Master of Arts in Theological Studies


SCOPE AND PURPOSE

Notre Dame Seminary is an institution of higher learning that, while primarily preparing men for ministerial priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church, also seeks to prepare non-seminarians for leadership and catechetical roles in the Church, as well as to aid those who seek to deepen their understanding of Catholic theology.  Through the M.A. Program in Theological Studies, Notre Dame fulfills this secondary mission, which it considers a vital element of its overall mission and a vital service to the Church and the community at large.

 

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies is designed to guide the student in understanding the Catholic Faith by way of theological reflection best described by the traditional dictum fides quaerens intellectum, “faith seeking understanding.”  It offers specific training and preparation for lifelong theological learning, theological and catechetical instruction.  It accomplishes these purposes through providing the required academic coursework in traditional and non-traditional formats well-adapted to the needs of contemporary students.  The requisite coursework is geared toward engaging students in graduate level learning and research in four major categories of theological research: biblical, dogmatic, moral and historical.

 

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies actively promotes human and spiritual development, an atmosphere of prayerful theological study and research, and a commitment to cultivating ecclesial leadership in ways proper to non-presbyteral, religious and diaconal students.

 

PHILOSOPHY OF THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies incorporates the Philosophy and Mission of the Graduate School of Theology into its own statement of Philosophy.  The program seeks to nurture students into mature theological thinkers with the ability to pursue lifelong theological study and professional pursuits related to the fields of theology, catechesis and pastoral leadership.  This requires “adequate knowledge in theological studies” and the development of “the intellectual skill” necessary to use this knowledge to the advantage of others. The M.A. Program in Theological Studies actively seeks to form students intellectually while encouraging and evaluating their human, spiritual and pastoral growth. 

 

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies is based on the principle of authentic and creative fidelity to the totality of the Catholic Tradition and to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.  In the Catholic Tradition, theological investigation and speculation are acts of faith in which human reason is applied to the truth of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ for the sake of understanding it more fully and adhering to it more deeply.  In theological instruction and research, professors and students must exercise their intellectual and academic freedom of inquiry and expression within this context. 

 

With the entire Notre Dame Seminary community, the M.A. Program in Theological Studies adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, creed, age or national origin. In addition, it conscientiously seeks to comply with all applicable legislation concerning nondiscrimination in employment practices and in development of personnel, concerning the protections of faculty and student rights of privacy and access of information concerning accommodations for the handicapped.  

 

The Master of Arts (M.A.) Program in Theological Studies is administered by the Director of the M.A. Program under the guidance of the Academic Dean and the Rector-President of Notre Dame Seminary.  The M.A. Program in Theological Studies is part of the Graduate School of Theology of Notre Dame Seminary.

 

M.A. IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES DEGREE TRACKS

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies offers three tracks for completion of the M.A. Degree in Theological Studies:
 
Degree Tracks

 ·         M.A. (Basic) Track – This degree track consisting of 36 total credit hours and written comprehensive examinations (0 hours);

·         M.A. (Concentration) Track – This degree track allows for students to concentrate in one area of theological study consisting of 36 total credit hours, 6 additional credit hours in an area of concentration, written comprehensive examinations (0 hours) and an oral comprehensive examination in the area of concentration (0 hours);

·         M.A. (Thesis) Track – This degree track is the preferred preparation for future doctoral work, and includes 36 total credit hours, 6 additional credit hours in an area of concentration, written comprehensive examinations (0 hours), an oral comprehensive examination in the area of concentration (0 hours), competency in a foreign language (0 hours) and a major research thesis (3 hours);

 

Course Formats

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies is offered in two formats which offer complete cycles of courses that meet the requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Theological Studies.  Students are encouraged to combine these formats in meeting degree requirements (see “Pursuing Coursework” below):

Weekday Format
This format is the traditional format utilized by seminarians pursuing the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, and offers courses from the M.Div. curriculum toward completion of the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.  Courses are available in Fall and Spring semesters. 

