Placements are available from a large, diverse pool of churches and specialized ministries located in rural, suburban, and urban settings. All field education placements are done in approved sites and with qualified and approved supervisors. The Office of Field Education and Vocational Placement is committed to providing cross-cultural, diversely racial/ethnic, and international sites for ministry. Churches and institutions that participate in the PTS Field Education program have an understanding of the program’s goals and educational mission and have agreed that the primary purpose of field education is the preparation of the student for competent professional ministry.
Types of Placements
The purpose of supervised ministry in a church is to help students acquire a general understanding of the church and its ministry in a variety of areas, and to help prepare students for ordained ministry, general pastoral responsibilities, and religious leadership roles.
Often completed with a non-profit organization, the purpose of supervised ministry in a specialized ministry placement is to help students acquire a general understanding of the nature of a particular institution, its governance, and the needs it addresses, as well as to help prepare students for leadership roles and responsibilities that use their theological education in the broader public context.
These placements provide relevant experience for students discerning a call to ministry in an international setting. Students interested in doing an international placement must first schedule a meeting to speak with their FE advisor. This should be done as early as possible during their time in seminary. Students who plan to participate in a travel course during their time at PTS are not eligible to do an international field education placement.
The purpose of the intensive internship program is to provide students with opportunities to engage in supervised ministry for a period of nine-to-twelve months on a full-time basis. A well-structured and intentionally conceived internship will provide the student with opportunities for learning and growth that will help: (1) clarify vocational direction and commitment; (2) develop personal and professional understanding of and competence for ministry; and (3) foster personal, interpersonal, and spiritual growth.
“At Princeton, we had precept groups—we’d engage text and debate. That gave me confidence to have those conversations anywhere.”