The primary focus of the M.A. in Theological Studies Program is academic theology. It is a basic academic theological degree, which seeks to provide a solid and integrated theological grounding in the five areas of Sacred Scripture, Historical Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual Theology and Systematic Theology. The student can choose a major concentration in one of the five fields through upper division course work. The program is offered at two levels, general and research. 

The program is open to all qualified applicants, clerical, religious and lay. However, it is not ordinarily a program for candidates for the Roman Catholic Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate, and does not fulfill the canonical conditions for ordination.

Candidates for the program include the following:

- Those who wish to acquire a sound theological basis for exercising various forms of Christian ministry, exclusive of the priesthood and permanent diaconate, e.g., parish work, religious education, counseling, community and social work, religious communications media, religious formation, etc.

- Professional men and women who wish to pursue and enrich their profession from the enlarged perspective of theological formation.

- Ordained clergy who seek to update and deepen their grasp of theology, and use it for more effective ministry.

- Candidates for the ministry in other denominations who use the program as one element in their ministerial formation.

- In general, those who seek personal enrichment and growth in their Christian life, together with integration of their faith experience.

- Finally, students who pursue the program as preparation for higher graduate studies.

Persons responding to the priestly call from baptism, as distinct from the call to ordained priestly ministry, come to Notre Dame for Catholic higher education and formation so as to better live out their vocation of Christian ministry in their families, Church communities, and secular occupations.

Because of their unique competencies, Vatican Council II has recognized the important role lay ministers play in the Church, as well as in society. The lay apostolate complements pastoral ministry and the Council has exhorted the laity to take a more active part, each according to his/her talents and knowledge and in fidelity to the mind of the Church, in the explanation and defense of Christian principles and in the correct application of them to the problems of our times. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Lay People Ch II, par. 7) Men and women religious also play an important role in the Church and in society. Through profession of the evangelical counsels they bear witness to the presence of Christ in the world today and are a counter cultural sign. The ministries of men and women religious build up and enrich the Church community and are a unique presence of the Church within society as they seek to make Christ known and loved and to build the kingdom. After enriching their own personal understanding and faith through the study of theology, both lay persons and religious are better equipped to share the mind of the Church with others through their ministries.

The center of faith is belief in Christ as expressed in the teachings and heritage of the Catholic Church. Notre Dame Seminary offers a curriculum centered in Jesus Christ that preserves the rich deposit that is our Catholic heritage. The desire to be faithful to the teachings of the Church and to apply these teachings to everyday life, deeply motivates those who undertake the study of theology. To this study the student brings expertise from all aspects of living - the work force, culture, the business world, family and community life, ministries and mission work, and the parish. Courses relevant to the lay person and religious in society, address practical solutions to modern issues in areas such as medical ethics, social justice and human sexuality. By learning the methods of theology and gaining competence in several theological areas, students are better able to relate the Word of God to the various aspects of their lives. A deepening in theology, spirituality, and scripture, and a new awareness of the modern issues in society enable students to integrate their faith life with their ministry and to better serve the people of God.

Intellectual formation at Notre Dame is not merely academic. The students are exposed to a Catholic communal environment which effects a change in their personal and professional lives. Because programs are suited to the needs and plans of the students, their unique gifts and talents can be developed for ministry. To this end, each receives individual attention, guidance and support from both the faculty and the community.

The time of study an off-campus student requires to earn a degree may be very short or may occupy several years, depending on the life circumstances of each individual. Some students may choose not to take courses for a degree but for personal growth and enrichment. No matter how much time off-campus students are present, they give and receive many blessings by participating in the community. By studying alongside the seminarians, the lay students learn theology in a seminary environment and they gain unique insights into some aspects of clerical formation. In turn, seminarians learn from studying with lay students and religious about collaboration, styles of ministry and are challenged in their intellectual endeavors. Sharing educational experiences fosters greater unity and promotes the wider notion of family within the Church.

1) To develop in general a mature understanding of theology, in an environment of Catholic Theology, as the basis of the students life and activity.

2) To provide students with an understanding of contemporary developments in biblical studies, and in systematic, historical and moral theology, and also, as appropriate, in spiritual theology.

3) To introduce and expose students to contemporary scholarship in these areas.

4) To put students in contact with the sources that lie behind contemporary developments.

5) To enable students to engage in various activities of Christian ministry from a sound theological perspective.

6) To assist students to integrate their personal faith experience with solid theological insights and convictions.

7) To enable students to pursue their chosen professional career from the perspective of an informed religious commitment.

8) To deepen and enrich the personal Christian life and activities of all participants.

9) For candidates pursuing the program as preparation for higher graduate studies (Research M.A. degree):

a) To form students in correct methodology for theological scholarship and research.

b) To encourage and foster personal research and investigation, particularly in the students chosen area of concentration.

c) To provide a solid basis for advanced graduate work, and to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in this academic endeavor.

a) Foundational Program: Introductory, 100" level courses in the four areas of Sacred Scripture, Systematic, Historical and Moral Theology, with emphasis on methodology, viz.:

b) M.A. Program Proper: 10 courses from the upper level:

(1) 4 courses in one area of concentration;

(2) 2 courses in each of the remaining three areas; 1 course in the remaining four areas for Spiritual Theology concentration);

(3) 2 courses may have been taken at another institution provided they are equivalent to those offered at Notre Dame.

The degree of Bachelor of Arts (or an equivalent degree) and a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

1) An overall average of at least 2.70 must be maintained by the student.

2) Successful completion of comprehensive examinations

1) The degree of Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent degree) with a minimum grade point average of 2.70.

