Hochschulrechtliche und staatskirchenrechtliche Fragen der Einführung von Studiengängen evangelischer Theologie nach dem BA/MA-Modell

There is ongoing debate as to whether the current structure of the Protestant Theology degree programme at Universities should be converted into a BA/MA structure comprising consecutive degree programmes. The expert report reproduced here addresses the issues arising in this context under state church law and higher education law. It concludes that there are no fundamental obstacles under state church law - specifically under state-church agreements - to the introduction of a consecutive degree programme in Protestant theology. The findings regarding the possibility of denominational admission restrictions for the programme are more nuanced. It is possible to structure the study regulations in such a way as to ensure that students can switch their study objective from the ministry to a school-teaching career, or vice versa. Provisions under state law that preclude a single-subject Bachelor's degree are not permissible. The granting of up to two additional BAföG semesters due to the high language requirements is also possible for a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree programme. Whilst it is legally possible to establish an 'Exit BA' for students who have unsuccessfully sought to obtain the qualification required for the ministry under the traditional model outside the BA/MA structure, integrating it into a single-track Magister/Diplom programme involves considerable effort and requires extensive coordination.