The curriculum at the Bulgarian Theological College consists of academic studies as well as practical ministry with the purpose of preparing the students for their future work in their local churches. Our goal is to equip them with knowledge and to give them opportunity right away to use it in the context of the church. Our particular vision is to find a good balance between the theoretical and the practical, the head knowledge and the experience in the walk with God, the ideas and their application.
Thus the practicum/ internship is so designed as to provide the students with skills in the area of Christian ministry in leadership positions. Every student is sent to serve a local congregation in one way or another under the supervision of an experienced minister. This way they receive guidance and absorb practical knowledge about the Christian work and also learn to work following the principles of accountability and submission.

The internship program at BTC helps the students to find out from experience what kind of ministry they feel called to do and where their strengths lay. At the end of each month every student is expected to give e report (to the Dean of Ministries) of the ministry he/she has done and what he/she has learned.

The practicum is mandatory part of the education of each student at BTC. No one will be able to successfully graduate and receive a valid diploma unless they have completed all the requirements concerning their practicum. In the Bachelor of Theology program there are incorporated 8 hours of practical ministry (1 cr. hr. per semester or 2 hours of ministry each week). There are several ways of fulfilling the requirements of the practicum and the students can pick the best way for their particular situation and the vision they have for their future ministry. However it is preferable that the students meet beforehand with the Dean of Ministry and present their choice of practical ministry as part of their practicum and receive a conformation from him. 


Here is a list of three possible ways of fulfilling the practicum:

1. Ministry in a local church: the student is expected to get actively involved in the ministry of the church he/she has chosen or is a member of, serving in the capacity of an assistant leader (assistant pastor, assistant youth leader, assistant praise and worship leader, etc.). It is preferable that the student get some practice in the ministry of Bible teaching, preaching, leading a home cell group or leading worship. However this should be done after prior consultation with the Dean of Ministry at BTC.

2. Mission oriented ministry: the student is expected to get actively involved in a weekly ministry with a team for evangelizing different regions of the country (preferably places which have not been evangelized and w\here there aren’t many Christians). Also the student can participate in planting a church under the leadership of an experienced church planter and thus gather some helpful experience in this apostolic ministry.

3. Social ministry: the student is expected to get actively involved as a volunteer in social work as part of the ministry of a Christian group, Humanitarian foundation, within the Public school system. The student can also minister with a team from their local church serving in the hospitals, orphanages, prisons and so on.
Note: If a student is unable to find the right place or opportunity to fulfill his/her duty concerning their practicum, they should consult the Dean of Ministries for guidance and direction.