2) The candidate must pass a proficiency examination in one ancient or modern language that is relevant to research. The examination must be passed before choosing a thesis topic.

1) An overall average of at least 3.0 must be maintained by the student.

2) The candidate must submit a thesis which has been directed by a director approved by the M.A. Director.

3) The thesis must be submitted no later than two years after the completion of course work. For a good reason, the thesis committee may consider a request for extra time.

4) The candidate must present an oral defense of the thesis.

5) The candidate must successfully complete comprehensive examinations.

Thesis Director Guidelines

A faculty member who has been selected to direct a thesis should consult the Thesis Guidelines in relation to procedures and timetables and follow A Manual for Writers for style and format.

The thesis director

1) Will advise the student in selecting two faculty members for the committee; however, the student will make final decisions regarding the composition of the committee.

2) Can suggest that the candidate seek advice of other experts in preparing the prospectus.

3) Should work closely with the candidate, setting up a timetable for each chapter (or portion thereof) and correcting chapters as they are submitted with appropriate suggestions.

4) Will be required to submit regular progress reports, written or oral, to the M.A. Director.

Students Thesis Guidelines

The candidate for the M.A. in Theological Studies is required to plan the projected thesis in due course under the guidance of the director. The following requisites must be completed by the Spring Semester of the calendar year in which the degree is to be conferred.

The candidate will:

1) File a thesis application with the M.A. Director.

2) Select a thesis topic with the aid and approval of the thesis director chosen by the student.

3) Write a 500 word prospectus and prepare a supporting bibliography, approved by the thesis director.

4) In consultation with the thesis director, submit to the M.A. Director names of two readers who are knowledgeable of the subject matter, to serve on the Thesis Committee.

5) When notified by the M.A. Director, the candidate will appear before a review committee (usually the same as the Thesis Committee), named by the M.A. Director, to explain the nature and scope of the research project.

Once the review committee has approved the project, the candidates thesis can be presented even if the thesis director is no longer on the faculty (providing the student professionally completes the stated intention).

If the M.A. director needs to select a Thesis Committee composed of other than the members of the review committee, it must be made clear to the Thesis Committee that the thesis is to be judged in accordance with the intentions of the approved prospectus, even if the opinions of the members may differ. 

The candidate must work closely with the thesis director, submitting chapters and sections of chapters regularly. A completed thesis submitted that has not been under the constant supervision of the director, will not be accepted. The director will decide when the two readers will receive copies of the chapters. It is expected that their professional competency will be used as a resource for enhancing the students work. 

While the student is always encouraged to present new ideas and solve problems, it is sufficient for a masters thesis that the student present a contribution to the field of study by bringing together scattered material under one theme. 

Once the thesis is written, the student will contact the M.A. Director to arrange a date for the defense of the thesis. Two weeks before the date of the defense, the student will supply a copy of the thesis to the thesis director, the two members of the committee and the M.A. Director.

After the date for the defense has been set, the M.A. Director will post an announcement on the academic bulletin board, inviting the faculty and student body to the meeting as observers. The time of the meeting will be set at a time convenient to the student and committee members rather than the student body. The M.A. Director will reserve a room for the meeting.

The M.A. Director, or an appointed faculty member, will moderate the meeting which will follow this procedure:

a) The student gives a short summary, evaluation and critique of the main points of the thesis.

b) In turn, the members of the committee will discuss the thesis with the student who will present an oral defense of the completed thesis. Then all members of the committee will be free to engage in discussion with one another and the student on the topic of the thesis.

c) If the student and thesis director wish, the observers may enter into the discussion after the committee has had sufficient time to examine the thesis.

If the thesis is approved by the thesis director and two readers, it will be returned to the student for final corrections and recommendations. A sample title page and signature page may be obtained from the M.A. Directors office. The completed thesis (an original and two copies) must be submitted to the M.A. Director by March 15^th if the student intends to receive a degree at the time of the Spring graduation.  

There is a $25.00 fee to bind the thesis for the library. The finished thesis becomes the property of Notre Dame Seminary and may not be published in whole or in part without the written permission of the M.A. Director. 

Occasionally one of the appointed readers of the Thesis Committee will be a faculty member of another seminary or university. The fee for an outside reader is $50.00.

1) Three credits are given for the M.A. thesis or a variable amount of credits for which a student can apply with the vote of the thesis director and the committee.

2) The three credits are not applicable to the four courses in the area of concentration.

3) If more credits are given for the thesis only those additional credits may be applied to the four courses of concentration.

4) The thesis is given a grade, and the grade calculated in the grade point average, carrying the weight of a 3 credit course.

1) All candidates for the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree are required to take written comprehensive examinations in the following areas: Sacred Scripture, Historical Theology, Moral Theology, Systematic Theology, and Spiritual Theology (for Spiritual Theology concentration).

2) Comprehensive examinations may be taken either at the completion of all course work, or when an area of study has been completed. The deadline for completing comprehensives is April 1^st in the year of graduation.

3) Candidates will be required to answer two questions during the three-hour examination.

4) The two questions will be chosen by the M.A. Director from the five study questions in each of the above four or five areas of theology. These five study questions are selected by the student from a list of ten study questions.

5) The school will provide books needed for the comprehensives, such as Readers Bible and Vatican II texts.

6) The comprehensive examination is scheduled and administered by the Registrar.

7) Grading:

a) A candidate who fails in any area must retake the comprehensive examination in that area at a time approved by the Registrar.

b) The comprehensive examination grade counts for 25% of the final grade point average.

8) Regulations for M.A. students will be based on the revised catalog of the year when the last course was taken. This pertains to comprehensives, thesis and graduation.