 

Saturday Format
To better meet the needs of non-seminary students who work full-time, Notre Dame Seminary has inaugurated a format and course cycle for degree completion that meets on Saturdays.  In this format, all courses run five Saturdays per semester, 1-2 Saturdays per month (5 consecutive Saturdays or alternative format in Summer) with a minimum of 35 clock hours of instruction per 3 credit hour course.  Classes meet from 8:00am-5:00pm, with scheduled hourly breaks, a break for Mass, and a long break for lunch.  In addition, this program has a complete set of course offerings which are offered in a fixed cycle in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

 

STATEMENT OF M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES GOALS

The M.A. Program in Theological Studies is specifically designed to enhance students’ theological knowledge and research skills in the Catholic theological tradition and to support the development of the appropriate dispositions for non-presbyteral ecclesial ministry.  Success in the M.A. Program is based not only on completing the required coursework, but also on demonstrating theological knowledge and research skills.  Whether they pursue doctoral studies in theology or enter into ecclesial service, graduates of the M.A. Program engage in ongoing theological reflection in creative fidelity to the Catholic theological tradition and the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

Upon successful completion of the M.A. Program in Theological Studies, graduates should be able to:

 

THEOLOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE SKILLS
SLO 1.      Synthesize knowledge in the fields of biblical study, historical theology, dogmatic theology and moral theology.
SLO 2.      Conduct and evaluate graduate-level research in biblical study, historical theology, dogmatic theology and  
                moral theology.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Director of the M.A. Program in Theological Studies accepts applications for admission from students without regard to ethnicity, creed, age, gender, disability status, or national origin.

 

The admissions process for the M.A. Program in Theological Studies has two stages.  The first is provisional admission to the M.A. Program in Theological Studies, which lasts from initial entrance into the program until the student has successfully completed 15 credit hours of required coursework (24 hours for students transferring graduate credit from other institutions).  The second is full admission to the M.A. Program, which begins after the student successfully applies for full admission to the M.A. Program and lasts until degree completion.  These stages of admission must be completed in order.  Provisional admission to the M.A. Program does not guarantee full admission to the M.A. Program.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVISIONAL ADMISSION TO THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

All admissions materials must be sent to the Office of the Registrar, Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School of Theology, 2901 S. Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118.  The admission requirements include the following:
  1. Complete graduate admission application
  2. Payment of a graduate application fee  (i.e., a one‑time, non‑refundable application fee of $40.00)
  3. Receipt of all official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study from granting institutions
  4. Receipt of two letters of recommendation
  5. Completion of the Self-Assessment of Theological Knowledge and Performance Skills (Pre-Assessment).  This requirement is usually administered in the first course taken by the student.

Deadlines to complete the application package for admission to the Graduate School of Theology (minus the two Self-Assessments) are:    

August 15         for Fall Registration
 December 15    for Spring Registration                 
May 15              for Summer Registration

Applicants who submit graduate application packages that are received after these dates will not be eligible for admission until the semester following the next deadline.

 

POLICIES FOR ADMISSION TO THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

STAGES OF ADMISSION

STAGE ONE: PROVISIONAL ADMISSION TO THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES – Student must meet the following minimum criteria for admission:
  • A minimum 2.5 undergraduate grade-point average and a baccalaureate degree from a university or college approved by a recognized regional accrediting agency in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university;
  • The graduate admission requirements must be completed.  Please refer to the requirements listed above;
  • The decision regarding admission will be made on the basis of the following criteria:
    1. Completed admission requirements;
    2. Undergraduate grade-point average (2.5 or above, preferably a 3.0 or above);
    3. Satisfactory letters of recommendation indicating promise of graduate-level academic success in theological study;
    4. Twelve hours in undergraduate or graduate philosophical study including credit in at least four of the following seven areas: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, Thomistic philosophy, natural theology, ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy.  Student who do not have these prerequisite credits and meet all other admission criteria may meet this requirement by successfully completing the Philosophical Foundations for Theology prerequisite course offered every summer with a “B” or higher.

 

Candidates will be notified by the Director of the M.A. Program regarding the results of their admission application.  Those who are accepted will be allowed to register for the next semester.  Those who are not will not be allowed to begin the program. 

