MA Theology Accelerated Program
The Graduate Theology Department of Franciscan University of Steubenville offers an accelerated program toward completion of the MA in Theology and Christian Ministry. The student must be accepted into the accelerated program by applying through the Admissions Office. Any Franciscan University undergraduate theology or catechetics major qualifies to apply in the semester before he or she will have met the following requirements: an overall 3.0 QPA in at least 90 credit hours; a 3.0 QPA in theology courses (or theology and catechetics courses, if a catechetics major); completion of 18 credits of theology courses; and, if a CAT major, completion of CAT 120, CAT 204, CAT 301 and CAT 302. Once accepted, the student may take a maximum of two graduate courses in theology in the on-campus program at a rate of no more than one per semester. These graduate theology courses fulfill the elective course requirements for the undergraduate major in theology or catechetics (depending on the courses taken), but are also counted toward the MA in Theology and Christian Ministry at Franciscan University. All graduate theology courses qualify (except THE 641, THE 691, THE 692, THE 694, and THE 780), though students are advised to take foundation courses (THE 601, THE 602, THE 603 THE 604, or THE 605). Automatic acceptance into the Graduate Theology Program would follow if the student achieves at least a “B” (3.0) in each graduate course and has maintained at least a 3.0 QPA overall, as well as in theology courses (and catechetics, if a catechetics major). If the student elects to postpone entrance into the MA in Theology and Christian Ministry, he or she has up to four years before needing to reapply for admission to the MA Theology program. Only upon completion of the undergraduate degree is a student allowed to proceed to the graduate level theology courses beyond 6 credits.