Academics

The M.A. (Master of Arts) in Theology is available either on-campus or through our Distance Learning program. 

The M.A. in Theology program is a course of study designed to give both a broad acquaintance with the major theological disciplines, and the opportunity to choose a concentration. It is a flexible program designed to prepare men and women for ministry, teaching religion or theology, for a subsequent Post Master’s Certificate, licentiate or doctoral work, or for integrating their existing life and profession with a theological component.

A student may concentrate in Bioethics, Church History, Dogmatic Theology, Liturgy, Moral Theology, Philosophical Theology, or Sacred Scripture. Please note that some concentrations may be available either only on-campus or only through Distance Learning.

The student must take 36 semester hours of graduate course work and complete the degree
requirements with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better. Students who aspire to pursue more advanced
degrees beyond the M.A. may take a foreign language exam and write an M.A. Thesis. However, neither the thesis nor the language exam may be substituted for any of the required 36 credit hours. All students must take four core courses and pass the summative evaluation requirement (a thesis, comprehensive exams, or a special project). There is a six year time limit from entry into the program for completion of the degree requirements.

Core Curriculum

Holy Apostles requires M.A. candidates to complete a twelve credit core curriculum within
the program. The core courses are:

• SS 704 Synoptic Gospels
• STD 707 God: One and Triune
• STD 901 Christology
• STM 620 Fundamental Moral Theology I

Four courses must be taken within the area of concentration.

Comprehensive Examination

Students matriculating into the program in the summer of 2013 or afterwards are bound by the new summative evaluation process that allows students to choose from one of three options: comprehensive exams, a 50- to 80-page thesis, or a special project.

Comprehensive Exam Guidelines

Thesis Guidelines

The special projects guidelines will be available by May 20, 2013.

Coursework

A candidate for the M.A. in Theology is required to complete course work from the various theological, liturgical and pastoral areas of graduate study. The following descriptions provide an overview of each area of graduate study, and specify course work normally required for the M.A. in Theology, regardless of concentration. The specific degree requirements for each concentration are listed below.

Bioethics

 These courses articulate authentic Catholic teaching with respect to bioethical issues. They provide students with a solid Magisterial foundation in medical ethics and bioethical science. Some of the topics discussed in an interdisciplinary model are technological reproduction, the criteria for brain death, genetic engineering, end of life decisions, "living wills", fetal tissue research, cloning and various legal issues pertaining to bioethical procedures.

Church History

These courses offer a comprehensive study of the Church from its foundation to the Second Vatican Council. They include the teachings of the Church Fathers as well as the history of the Church in America. They provide students with an understanding of the role of Catholics in knowing the times and interpreting them in light of the Gospel.

Dogmatic Theology

These courses are designed to examine the doctrine of the Catholic Church. Topics covered include Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, the Sacraments, Mariology and Grace. Required courses are STD 707 ‐ God: One and Triune, and STD 901 ‐ Christology.

Liturgy

These courses are ideal for the parish Liturgy Committee/Director. Topics include the practice of liturgy, and the bases for liturgy in Scripture and Tradition and Liturgical Music. The theology contained within the liturgy is explored and developed. The Documents of the Second Vatican Council, and post‐conciliar documents, as they relate to liturgy, are explored.

Moral Theology

These courses place in perspective the philosophical and theological tools with which the complex issues of morality are theoretically and practically evaluated. They help the student to discover the theological and moral virtues within the context of human activity. Canon Law is covered by courses in this area.  The required course is STM 620 ‐ Fundamental Moral Theology I.

Philosophical Theology

These courses deal with the importance of philosophical thought as it relates to contemporary and classic theology. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and Pope John Paul II are among those studied. Topics include medieval philosophy, God as First Principle, modern atheism and its causes, virtue and personalism, and the secular world.

Sacred Scripture

These courses are designed to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding and love of Scripture, the soul of theology. Courses will include books of the Old and New Testaments, particularly the Gospels as the heart of the Scriptures. Methods of patristic interpretation as well as modern methods of interpretation will be utilized. The required course is SS704 - Synoptic Gospels.