 

STAGE TWO: FULL ADMISSION TO THE M.A. PROGRAM IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
The second stage of admission to the M.A. Program in Theological Studies is full admission (see “Admission to the M.A. Program in Theological Studies” below).  Full admission is primarily determined through academic achievement in graduate courses.   Students apply in the semester in which they will achieve 15 credit hours (24 credit hours for transfer students) of graduate theological coursework (not including any philosophical prerequisites).

To be admitted to the M.A. Program, students must submit the following to the Director of the M.A. Program:
  • The Application for Admission to the M.A. Program in Theological Studies completed in full and signed by the student, including final declaration of the M.A. track (subject to approval by the student’s advisor);

 

The decision regarding admission will be made by the M.A. Faculty on the basis of the following criteria:
  • A 2.7 average or higher in all coursework applicable to the degree (3.5 average in the area of concentration for students in the M.A. (Concentration) and M.A. (Thesis) tracks, having completed at least 15 credit hours or 24 credit hours (transfer students only).  Students who do not have the requisite average must raise their average by retaking courses for which they received grades lower than a “B” before being fully admitted;

 

Deadlines to complete the application package for admission to the M.A. Program in Theological Studies are:

                             

June 1              for students completing the requisite hours in the Summer session
September 1    for students completing the requisite hours in the Fall session
January 15       for students completing the requisite hours in the Spring session

Applicants who submit application packages that are received after these dates will not be allowed to register for the subsequent semester.

Candidates will be notified by the Director of the M.A. Program regarding the results of their admission application.  Those who are accepted will be allowed to register for the next semester.  Those who are not will not be allowed to continue their studies until all criteria and/or academic and personal standards are satisfactorily achieved.

 

PURSUING COURSEWORK

Students are advised to map out a program of study with their advisor in their pursuance of the M.A. Degree in weekday classes, Saturday classes or some combination thereof.  Weekday classes are offered either in the morning or in the afternoon, with afternoon classes beginning no later than 3:30 pm. Saturday courses are offered in one of two Saturday formats: a) a one Saturday per month per course format (in the Fall and Spring); and b) a five consecutive Saturday format (Summer) (see Saturday Format below).  Finally, evening courses and weekday summer courses may be offered on an as-needed basis.

Students must first complete the Foundational Program (i.e., certain 100 level courses in each of the four areas of theology:  Sacred Scripture, Historical, Moral and Systematic Theology) or be able to show evidence of having completed this background prior to admission at NDS.  A maximum of nine (9) credits may be transferred and applied towards their Master of Theology degree, provided that the course(s) fulfills the requirements of the academic program of the seminary.  Exceptions to these rules can only be made with special permission from the M.A. Director in consultation with the Academic Dean.

Students who have an insufficient background in the philosophical resources required in graduate theological study will be required to take a non-credit philosophy course, i.e. Philosophical Foundations for Theology.  This seminar will be offered every summer in the Saturday format.

 

The Foundational program includes the following courses:                       
SS 502             Pentateuch OR                       
SS 511             Old Testament (Saturday format - recommended)

HT 501            The Patristic Period

MT 501           Principles of Moral Theology OR                       
MT 511           Person and Morality (Saturday Format - recommended

DT 501            Fundamental Theology

 

·         Once the Foundational Program is completed in any area, students may enroll in any course from that area. The foundational courses introduce a student to the area of study and help students choose their area of concentration if that is required.

 ·         A directed reading course may be taken only if a student cannot possibly attend class during the time it is offered, the course is required for the M.A. degree, and an appropriate instructor in the field is available to offer the course in the directed readings format. All directed reading courses are to be arranged by the student with a professor at the professor’s discretion. Directed readings courses are discouraged generally and are not allowed when the course is offered in the regular schedule.  No more than two directed readings courses are allowed to count toward degree completion, and the approval of the M.A. Director is required for all such courses.

·         Elective courses do not meet the core requirements for the MA program, but can be counted toward the area of concentration. 

