About the MESt

“Ecumenical Studies” in Bonn:

  • strictly academic
    The MESt covers a field of knowledge: the plurality of Christianities, the plurality of European and non-European churches and theologies, the plurality of religious differences in general and in their cultural contexts, and main concepts of the types of unity of Churches/Christianity to be desired as well as concepts regarding peaceful and respectful interactions of religions. In Bonn you will study this within the context of topics
  • a co-operative process of students and lecturers
    The students' familiarity with their background is an integral part of the learning process. Without the students' competences, the learning and teaching process would realize only half of its potential. The program strives for being sensitive to the religious and cultural embeddedness of researchers and students in the field of religion, as this embeddedness is not merely to be put in brackets while doing academic research, but rather can be laid open und thus also be openly reflected.
Examniation Regulation
© Frank Homann/ Universität Bonn

1

Degree

2

Formats

30

More than 30 professors and lecturers

Starting with the academic year 2013/2014, the Master's program in Ecumenical Studies is offered in two formats. Students who hold a 3-year Bachelor's Degree qualify for the two-year MESt (officially called MEESt- Extended Ecumenical Studies), while students who hold a 4-year Bachelor's Degree qualify either for the one-year or the two-year MESt.

Application Period
2 January – 1 July

Please note: we recommend that non-EU applicants who need to apply for a Visa prior to their arrival in Germany send their application before April 30th.

Program Duration
12 months (60 ECTS credits)
24 months (120 ECTS credits)

Program Components
The Master's Program in Ecumenical Studies consists of:

  • Lectures and seminars
  • A six-week internship (one-year MESt) / A nine-week internship (two-year MESt)
    Internships are to take place between the winter and summer semesters (i.e. in February and March), for the one-year program resp. between the first and the second year (i.e. July - September) in the two-year program. International students are encouraged to complete their internships in Germany; German students are encouraged to complete their internships abroad.
  • A Master's thesis.

Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)

Language of Course
English

Contributing Faculties and Accreditation
The Master's program in Ecumenical Studies (MESt) is offered by the Protestant Theological Faculty in cooperation with the Centre for Religion and Society (Zentrum für Religion und Gesellschaft - ZERG) of the University of Bonn.

ZERG incorporates the research and teaching of more than 30 members (professors and lecturers) of the Faculties of Protestant and Catholic Theology, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Seminary of Old Catholic Theology. Scholars from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany also offer lectures in the MESt program.

Lectures and classes are held in English in order to accommodate a diverse array of international students. MESt students also have the option of supplementing their studies with German language courses.

The MESt is accredited by AQAS (Agentur für Qualitätssicherung durch Akkreditierung von Studiengängen) in accordance with the 'Bologna Process'.

Graduates will receive the degree Master of Arts (M.A.).

The program includes

  1. In the Master's program "Ecumenical Studies" compulsory and elective modules amounting to 60 CP (Leistungspunkte [LP]). In detail:
    • One compulsory and one elective module in both the winter and the summer semester (total of 36 CP)
    • An internship of six weeks minimum during the semester break between the winter and the summer semester (9 CP)
    • The master's thesis (15 CP)
  2. In the Master's program "Extended Ecumenical Studies" modules amounting to 120 CP (Leistungspunkte [LP]). In detail:
    • Nine compulsory modules (75 CP)
    • An internship of nine weeks minimum (15 CP)
    • The master's thesis (30 CP)

The particulars of the modules, their admissions requirements, and the number of credit points per module are set out in the module plan.

Given successful completion of the program, students have the opportunity to carry on their work as doctoral students at the University of Bonn.

German Language Courses:
MESt students have the opportunity to supplement their studies with German language courses provided for free by the University of Bonn.

Staff

2023/2024

Avatar Munkholt Christensen

Dr. Maria Munkholt Christensen

Church History (Protestant)
© (c) M. Munkholt; Foto: Ch. Mischke
Avatar Robinson

Dr. Matthew Ryan Robinson

Practical Theology (Protestant)
© M. Robinson
Avatar Roebben

Prof. Dr. Hubertus Roebben

Religious Education (Roman-Catholic)
© Privat
Avatar Schulz

Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz

Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Roman-Catholic)
© Uni Bonn
Avatar Krebs

Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs

Old Catholic Theology (Old Catholic)
© Andreas Krebs
Avatar Müller

Prof. Dr. Sabrina Müller

Practical Theology (Faculty of Protestant Theology)
© Sabrina Müller
Avatar Dornbusch

Dr. Aneke Dornbusch

Modern Church History (Protestant)
© Lisa Bössen
Avatar Bleher

Hannah Bleher

Systematic Theology and Ethics
© Uni Bonn
Avatar Kavvadas

PD DDr. Nestor Kavvadas

Systematic Theology with special consideration to social challenges (Faculty of Catholic Theology)
© Uni Bonn
Avatar Despotis

Apl. Prof. Dr. Athanasios Despotis

New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
© Uni Bonn

Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs, Seminary of Old Catholic Theology
Dr. Maria Munkholt, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Matthew Robinson, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Aneke Dornbusch, Modern Church History (Protestant)
Sharon Padilla, PhD Candidate, New Testament (Faculty of Catholic Theology)
Dr. Marina Kiroudi, Department for Religious Education, Faculty of Catholic Theology (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Søren Lorenzen, Old Testament (Protestant)

