GENERAL INFORMATION

The Academy of Christian Theology is a public ecumenical institute of higher education. At the academy students are trained in theology and theory of education for service in the Christian churches of Poland - as pastors or lay ministers, and also for national and local civil service, as well as for other institutions, especially those involved in training and social work.

The Academy is also active in theological research and prepares candidates for academic and didactic professional work. It is the only theological university in Europe that trains members of so many different churches. The ecumenical character of this university has the effect that the students learn to carry out their ministries in a spirit of equality, with respect for the spiritual values of all denominations, traditions, and cultures, and in christian and civic responsibility.

The Academy is not only an ecumenical university in a formal sense; representatives from three different traditions: the Protestant, the Old Catholic, and the Orthodox, study together under one roof. Within these walls tutors and students meet together to talk, discuss and argue about various questions, including their confessional differences. Thanks to the daily contacts there are many possibilities for dialogue in which the partner is accepted with all his differences. When the graduates of the Academy meet later as pastors and teachers, the earlier friendships make it easier to undertake ecumenical initiatives.

The Academy of Christian Theology is a universitas docentorum et scholarium – a community of free persons who strive for knowledge. This community mirrors the religious Pluralism in Poland. Its base is the common faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. He alone is the truth and the source of our theology (whether Protestant, Old Catholic, or Orthodox): Scientia nihil est quam Veritatis imago.

THE STRUCTUR AND PROGRAMME OF STUDIES

There is only one faculty at the Academy of Christian Theology - the Theological Faculty. In this faculty the students are trained in the following courses:

- Theology in the respective traditions and Religious Education (Masters degree),
- Theory of Education in the area of social work, including teaching and special
  education. (licentiate course).

The classes and academic research projects are carried out by departments with denominational character in three theological sections: Protestant, Old Catholic and Orthodox and by departments that are interdenominational.

Some of the classes are held for both courses and all three sections together. In the theological area this includes ancient languages (Hebrew, Greek, Latin),  modern languages (English, German, Russian, Ukrainian), the History of Philosophy, the History of Religion, the History of the Ecumenical Movement, Sociology, Psychology, National law concerning Religion, General Theory of Education, and the Basics of Religious Education. 

Some subjects are taught together for the Protestant and Old Catholic sections: General History of the Church and History of the Church in Poland, History of Biblical Peoples (mainly Israel), Introduction to the Old Testament and Homiletics.

There are other subjects that are taught separately for each section because of the confessional differences between the various churches and in order to keep their identity clear. These include: Biblical Exegesis, Systematic Theology (Dogmatics und Ethics), The History of Dogma and lectures in the specific dogmas of the various confessions. 

The Programme of studies in the Theory of Education includes two special areas: Social work and teaching and special education. There are common classes (e.g. general Theory of Education and Theory of Raising Children, General and Developmental Psychology, Biomedicinal basis of Development, Anthropology, Foreign Languages and Computer Training). There are other classes that are taught separately according to the desired area. Certain theological subjects are also taught (180 hours of classes a year) according to the particular tradition. The study of education is closely connected to the future career plans; therefore students do a three month Practicum in social institutions or schools.

Additions to the curriculum offered by the Academy are determined by the aim to improve the quality and effectiveness of the training offered. In the academic classes more and more audio-visual materials are being used. Two new workshops are being developed: one for school and special education and a computer workshop.

The Academy has the right to confer doctorates, to carry out the proceedings for qualifying university lecturers in Theology and to confer the title of doctor honoris causa.  

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS OF THE ACADEMY OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

All those who have graduated from secondary school can apply for admittance to the Academy of Christian Theology (lay and clergy). As at other universities, the students receive a stipend from the state.

The academy is a university with one faculty and offers both a degree course in theology and a licentiate course - a career-oriented course in social work and/or teaching and special education. Both direct and distance courses are available. Distance students must pay the tuition fees themselves.

THE MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMME IN PROTESTANT, OLD CATHOLIC AN ORTHODOX THEOLOGY

The course takes five years (10 semesters). There are three sections: Protestant, Old Catholic and Orthodox. The graduates finish the course with a masters degree in Protestant, Old Catholic or Orthodox Theology or in Religious Education. The course prepares students for ministry as a pastor in the Christian churches understood in the widest sense possible. The education classes, which are part of the course makes it possible to acquire certification as a teacher of Religious Education.

CAREER STUDIES (LICENTIATE) IN EDUCATION IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL WORK

The course takes three years (6 semesters). The graduates finish the course with the licentiate title in social work, and have the same rights and qualifications as the graduates of non-theological universities. They are qualified to work in social institutions, nursing homes, and in the national and local civil service. This course is particularly interesting for those who are interested in diaconal work, whether with seniors, the handicapped, or in pastoral counselling. The structure of this course is set up around practical social work and the administration of social institutions.

CAREER STUDIES (LICENTIATE) IN EDUCATION IN THE AREA OF TEACHING AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

The course takes three years (6 semesters). The graduates finish the course with the licentiate title in teaching and special education, and have the same rights and qualifications as the graduates of non-theological universities. They can work in schools run by both church and secular organizations.

Entrance requirements for the academie

The entrance requirements are the same for both direct and distance courses. Entrance is on the basis of successful results in an entrance examination.

The examinations consist of:

- Polish Literature (Written examination),
- Foreign language (Written examination, Test),
- Oral conversation covering Polish literature, Polish history, world history, denominational understanding.

The entrance requirement for career studies (licentiate) is a qualifications conversation based on the understanding of assigned readings. This conversation is interned to investigate the suitability of the candidate for this type of study and to test the candidate's intellectual abilities. The general humanistic background, organizational abilities, understanding of legal aspects of the planned studies and a general understanding of the candidate's church are the main points covered.

All candidates must submit the required documents (Application, secondary diploma, copies of identity card and military service card, medical report) Applicants for the 5-year course leading to a masters degree must include a recommendation from their church.