Supervised Theological Field Education is the formal learning process that a student undertakes to gain practical experience in an actual ministry setting that includes education, ministry experience, theological reflection, and supervision.
Supervised Theological Field Education (STFE) is not a separate award or course. STFE is available as designated undergraduate or postgraduate units that offer a significant component of experiential learning through a ministry placement. One or more STFE units may be taken as part of a course of study. STFE units may be general or specific in their focus.
Supervised Theological Field Education seeks to integrate theology, practice, and personal identity to equip people for ongoing ministry. STFE students may be denominational candidates for formal ministry or they may be lay people drawn to work, or already working, in ministry. Ministry contexts may include parish, local church, chaplaincy, cross cultural placements, church planting or emerging faith community and mission paradigms.
Colleges offering STFE
The following Colleges of the University offer STFE Units:
- Australian Lutheran College
- Catholic Theological College
- Eva Burrows College
- Pilgrim Theological College
- Trinity College Theological School
- Whitley College
The University of Divinity has a STFE Framework that provides of a set of common requirements to which all STFE units must adhere and demonstrate alignment, as an agreed point or framework of accountability in relation to both University and community expectations and effective pedagogy. From 2021 this Framework applies to all designated STFE Units.
To read the STFE Framework within the policy context, view the full Work-Integrated Learning Policy and Work Integrated Learning Procedure.