·         Pastoral courses do not meet the requirements for the M. A program.   The following is a list of the courses and credits required for each of the three tracks offered in the Master of Theological Studies program.  Specific courses in varying formats may be substituted for each other if necessary with the approval of the M.A. Director.

 

M.A. (Basic) - 36 sem. hrs.

Foundational Courses
SS  502  Pentateuch                                                                            3 sem. hrs.
OR
SS  511  Old Testament (recommended)                                            3 sem. hrs.

HT  501 The Patristic Period                                                               3 sem. hrs.

MT 501 Principles of Moral Theology                                                3 sem. hrs.
OR
MT 511 Person and Morality (recommended)                                   3 sem. hrs.

 

DT  501 Fundamental Theology                                                          3 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                    12 sem. hrs.                
Required upper level courses
SS  ___  (1 New Testament course)                                                    3 sem. hrs.       

MT ___ (2 additional Moral Theology Courses)                                 6 sem. hrs.

 DT  ___ (2 additional Dogmatic Theology Courses)                           6 sem. hrs.

HT 503 The Medieval Period                                                              3 sem. hrs.

SS  ___  (Additional Scripture Course)                                                3 sem. hrs.

HT  ___ (Additional Historical Course)                                               3  sem. hrs.

 

Comprehensive Examinations                                                           0 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                 24 sem. hrs.    
                                                                               TOTAL:              36 sem. hrs.

 

M.A. (Concentration) - 42 sem. hrs.

Foundational Courses
SS  502  Pentateuch                                                                            3 sem. hrs.
OR
SS  511  Old Testament                                                                      3 sem. hrs.

HT  501 The Patristic Period                                                              3 sem. hrs.

 

MT 501 Principles of Moral Theology                                                3 sem. hrs.
OR
MT 511 Person and Morality                                                              3 sem. hrs.

 

DT  501 Fundamental Theology                                                          3 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                  12 sem. hrs.                
Required upper level courses
SS  ___  (1 New Testament course)                                                    3 sem. hrs.       

MT ___ (2 additional Moral Theology Courses)                                 6 sem. hrs.

DT  ___ (2 additional Dogmatic Theology Courses)                          6 sem. hrs.

HT 503 The Medieval Period                                                              3 sem. hrs.

SS  ___  (Additional Scripture Course)                                               3 sem. hrs.

HT  ___ (Additional Historical Course)                                              3  sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                 24 sem. hrs.

 

2 additional courses in area of Concentration                                   6 sem. hrs.
Comprehensive Examinations                                                            0 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                  TOTAL:                    42 sem. hrs.

 

 

M.A. (Thesis) - 45 sem. hrs.

Foundational Courses
SS  502  Pentateuch                                                                            3 sem. hrs.
OR
SS  511  Old Testament                                                                      3 sem. hrs.

HT  501 The Patristic Period                                                              3 sem. hrs.

MT 501 Principles of Moral Theology                                                3 sem. hrs.
OR
MT 511 Person and Morality                                                              3 sem. hrs.

DT  501 Fundamental Theology                                                          3 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                  12 sem. hrs.                
Required upper level courses
SS  ___  (1 New Testament course)                                                   3 sem. hrs.       

MT ___ (2 additional Moral Theology Courses)                                6 sem. hrs.

DT  ___ (2 additional Dogmatic Theology Courses)                          6 sem. hrs.

HT 503 The Medieval Period                                                             3 sem. hrs.

SS  ___  (Additional Scripture Course)                                               3 sem. hrs.

HT  ___ (Additional Historical Course)                                              3  sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                 24 sem. hrs.

 

2 additional courses in area of Concentration                                  6 sem. hrs.
Comprehensive Examinations                                                           0 sem. hrs.
Language Proficiency Exam                                                               0 sem. hrs.
Comprehensive Examinations                                                           0 sem. hrs.
Research Thesis (SS 701, MT 701, DT 701 or HT 701)                      3 sem. hrs.                                                                                                                                                      TOTAL:                 45 sem hrs.

 

In the M.A. (Thesis) Track, the language requirement and comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed before the student is allowed to register for thesis hours.