Seminary
Master of Arts (Theology)
Purpose
The Master of Arts (Theology) is a fully accredited graduate academic degree program. Its purpose is to provide a student with competence in the study of theology as a scientific discipline and to serve as a step toward further graduate study.
Goals
The degree program goals include both the attainment of a survey knowledge of theology as well as a focus in an area of concentration for study and research writing. The seminary offers only one M. A. (Theology) degree.
Content/Degree Requirements
- A minimum of forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours in a curriculum determined by the student’s selection of an area of concentration from among Church History, Moral Theology, Pastoral Theology, Sacred Scripture, or Systematic Theology.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the 501-level courses and a minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 cumulative in all courses applied to the M. A. (Theology) degree.
- Foreign language reading proficiency is required only if such competence is demanded by the proposed research projects.
- Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination (described in the Academic Norms section of the Seminary Student Handbook).
- Successful completion of three one-credit directed research writing projects with no grade below 3.0 (described in the Academic Norms).
- In lieu of two directed research writing projects, a student, with the permission of the department chair, may write a thesis (described in the Academic Norms) for which six (6) credits are granted.
Location/Duration
The M.A. (Theology) degree program normally requires a minimum of two years of study. Students who are also completing the M.Div. degree can expect to complete the M.A. (Theology) degree at the end of their ordination program. No more than one-half of the credits applied to the M.A. (Theology) may be applied towards the M.Div. degree.
Admission Requirements for M.A. (Theology) degree program:
- Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited college.
- A minimum of 18 undergraduate credits in philosophy.
- Approval from the sponsoring diocese (for priesthood candidates only).
Distinctive Resources
Most seminary faculty members are in possession of earned doctorates, the majority from pontifical universities. Most faculty members reside on campus and take part in the community life of the seminary. The full range of information technology, writing center, library and interlibrary loan services are available to both residents and day students alike. A member of the library staff serves as a theological bibliographer and is available to facilitate research projects.
Evaluation
The completion of the comprehensive examination and the approval of the three completed research projects (or one project and the thesis option) comprise the summative evaluation instruments that ensure candidates have met the degree program goals. Further details are available in the Seminarian Handbook.
Concentration Requirements
Click on the following links for the specific requirements for each concentration:
