Program Overview

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Completion of the studies required for the priesthood of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Separate studies

In the studies, you can complete the applied studies required for the office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the supplementary studies required for the priest's office.

Scope:

0 ECTS

Campus or city:

Joensuu

Category:

Theology and philosophy

Implementation form:

Diversity

Price:

Studies and applying

Studies

Applied studies have an orientation period and an on-the-job learning period.

• During the orientation period, the student gets the basic skills to implement the practical learning period in local churches.
• You can complete your studies as an intensive period in September or according to a more flexible schedule in September-December.
• The on-the-job learning period takes place as full-time study and work in separately designated local churches during the weeks 29.
• The on-the-job learning period includes regular participation in a spiritual care and identity group, a worship seminar and a religious education seminar.
• Other studies, the performance requirement of which depends on the content of the previous degree and which are required for ecclesiastical qualification, are offered in accordance with the normal teaching cycle.

Selection criteria

Eligible for application and selection are persons who

1. has completed a master's degree in theology at a Finnish university, and
2. does not have the right to study theology at other Finnish universities.

• The right to study applied studies can only be granted to persons who have not yet completed the ecclesiastical applied studies required by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland in their previous master's degree in theology.
• A maximum of 60 ECTS credits may be missing from an eligible applicant's eligibility for the position of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Applying

The application takes place via Opintopolu opintopolku.fi 11.25.3.2025 at 15.00 EET.

• The electronic application must be accompanied by a copy of the degree certificate and transcript and a photo curriculum vitae no later than April 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. within the deadline indicated in Opintopolu.
• The application will be processed and the applicant will be considered in the selection based only on the attachments attached to the application.
• If the attachments are not attached by the deadline, the application will not be considered for selection.
• The result of the selection will be announced no later than Monday, June 23, 2025.
• Those who have been accepted for studies must submit the notification of receipt of the right to study electronically by 30.6.2025 at 3:00 p.m.

More information about studies

Suvi-Maria Saarelainen

Associate Professor

Head of department Department of Theology, Faculty of Philosophy suvi-maria.saarelainen@uef.fi