Graduate Theology

Admissions Requirements

You should submit the following materials to the Graduate Admissions Director:

Program Requirements

To provide a common basis of approach, we require that all MA students complete four "foundation courses:" Biblical Foundations, Theological Foundations, Historical Foundations, and Teaching Vatican II.

You will also take eight elective courses. These are divided into two categories: those with a primarily theological emphasis and those focusing on the pastoral application of theology. To ensure a balanced education, you will be required to take at least two courses from each category. Elective courses can include classes such as Mary in the Modern World, Grace and Virtues, Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and Pastoral Perspectives on Marriage and the Family.

Ideally, before entering the program you should have a BA in theology or religious studies from an accredited college or university. If you don't have prior training in theology, however, you will need to take up to eight additional undergraduate courses in theology and philosophy. You can also fulfill these background requirements on campus as part of your degree program or through our Distance Learning Program.

To graduate from the program, you must pass a comprehensive examination, which you will take after completing 12 graduate theology courses (36 credit hours). Although you do not need to pass a language exam or write a thesis to earn your degree, we will encourage you to engage in additional writing and foreign language study if you are interested in writing, research, or pursuing further theological studies. Courses in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, as well as French, German, and Spanish, are available through the University.