Catholic Religious Education B.A., Vocational School Teacher

 

Catholic Religious Education has been offered at RWTH Aachen for more than 20 years. It differs from the school subject Catholic religious education, since there is a difference between university and school work methods, as will be explained below.

The content is often similar: It deals with the origin, meaning, and effect of Christian belief within the belief of history and society. This includes working with the Bible and beliefs, with the history of Christianity, with the philosophy and the current environment and its ethical problems.

The central difference between religion class in school and theology as a university subject is the precision in the approach and the depth of the analysis. You have to aquire "academic methodology". This will do just to both a biblical text and a moral problem and thus to create academically founded judgements. "Scholarliness" encompasses the linguistic ability. You will learn old biblical languages during your studies or by working with other academic literature. As a result you will receive the well-versed ability to analyze and come to conclusions.

 

Degree Content

Studies in theology are broken down into four sections: In Bibilical Theology, Old and New Testament texts will examined using literary analysis and their history of origin and effect will be considered, in order to determine the purpose of the texts in their respective contexts. In Historical Theology, the development of Christianity is reconstructed, starting with antiquity up to our current situation. In Systematic Theology, the rational reasoning of Christian belief, its essential content, and ethical consequences are discussed; other religions and cultures and the natural sciences are also considered. In Practical Theology, the church and social areas of practice of religious behavior are taken into consideration. This particularly includes schools, as this is a teacher training program. These studies are broken down into the four areas. There are additional comprehensive modules at the beginning and end of the Bachelor studies, which bring together the four different perspectives.

You can also find more information and the curriculum on the Institute of Catholic Theology webpages.

Study Abroad

The Faculty has several international partner universities with which it has well-established links, such as collaborations in teaching and research as well as exchange programs such as ERASMUS+. An overview of all RWTH Aachen exchange programs can be found at: Overview of Exchange Options. Information on the feasibility of stays abroad provides the Departmental Advisors.

 

Combination Possibilities

Training for vocational school teachers includes studying two subjects. In course of study Model I, both subjects are equally studied. In course of study Model II, one of the subjects is studied in a broader scope.
Detailed information on both course of study models

The subject Catholic religious education is an instructional subject and only offers combination possibilities in course of study Model I:

• Balanced combination of the instructional subjects: biology, chemistry, English, German, mathematics, physics. A combination with the subjects political science and economics/political science is not possible.
• Balanced combination with the vocational subjects: electrical engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, textile technology, and economics.

 

Decision Aids

Should I become a teacher? Do I want to work as a teacher? If you are asking yourself these questions, there are a few services to help you get to know yourself:

RWTH Aachen Self Assessment
All About Teacher Training
Career Counseling for Teachers
Fit für den Lehrerberuf

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

In addition to general interest in religious phenomena, students are expected to bringe preparedness for critical thinking, for advanced analysis, and independent academic work.

Enrollment Prerequisite

The RWTH Aachen "Lehramt" Self Assessment is an enrollment prerequisite for this course of study. You will need to submit your participation certificate when you enroll, but not in order to apply.

Language Requirements

Latin: In order to participate in certain modules during the third year of Bachelor studies, students submit proof of Latin skillsI. This is possible through either a Latinum or an exam at RWTH Aachen (Level II). Student can acquire Latin skills while completing their studies. Master's studies will not require any Latin skills past level II. Greek and Hebrew courses are offered during a student's studies.

 

Career Prospects

You can find information from the NRW Ministry of Schools about the career prospects for various fields of teaching through 2039/40 in the brochure Prognoses on the Job Market for Teachers in North Rhine-Westphalia (de).

 

Master's Degree Prospects

After successfully completing the Bachelor degree, you can continue with the Master of Education (4 semesters). With this degree, you can start your teaching practice (This phase used to be called "Refendariat" instead of "Vorbereitungsdienst".)

Since your Bachelor degree opens up various futher education possibilities, you can - depending on your subject combination - persue other Master's programs. The respective exam board will decide whether or not you are qualified for a Master's that is not in the field of education.

 

Examination Regulations

Exam regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures. The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

General Regulations: Comprehensive Exam Regulations of RWTH Aachen Bachelor Teaching Training for Gymnasien, Gesamtschulen, and Berufskollegs

Special Regulations: Subject Specific Exam Regulations (de) (The current version applies to all first year students.)

 

Faculty

Studies in Catholic religious education are offered by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.