Master of Arts (Theology)

M.A. (Theology) Degree Purpose

The Master of Arts (Theology) offers a fully accredited graduate academic degree program. Its purpose is to provide a student with competence in the study of theology as a scientific discipline and to serve as a step toward further graduate study. The degree complies with all relevant standards: ATS General Institutional Standards, Educational Standards applicable to all Degree Programs, and in particular Standard D "Basic Programs oriented toward General Theological Studies."

M.A. (Theology) Course Content

• A minimum of forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours in a curriculum determined by the area of concentration selected by the candidate from among Church History, Moral Theology, Sacred Scripture, and Systematic Theology. This includes a minimum 12 credits of Foundational Theology cores, 12 credits of concentration department specific cores, 9 cores from other concentrations, minimum 6 credits of concentration electives, with 3 credits of concomitant research projects, plus approximately 6 credits of other coursework for 48 credit total.
• A minimum GPA of 2.5 in four specified 501-level core/foundational courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses applied to the M.A.(Theology) degree.
• Foreign language reading proficiency is required only if such competence is demanded by the proposed research projects, such as the use of Biblical Greek or Hebrew for exegesis papers by Sacred Scripture concentrators.
• Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination (described in the Academic Norms section of the Seminarian Handbook ).
• Successful completion of three one-credit directed research writing projects, and their concomitant two-credit electives, with no grade below 3.0 (described in the Academic Norms).
• In lieu of two of the directed research writing projects, a student, with the permission of the department chair, may write a thesis (described in the Academic Norms) for which six (6) credits are granted.

M.Div./M.A. Combination

M.A. (Theology) Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) from an appropriately accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or by the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome)

• A minimum of 18 undergraduate credits in philosophy, preferably the following titles (which are offered regularly as part of the Pre-Theology Formation Program):
  • Logic; Ethics; Ancient Philosophy; Medieval Philosophy; Modern Philosophy; Contemporary Philosophy
• Approval from the sponsoring diocese and endorsement by the seminarian’s formation advisor (for priesthood candidates only).
• Seminarians in first theology may enroll in the M.A. (theology) degree program by declaring their area of concentration during the fall or spring registration period. They must obtain the endorsement of their diocese and their formation advisor.
• All other students who meet admission requirements must declare their degree program and area of concentration upon application.
• Mature candidates with evidence of significant professional, military, academic, continuing education may be admitted at the discretion of the seminary academic dean. Some prerequisite coursework in philosophy may be waived based on the judgment that this evidence provides the well founded hope of the ability to actively pursue and complete the degree.
• No more than six (6) transferable semester credits may be accepted towards the M.A. (theology) degree. All applicants must submit official transcripts showing prior work to be reviewed by the seminary academic dean and seminary registrar.  All course credits applied to the M.A. (theology) degree should be earned (at the Mount or another appropriately accredited graduate-level institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or by the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome) within ten years of the awarding of the degree. 
• To be considered transferable, credits must be earned with a minimum grade of “C” (2.0), from an appropriately accredited graduate-level institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or by the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome. Transfer credits are not calculated into the final GPA calculations for the M.Div. degree.