Field Education

Field education is a 3-credit course wherein a work site becomes the “text” for a course. The course assignments and discussions focus on pastoral and theological reflection on events and experiences in the supervised work context.  Students already working in the field of religious education identify a particular aspect of their jobs (e.g., a new initiative or special project) as the focus of the field education experience. Students not yet working in the field identify the kind of environment they would like to work in and take on an internship in that environment.

Midway through the program and after at least one religious education course, we discern when and where a student might best engage in field education. Student, the Program Director, and the Field Education director collaborate on identifying an environment that complements the student’s career expectations. Together they create a learning syllabus for the experience.  Generally the field education experience should provide one a chance to teach and to perform administrative tasks typical of the profession.