Practical Theology, Religion, and Philosophy

Practice is a central part of theological education. Here you gain experience working in churches, congregations, and organizations, and have the opportunity to develop both professional competence and personal reflection. We offer internships at our study locations in Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, and Kristiansand.

Through practice, you as a student have the opportunity to connect theory with experience and see how our subjects are applied in encounters with people and organizations. You gain insight into the daily life and work at the practice site, while also learning from the supervisor's experiences and working methods. Use the practice time actively: be curious, ask questions, and learn from the supervisor's experiences and working methods. Trust is built over time, and tasks such as preaching and leadership require mutual understanding.

The goal is that practice should strengthen both your professional competence and personal reflection, and give you valuable experience for further studies and work. Here you will find everything you need to know about practice.

Practical information

Where can I do my internship?

First year of study: In the first year of study, students have supervised practice in child and youth work in the congregation, for example through work with confirmation candidates. The practice can be carried out in congregations in the Church of Norway, in assemblies or congregations affiliated with Christian organizations, or in a free church context.

Second to sixth year of study: Preaching and worship leadership - congregation practice: Practice in congregations as mentioned above, where the student follows a priest or pastor in their daily work.

Pastoral care with practice – Institutional practice:
Practice at an institution, such as a hospital, prison or other diaconal foundations.
Students who are considering service as a priest in the Church of Norway must have practice at a hospital or prison.

Allocation of internship

Work requirement

Common mandatory assignments for courses with practical training
The student must write and submit both a practical training agreement and a practical training report. The documents must be prepared by the student, shown to the supervisor, and signed by both parties before submission.

More information and templates will be made available on Canvas.

All mandatory assignments related to practical training must be submitted and approved in order for the student to be allowed to take the exam.

Attendance

Suitability assessment

The Road to Consecration

Guidance

Accommodation

For those who will be receiving students for practical training

Practice supervisors play an important role in students' professional and personal development during their practice. It is supervised practice. This does not mean that the supervisor should observe everything, but gain sufficient insight into the student's performance.
Here you will find central information and frameworks for the supervisor role. The collaboration between the field of practice and the university college shall provide the students with meaningful and learning-promoting practice.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to become a supervisor, you will find contact information for the practice supervisor at the bottom of the page.

Information for our practice locations - link coming soon

First Year of Practical Training

In your first year, you'll have a unique opportunity to connect theory with reality in the courses Introduction to Practical Theology and Theology for the Church and Christian Life. Here, you'll get to know church life and various communication arenas in encounters with people. This gives you valuable experience and a solid foundation for further studies – and for service in the church and society.

Practice topics in the various study programs

Practical Theology and Leadership (Bergen and Oslo)

Bachelor of Theology (Bergen, Oslo, Kristiansand, Trondheim)

Introduction to Practical Theology: 35 - 40 hours.
Theology for the Church and the Christian Life: 35 - 40 hours.
Pastoral Care with Practice: 4 weeks of practice, i.e. 150 hours. Normally carried out at an institution.
Preaching and Worship Leadership with Practice: 4 weeks of practice, i.e. 150 hours in a congregation.

For all subjects, the student is assigned a practice placement and supervisor. It is also possible to apply to have a practice placement and supervisor that you have found yourself approved.

Professional Degree Programme (Bergen)

Master in theology and ministry (Bergen)

First, you must clarify with the course coordinator whether you are required to complete an internship.

TAM321B Youth Ministry as Theory and Practice – with Internship
50 hours of supervised internship, reported and reflected in a practice memo. A certificate of good conduct must be submitted.
TAM323B Church Education – with Supervised Internship
50 hours of internship at an approved placement with an authorized supervisor. At the start of the internship, a police clearance certificate must be in order and submitted to NLA. You cannot begin the internship until this has been approved and delivered.

Congregational practice at bachelor level

Over the course of four weeks, in the subject Preaching and worship leadership, you will follow a priest or pastor in his or her daily work and ministry. You will observe everything from staff meetings and planning of worship services and religious education. When possible, it is desirable that you have the opportunity to observe weddings, baptisms and bereavement talks.

This is an observation practice where you both get to follow the work of the congregation and contribute yourself. At least twice you will have the opportunity to preach and participate actively in the service – either with a sermon, a devotion or in another liturgical role.

Here you get to experience how church life works in practice. This is a unique chance to learn, reflect and grow in your ministry.

Pastoral Care Practice

In the course Pastoral Care with Practice, you will follow professionals in institutions such as hospitals, prisons, or diaconal foundations. You will observe how pastoral care and support are practiced when meeting people in demanding life situations and crises.

Throughout the practice period, you will have the opportunity to reflect on the role of the pastoral caregiver in institutional contexts and how faith, hope, and care are conveyed in vulnerable moments. This provides valuable insight that strengthens both professional understanding and personal development.

Final Practicum

The final practical course marks the transition from studies to service and is carried out in the spring. This period involves a lot of teaching and work in the practical group.

In the spring, all candidates – students aiming for service or the possibility of this in the Church of Norway – go out into foundation practice. Here, the candidate functions as a locum priest for five weeks. The practice is organised by the diocese to which the candidate belongs, and the candidate must ensure that they are registered in VTV (The Road to Ordination).

Internship