The Master’s specialisation in Practical Theology is taught at the Special Faculty of Theology. It has a course load of 180 EC* (three years). All the courses are 10 EC and the Master’s Thesis is 20 EC.
Practical Theology seminar
Students of the specialisation Practical Theology are required to take the Practical Theology seminar in year one and two.
Discipline seminars
Students have to follow three discipline seminars in the first and second year.
- Biblical Exegesis
- History of Church and Theology
- Systematic Theology
Students can replace one seminar by another seminar or specialisation course, to the discretion of the examination board.
^ Students are required to have a basic knowledge of Hebrew and Greek to be admitted to this course.
Practical Theology courses
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- Pastoral Theology The empirical study of the transformation of practice in pastoral theology is a locus theologicus, i.e. a source for theological thinking.
- Missiology According to the Second Vatican Council, the Church is missionary by nature (Ad Gentes 2). Missiology is the study of the theory and practice of mission in past and present. But what is mission? And how do scholars study mission?
Set electives
In the first year, students must take at least one of the following courses:
- Philosophy Of Religion
- Greek & Hebrew*
- Religious Studies
* Students are required to have a basic knowledge of Hebrew and Greek to be admitted to this course.
Master’s thesis
Your Master's thesis consists of an individual research project, which allows you to investigate a topic of your choice within Practical Theology under the close supervision of our expert staff. At Radboud University we have constructed new, unique methodologies that focus on a qualitative study of narratives, communication, and ritual. We have expertise in, among others, spiritual biographical research and cross-religious surveys. Students may, if they wish, train themselves in these methodologies when writing their Master’s thesis.
Professional and research specialisation
In the third year of the Master's programme in Theology, you select one trajectory as a professional specialisation. This specialisation will determine the structure of your third year. You can choose from the following specialisations:
- Academic Research (English)
- Religion and Policy (Dutch)
- Spiritual Care (Dutch)
- Teaching course religious studies/life orientation (Dutch)
More details
Read more about the courses, reading requirements and course schedule in the online prospectus.
Before starting your Master education, you should apply for approval of your Master programme. More information can be found in the online courseguide.
Instruction modes
A form of lecture in which information is presented verbally by one or more lecturers.
A large gathering around a particular topic in which experts share knowledge, usually through a workshop and lectures.
A group of people with a particular goal or task that they collectively try to achieve in a results-oriented way.