Master of Arts (Theology): Research Emphasis
The Master of Arts (Theology), Research Emphasis, is designed to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of theology, the ability to communicate that knowledge effectively to others, and the research tools needed to do in-depth work in the field. Students may choose to specialize in biblical studies, historical theology, systematic theology, moral theology, art and religion, Christian spirituality, cultural and historical studies of religions, or homiletics.
Goals
The program with a Research Emphasis helps students to acquire:
- a broad knowledge of the fundamental areas of theological inquiry;
- a focused and critical knowledge of one area of theology chosen by the student;
- the ability to communicate this knowledge effectively, especially through scholarly writing;
- the ability to integrate contemporary theological issues with the tradition of the Catholic Church, especially the theological tradition of Thomas Aquinas;
- a basic knowledge of the thought of a religious tradition other than the Christian one.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the MA (Theology) degree, the student will
- Be able to relate effectively the Catholic theological tradition to contemporary issues facing the Church and society;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theology of Aquinas;
- Bring the theology of Aquinas into critical dialogue with contemporary philosophical or theological issues;
- Show competence in using library and other academic research tools;
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate theological concepts clearly in writing according to accepted academic form;
- Manifest a basic knowledge of a religious tradition other than Christianity;
- Manifest the ability to use a foreign language for theological research.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts (Theology), Research Emphasis, represents the successful completion of 42 units of course work, the fulfillment of a foreign language requirement and the writing and oral defense of a thesis, for which an additional six units will be given. Students must also complete all assessment portfolio requirements, as described in the program checklist which may be obtained from the Registrar.
Course Work
Forty-two units of course work are required. One course is required in each of the three areas of biblical studies, systematic theology, moral theology, historical theology, and the theology or history of a non-Christian religious tradition. A total of four courses must be taken in the field of specialization chosen by the student. Students must take at least one-third of their total course work form DSPT and are encouraged to take one-third from outside DSPT. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average. At least one half of the course work must be from offerings above the introductory (1000) level. At least two courses must be at the 4000 level or above. The Academic Dean must approve exceptions in writing.
| Required areas |
Units |
| Biblical Studies |
3 |
| Historical Theology |
3 |
| Systematic Theology |
3 |
| Moral Theology |
3 |
| Non-Christian Religion |
3 |
| Total Required |
15 |
| Electives |
27 |
| Thesis and oral defense |
6 |
| Total |
48 |
Language Requirement
Students must possess a reading knowledge of a modern or classical foreign language. Language proficiency must normally be certified by the beginning of the third semester in the program. DSPT's policy for certifying language proficiency is based upon the GTU policy for the common M.A.; students should consult the DSPT registrar or academic dean for details. Foreign students whose native language is not English may fulfill the language requirement by passing the ETS/TOEFL examination.
Master's Thesis and Oral Defense
The capstone demonstration of the student's mastery of theological research and writing skills and the ability to use another language in that research is achieved in writing and defending an eighty-page thesis. While writing the thesis is a fundamental learning experience, in which the student employs and sharpens research, language, analytic and writing skills, the defense provides an opportunity to demonstrate not only acquired knowledge and insight but also oral communication skills.
The student must present a proposal for the thesis by the end of the third semester in the program. The proposal must demonstrate the student's ability to organize a project of theological inquiry into a brief, coherent statement. The student writes the proposal in consultation with a proposed thesis director and gives it, along with the signed thesis committee form to the Theology Department Chair at least one week before the meeting at which it is to be discussed.
In the proposal, the student also nominates a director and two readers for the thesis. These must be approved by the department, which may, at its discretion, make substitutions in light of the nature of the thesis. It is the responsibility of the director to assist the student in the writing of the thesis in whatever way is deemed appropriate. The director cannot be changed without the approval of the Department.
The thesis is to be about 80 pages in length and written according to the standards prescribed in A Manual for the Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, 6th edition, by Kate Turabian, (University of Chicago Press, 1996). A comprehensive bibliography of the appropriate sources and modern treatments of the subject matter of the thesis should be included in the final copy. Three unbound copies of the thesis must be submitted to the director and readers no later than March 1 of the year in which the degree is to be conferred. Upon approval and successful oral defense of the thesis, three copies suitable for binding and approved by the GTU Library are to be submitted, by April 15, to the Office of the Academic Dean.
Oral Defense
The oral defense of the thesis will be conducted by the director and the assigned readers. The defense shall not exceed one and one half hours in length. A student, whose thesis and oral defense are deemed outstanding by all three examiners, may be granted the degree "with honors."
For detailed information on admissions procedures for the M.A. (Theology): Research Emphasis degree program, see the Admissions Section of the website.
Theology Department Degree Programs
about us | news & events | admissions
faculty | academics | student services
