Department Chair: Fred Niedner,
Th.D.
Huegli Hall 310 | 219-464-5281
Fred.Niedner@valpo.edu
Majors offered:
Theology, B.A.,M.A.L.S.
Youth, Family, Christian Education (complementary major
only)
Links
to Web sites:
Catalog: Department of
Theology
Department of Theology - Undergraduate Program
(department maintained)
Department of Theology - Graduate Program
(department maintained)
VALPO
THEOLOGY MAJORS explore
their own beliefs and other religions of the
world. Students investigate various religious
expressions, including Native American worship,
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and
Judaism, in
the context of a Christian university. Students
understand the relationship of Theology to modern
culture and the impact of religion on the people
of the world.
What Can You Do with a Theology Major?
Degree, Skills or Experience Needed for Beginning Teachers:
A Bachelor's degree with some internship or practicum experience is necessary.
Kinds of Work Available to Graduates in this
Major:
Theology major alone:
Deaconess in parish or institution, Director of Christian
education in a parish or congregation, Church youth worker or
camp director, Graduate work in seminary, divinity school and
related programs.
Theology major with
a related field of study:
Social worker in a church-related agency, Teacher in elementary or secondary
church-related schools, Church music director, organist, Librarian for
religious studies and heology holdings in university or seminary libraries,
Journalism related to religious studies and theology, Television or video
programming on religion, church and ecumenical subjects, Work in
overseas branches of the churches, in education, social work, nursing,
Bible translation, and much more.
A Bachelor of Arts in Theology is desirable, though not necessary, for entrance into seminary studies and preparation for ordained ministry. It may also serve to prepare for graduate work in theology and religious studies geared toward college and university level teaching. Students preparing for seminary study should consider the Complementary Major in Pre-Seminary Studies.
Potential Hiring
Institutions:
Parishes, church-related agencies, religious publishers, newspapers, magazines, TV stations, libraries, colleges
and universities.
What Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities Does Valpo Offer You in
Theology?
Extracurricular Groups: Students can participate in Theta Alpha Kappa – Theology National Honor Society, as well as groups that may be of particular interest, such as College Democrats, College Republicans, and Student Senate.
Church Vocations: Theology students take part in a weekly program known as the Church Vocations Symposium. Here, students can gather over a meal to hear special presentations and interact with special speakers. Students involved with Church Vocations also participate in an annual retreat that features discussions with such renowned figures as Walt Wangerin, author and professor at Valparaiso University.
Internships / Study Abroad:
Theology students make extensive use of Valpo's excellent
study programs both in the U.S. (Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C.)
and abroad. Special opportunities for Theology students exist at
Westfield House in Cambridge, England, and Tuebingen, Germany. Other programs operate
in France, Spain, Greece, Mexico, China, Japan, and Namibia..
Lilly Project on the Theological Exploration of Vocation: One aspect of the Project emphasizes "church vocation" - the recruitment and preparation of students who anticipate careers of full-time church service. However, since "vocation" also refers to other worthy paths of life and service, the Project also emphasizes vocational reflection that reaches beyond the church, exploring other fields of endeavor and drawing on a range of theological and other perspectives. For more information, click here.
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