Master in Theology and Ministry

The Master in Theology and Ministry at NLA University College is a 120 ECTS program that studies theology in relation to ministry. You work with compulsory courses such as Encountering God through Scripture: Hermeneutical Reflections and Exegetical Explorations, and Missional Ecclesiology in light of Trinitarian Faith and Contemporary Culture, plus elective options including Youth Ministry as Theory and Practice and Leading ecclesial change and growth in contexts.

The program runs over two years at normal progression. It combines two week-long learning sessions on campus in Bergen each semester with lectures, group-seminars, and case-based classes (80% attendance required), and an online learning program over eight weeks before and between the learning sessions. You receive and process international impulses through international research and guest lecturers, and the program recommends studying abroad during the third semester.

Modules

• TAM301
• TAM302
• TAM303
• TAM304
• TAM321
• TAM321B
• TAM322
• TAM323B
• TAM350

To be admitted to the Master’s Programme in Theology and Ministry, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Completed a 3- or 4- year bachelor’s degree (depending on the country in which the degree was completed), including a specialisation of at least 80 ECTS credits in the following theological disciplines: biblical theology, church history, systematic theology, and practical theology. In special cases, the institution may recognize other documented qualifications as completely or partly equivalent to the educational pathways mentioned above.
• Applicants are required to possess an average grade of C or higher (ECTS) in the undergraduate study. Grade records from foreign institutions will be converted in line with common conversion scales or by individual assessment.
• Applicants are required to submit a one-page motivational letter, explaining the reasons for applying for the study.
• In the admission process, applicants are assessed competitively according to their grades.
• The course TEOL360 Avsluttande praktikum, which can be a relevant elective course by application, has its own admission requirements, see course description.

• TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 80 points on the internet-based test (IBT). TOEFL results must be sent directly from ETS (code 1886), and the test must not be older than 2 years.
• IELTS (the International English Language Testing System, academic) with an overall band score of 6.0 or better, with 5.5 as the minimum score for each of the four categories listening, reading, writing and speaking. The IELTS results must be verifiable online, and not older than 2 years.
• The applicant will be exempted from taking an English test, if such a test is not required according to NOKUT’s GSU-list. To be exempted, the applicant must provide the relevant secondary school documentation from the country in question, or the relevant higher education documentation, as specified in the GSU-list.
• In exceptional cases applicants may provide proof of English proficiency in other ways, with the level of competence equivalent to the test results required for TOEFL and IELTS.

• Leadership positions in churches and Christian organizations; entrepreneurial ministry.
• Catechist in the Church of Norway (with TAM321B Youth ministry as theory and practice and internship as well as TAM323B Kirkelig undervisning as elective courses).
• Pastor in the Church of Norway (prester) above 35 years old, including use of the elective course TEOL360 Avsluttende praktikum (30 ECTS) for parts of the qualification requirements.
• Admission requirements of PhD-programs in Practical theology.