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Maria Munkholt, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Matthew Robinson, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Bert Roebben, Religious Education (Roman-Catholic)
Dr. Philip Andrew Davis Jr., New Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Klaus von Stosch, Schlegel-Professor for Systematic Theology with special consideration to social challenges (Faculty of Catholic Theology)
Dr. Deborah Casewell, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions 
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany 
Sharon Padilla, PhD Candidate, New Testament (Faculty of Catholic Theology)

Dr. Maria Munkholt, Church History (Protestant)
PD Dr. Ingo Klitzsch, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Matthew Robinson, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Bert Roebben, Religious Education (Roman-Catholic)
Dr. Philip Andrew Davis Jr., New Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Archpriest Fr. Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany 
Sharon Padilla, PhD Candidate, New Testament (Faculty of Catholic Theology)

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Maria Munkholt, Church History (Protestant)
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Matthew Robinson, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Bert Roebben, Religious Education (Roman-Catholic)
Dr. Philip Andrew Davis Jr., New Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Roman-Catholic)
PD Dr. Axel Graupner, Old Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Sharon Padilla (PhD Candidate, New Testament, Faculty of Catholic Theology)

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Julia Winnebeck, Church History (Protestant) 
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Matthew Robinson, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Bert Roebben, Religious Education (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Archpriest Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs, Old Catholic Theology (Old Catholic)

Dr. Matthias Grebe, Systematic Theology (Anglican)
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Kim de Wildt, Science of Liturgy (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Ulrike Sallandt, Systematic Theologie (Protestant)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany (Greek-Orthodox)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs, Old Catholic Theology (Old Catholic)

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Kim de Wildt, Science of Liturgy (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Ulrike Sallandt, Systematische Theologie (Protestant)
Archpriest Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs, Old Catholic Theology (Old Catholic)

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Kim de Wildt, Science of Liturgy (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Dr. Matthias Grebe, Systematic Theology (Anglican)
PD Dr. Martin Keßler, Church History (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs, Old Catholic Theology (Old Catholic)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany (Greek-Orthodox)

PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Kim de Wildt, Science of Liturgy (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
PD Dr. Martin Keßler, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Archpriest Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Georg Schöllgen, Church History (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)

Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
PD Dr. Athanasios Despotis, New Testament (Greek-Orthodox)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Dr. Kim de Wildt, Science of Liturgy (Roman-Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Margarethe Hopf MTh, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
PD Dr. Martin Keßler, Church History (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Reinhold Boschki, Religious Education (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Richter, M.A., Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Wolter, New Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Albert Gerhards, Science of Liturgy (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Georg Schöllgen, Church History (Catholic)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Meyer-Blanck, Religious Education (Protestant)
PD Dr. Jochen Schmidt, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Archpriest Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Prof. Dr. Günter Eßer, Old-Catholic Theology
Prof. Dr. Mathias Schmoeckel, History of Canon Law 

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berges, Old Testament (Catholic)
PD Dr. Stefan Altmeyer, Religious Education (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Albert Gerhards, Science of Liturgy (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
PD Dr. Jochen Schmidt, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany

Prof. Dr. Stephan Altmeyer, Religious Education (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Günter Eßer, Old Catholic Theology
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Michael Meyer-Blanck, Religious Education (Protestant)
Erzpriester Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
PD Dr. Jochen Schmidt, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Mathias Schmoeckel, History of Canon Law
Prof. Dr. Georg Schöllgen, Church History (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Michael Wolter, New Testament (Protestant)

Prof. Dr. Reinhold Boschki, Religious Education (Catholic)
PD Dr. Peter Ebenbauer, Science of Liturgy (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Udo Rüterswörden, Old Testament (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Mathias Schmoeckel, History of Canon Law
Prof. Dr. Michael Schulz, Department of Philosophy and Theory of Religions (Catholic)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany

Prof. Dr. Werner Gephart, Sociology
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Lothar Hossfeld, Old Testament (Catholic)
Erzpriester Constantin Miron, Greek-Orthodox Metropolis of Germany
PD Dr. Klaus Obenauer, Systematic Theology (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Dr. Claude Ozankom, Systematic Theology (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Andreas Prokopf, Religious Education (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Mathias Schmoeckel, History of Canon Law
Prof. Dr. Georg Schöllgen, Church History (Catholic)

Prof. Dr. Günter Eßer, Old Catholic Theology
Prof. Dr. Heinz-Josef Fabry, Old Testament (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Albert Gerhards, Science of Liturgy (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Kinzig, Church History (Protestant)
Dr. Eike Kohler, Practical Theology (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Tilman Mayer, Political Science
Prof. Dr. Ute Mennecke, Church History (Protestant)
Prof. Dr. Gisela Muschiol, Church History (Catholic)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pangritz, Systematic Theology (Protestant)
Dr. Konstantinos Vliagkoftis, Orthodox Theology
Prof. Dr. Christian Waldhoff, Canon Law