Master of Arts in Theology

48 Credit Hours ~ All Courses are 3 Credit Hours

Prerequisites:

These do not fulfill degree requirements

Introduction to the Study of Catholic Theology

This course provides to students without undergraduate studies in theology an introductory overview of the sacred science in terms of content, sources, and methodology. Students are also introduced to the basic skills they will need for graduate level studies in theology.

Introduction to Philosophy

This course introduces students without undergraduate studies in philosophy to the history of philosophy and the key philosophical concepts and principles requisite to theological studies. Students are introduced to the role that philosophy plays in the articulation and understanding of faith.

Core Curriculum

36 credit hours

Sacred Scripture

Salvation History

This course focuses on the big picture of salvation history to better understand how the story of Adam and Israel find their resolution in the story of Jesus.

Jesus and the Gospels

At the center of history is the person and mission of Jesus Christ. This course presents the four Gospels to the students and highlights the importance of historical study for grounding our knowledge and faith in Jesus. Students will be introduced to the distinctive style, themes, and approach of each Gospel.

Pauline Literature

This survey of the letters of Paul highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish Paul to appeal to members of the pagan Hellenistic culture that he addressed.

Doctrine

Fundamental Theology: Faith in the Modern World

This course takes up the study of God's revelation and our response in faith. This course has two objectives. First, is to consider the Church's teaching on divine revelation and our response of faith. The second is to present the historical context modern Catholic theology.

The Creed: Christ and the Trinity

This course presents a synthetic summary of the Christian Creed with particular reference to its effective presentation in catechesis.

Mystagogy: Liturgy and Sacraments

This course aims at a dogmatic and mystagogical analysis of the Church's worship. This entails a study of the sacraments as means of grace, but also the way in which they make ritually present God's saving work from biblical history.

Moral and Spiritual Theology

This course provides students with an introduction to both moral and spiritual theology in the Catholic tradition. Emphasis is placed on a Thomistic approach to our life in Christ and the Carmelite tradition of spiritual theology.

History

Evangelization of the Ancient World and the Formation of Christian Culture

This course examines how the historical fact of the Incarnation and the founding of the Church transformed Greco-Roman culture and eventually gave birth to a new civilization that arose from the ashes of the Roman Empire.

The Crisis of Modernity and the Renewal of Christian Culture

In the wake of the Protestant Revolt and the French Enlightenment, Christians in the West experienced the increasing secularization of society and culture.This course will consider the process of secularization and the efforts of Christians to renew Christian life in the modern world.

Evangelization

Theology of the New Evangelization

This course presents the theological foundations of John Paul II's call for a New Evangelization. Students will study the key magisterial documents for evangelizing the modern world.

New Evangelization and Culture

This course begins by looking at the nature of evangelization and culture. It then examines in particular how the New Evangelization seeks to address and transform modern culture.

Leadership for the New Evangelization

This course provides students with the leadership skills necessary to be effective "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20), ambassadors who can, in turn, form others in the faith.

Electives*

12 Credit Hours

Marriage and Theology of the Body

This course presents the Church's theology of marriage and sexuality by exploring the theological tradition of sacramental marriage, ending with Pope John Paul II's theology of the body.

Foundational Catholic Themes

This course focuses on theological themes essential for the practice of evangelization and catechesis within our current culture.

Johannine Literature

This course studies the rich theology and literary structure of both the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, with a brief review of the Johannine epistles.

Pentateuch

This course offers an in depth introduction to a particular book or section of the Old Testament such as the Pentateuch, the Psalms or the Prophets.

Mary in the New Testament

This course explores the Biblical foundations of Catholic Marian doctrine and piety.

Romans

This course examines the reading of Romans throughout history and its theological significance, especially for the Church's theology of salvation.