THE MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY (OPTION I)
The Master of Arts degree in theology offers two options for students seeking to broaden their understanding of theology and enhance their academic qualifications. The Master of Arts in Theology (Option I) is a research-oriented two-year degree in theological studies, accenting the theological tradition of DSPT, requiring both a foreign language and a Master's thesis. Students completing this program often teach or pursue doctoral studies, including those of the Graduate Theological Union. Students may choose to specialize in scripture, historical studies, systematic and philosophical theology, moral theology, religion and the arts, homiletics, the cultural and historical study of religion, or Christian spirituality.Option I (Research Specialization)
The M.A. Option I is designed to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of theology and to develop their academic research skills. It seeks to form and develop the following characteristics in students:- a focused and critical knowledge of the fundamental areas of biblical, historical, dogmatic, and moral theology, and the ability to communicate that knowledge through scholarly writing.
- the knowledge and practice of critical research skills.
- the ability to use a foreign language for purposes of research.
- the ability to integrate contemporary theological issues and questions with the tradition of the Catholic Church, especially the theological tradition of Thomas Aquinas.
- a theological understanding of the role of the Magisterium in a pluralistic ecclesial context which often includes divergent views.
- an awareness of other Christian and non-Christian religious traditions within the context of the Graduate Theological Union. Admission
Course work Forty-two units of course work (14 full courses) are required. An additional six units of credit, the equivalent of two courses, are given for writing the thesis. Three courses must be taken in the area of Scripture, two in historical theology, and four in systematic theology (normally two in dogmatic and two in moral theology). The remaining five courses may be taken from any area. At least four of the total courses must relate to the student's area of specialization. Students must take at least one-third of their total course work from DSPT and are encouraged to take one-third from outside of 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, and students are encouraged to take courses from the advanced (4000) level.
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. . Foreign students whose native language is not English may fulfill the language requirement by passing the ETS/TOEFL examination. For test information contact: www.toefl.org
Thesis Promotion to the degree of Master of Arts requires a written thesis on a subject selected by the student and approved by the DSPT Theology Department. This thesis must show that the student is capable of investigating some theological problem, of doing scholarly research with the use of appropriate source material and current discussions, and of presenting findings in a clear, forceful manner. The student must present a proposal for the thesis in the prescribed format to the Theology Department for approval by the end of the third semester in the program. The student 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 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.
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; theses deemed outstanding in scholarly sophistication, creativity, and clarity of expression by all three examiners will be passed "with honors."
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