website for school internships provided by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Students interested in completing additional voluntary internships – including those in other professional fields – can find more information on the Career Service website.

The teacher education degree program prepares you – and is a prerequisite – for a career as a teacher at a Gymnasium in Germany. Not only will you acquire comprehensive knowledge about the subject, you will also learn how to convey this knowledge to your future students in a fun and creative way, while inspiring interest for your subject.

To work as a teacher later on, you must also obtain the Master of Education after completing your bachelor’s degree and then complete a teacher traineeship (Referendariat). The first, university-based phase of your teacher education ends with the recognition of your B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees as the First State Examination. The second phase, the teacher traineeship (Referendariat), generally lasts 18 months in Rhineland-Palatinate and concludes with the Second State Examination.

However, you are not restricted solely to classroom teaching after completing the teacher education program. You can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond teaching in public schools.

Other possible areas of work include:

• Church-based education (in religious educational centers, adult education, continuing education, and educational professions)
• Public and private adult and continuing education

The study of Catholic Theology qualifies you as a specialist in intercultural and interreligious dialogue and thus opens up a variety of other professional fields. With the appropriate additional qualifications, you will be eligible for the following professional fields.

• Media: journalism, publishing, etc.
• Cultural institutions: museums, exhibitions, archives, libraries, etc.
• Political and consulting organizations
• Integration and development cooperation

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.