Master Theology
Focus
The taught MA Theology consists of a major in one of three key focus areas: territorial pastoral care, categorial pastoral care and religious education.
Courses
Each major has the following global outline:
- General theoretical base
The theoretical base consists of 10 courses with a multidisciplinary theological approach: pastoral care and religious education in a late modern context; concepts of pastoral care and religious education; hermeneutics; spirituality and mystagogy, Church and office; sacraments and rites; Christian/Catholic identity; theological anthropology and social doctrine of the Church; ethics in pastoral care and religious educaton; rules of life. - Theological contexts
This part consists of the course 'Methods and models of research' plus 4 courses that are offered during the first and second years of study. - Choice of major, with each major comprising 5 courses:
- Territorial pastoral care: systemic context of territorial pastoral care; poimenics and diaconia; rites, texts and symbols; parochial catechesis; canon law.
- Categorial pastoral care: systemic context of categorial pastoral care; poimenics and diaconia; rites, texts and symbols; anthropology and psychopathology; ethics and law.
- Religious education: systemic context of religious education; religious pedagogy; religious didactics and curriculum; values and education; youth culture and education; youth culture and theology.
- Placement
Depending on your choice of major, your placement will be in a parish or associated work environment (deanery, cooperating parishes), in a form of categorial pastoral care, or in a religious-educational environment such as a secondary school. - Master thesis
The master thesis includes results from your own research in the field of academic theology. The definition and phrasing plus the aim of the thesis are connected with a theme relating to your major or a theme resulting from 'theological contexts'.
You can apply for the MA Theology with a bachelor's degree in Theology (including classical languages) from the School of Catholic Theology or any other university in the Netherlands. You must have obtained your BA degree within the last ten years. A premaster programme
is compulsory for HBO-Theologie students. This premaster programme is offered in Dutch.
Course duration and location
The MA Theology is taught and scheduled as a 3-year full-time programme in Dutch. Part-time study is possible in consultation with the School. The major 'territorial pastoral care' is taught in Utrecht; the major 'categorial pastoral care' is taught in Tilburg; and the major 'religious education' is taught at both locations.
After graduation
After graduation you can work in the field of pastoral care, such as parishes, hospitals and the army. Another possibility is employment in the field of education, for example as a district catechist for primary schools or an academic researcher. Theologians are also found in politics, media, welfare and social work, and business.
More information
Please contact the School of Catholic Theology or visit our Dutch webpages.
Global / English