The Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree program is designed for ordained clergy, seminarians, and lay ecclesial ministers to study the basic elements of the Catholic tradition. The primary aim of the program is to foster a personal integration of faith that supports a solid theological foundation in the Roman Catholic tradition. Students are provided the opportunity to study theology within the depth and breadth of the faith tradition. In addition to core courses that survey various theological disciplines, students choose four elective courses in one of the following areas —Biblical, Historical, Liturgical/Sacramental, Systematic, or Pastoral. While there is a specific ministerial thrust to this program, a desire to become a pastoral minister is not required. The Master of Arts degree is distinct from the Master of Divinity degree that is required of students who are preparing for the ordained ministry and that is oriented to the practice of that ministry. MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM GOALS LINKED TO INSTITUTIONAL OUTCOMES
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology established five institutional outcomes: Christian Discipleship, Formation, Theological Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration that over arch all three degree programs. These outcomes define our reflective identity and vocation as a seminary, and are linked to specific programmatic goals for the Master of Arts Degree program. ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission to the Master of Arts Degree program requires a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association. The applicant must request that an official transcript of credit earned at ALL colleges and graduate schools previously attended be sent directly to the Seminary. The results of the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with the writing component are also required unless waived by the Academic Dean because of previous graduate work. MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY DEGREE CURRICULUM Prerequisites: ••A Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
••Suitable test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
••An undergraduate background supported by undergrad-
uate achievement, which would indicate the ability to engage successfully in graduate theological studies. It is most desirable that this background includes courses in philosophy and some introductory undergraduate courses in Scripture and Catholic doctrine. ••For those pursuing a double degree program (both the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree), completion of at least one year in the Master of Divinity program while maintaining at least an accumulative “B” average is required.
Curriculum Requirements: 44 Semester Hours Core Course Hours (35 semester hours of core courses)
35
Biblical Studies Hours Biblical Hermeneutics Pentateuch and Historical Books Synoptic Gospels and Acts Pauline Literature and Catholic Epistles
10 2 3 3 2
Historical Studies Hours Church History I Church History II
6 3 3
25
Systematic Hours Fundamental Theology Christology Ecclesiology God: One and Three Fundamental Moral Theology Liturgical and Sacramental Theology Hours Liturgical-Sacramental Theology Eucharist
13 3 3 2 2 3 6 3 3
Elective Hours 8 (8 semester hours of elective courses) Area Electives 6 (6 hours of course work in one of the following areas of concentration: Biblical, Historical, Liturgical-Sacramental, Systematic or Pastoral Studies) General Elective (2 hours of course work outside the student’s area of specialization in an elective) Capstone Symposium (Pass with Honors/Pass Grade)
2
1
Total Hours: 44 Semester Hours Total core courses: 35 semester hours Total electives: 8 semester hours (6 area electives) (2 general electives) Degree Capstone: 1 semester hour DEGREE COMPLETION: Degree requirements must be completed within eight (8) years after the first semester enrolled in the Master of Arts program.