Program Requirements for Degree Completion

Background Courses

The MATS presumes undergraduate background in theology and philosophy.  Students who do not have this background may either pursue the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry or complete the following undergraduate background courses:

PHL 503/PHL 113 Philosophy of the Human Person

PHL 511/PHL 211 Metaphysics

THE 511/THE 211 Principles of Biblical Study I

THE 512/THE 212 Principles of Biblical Study II

THE 513/THE 213 Theology of Christ

THE 514/THE 214 Theology of the Church

THE 515/THE 115 Christian Moral Principles

THE 516/THE 314  The Sacraments

In the case of a student who has some but not all of the background courses, the Director of Graduate Theology will determine which background courses must be taken.  Students must complete the background courses before they can take graduate courses, unless the required background credit hours do not equal a full load (15 credits), in which case the student may take background courses and graduate courses in the same semester.  For full-time students, background courses must be completed within the first two semesters of course work.

CAT 517 Catechetics will be required for MATS students who pursue the Catechetics specialization.  And the following undergraduate courses in Catechetics on the Catechetics Specialization itself will be required for students who complete a Concentration in Catechetics:

CAT 120  Introduction to Catechetics

CAT 204 Catechetics

CAT 301  Content and Curriculum

CAT 401  Catechetical Methods I

CAT 402 Catechetical Methods II

CAT 405  Catechetical Ministries Today

Students who have the full array of background courses (or equivalent) will not be permitted to take THE 600 Philosophy for Theology, THE 606 Dogmatic Theology I, THE 607 Dogmatic Theology II, THE 608 Dogmatic Theology III, THE 611 Interpreting the Old Testament, THE 612 Interpreting the New Testament, and THE 615 Moral Theology.

General Requirements

In order to provide a formation that deepens master in the major areas of sacred theology, we require the following courses of MATS students

Requirements List

THE 613Church History

3

THE 614The Church in the Modern World

3

THE 618Fundamental Theology

3

THE 619Biblical Hermeneutics

3

THE 715Advanced Moral Theology

3

In addition:  a Moral Elective (prerequisites THE 615 or THE 715); O.T. Elective (prerequisites THE 510, THE 511, or  THE 611); N.T. Elective (prerequisites THE 510, THE 512 or THE 612; Systematic Elective (prerequisites are all background courses or THE 600, THE 606, THE 607, THE 608; Historical Elective.

Concentrations

Students may complete a concentration in one particular field of theology or in catechetics. A concentration is 9 credits in a specific area of theology or in catechetics.

Students may acquire concentrations in more than one area, although the same course may not be used for different concentrations or specializations.

The following specializations are possible with the courses listed below (and others with approval of the director of student’s program):

Sacred Scripture Concentration

THE 710Old Testament Writings

3

THE 711New Testament Writings

3

Note:  THE 710 and THE 711 may be taken with  different topics multiple times.

Historical Theology Concentration

THE 722Fathers and Doctors of the Church

3

THE 733Tradition and the Development of Doctrine

3

Note:  THE 722 may be taken with different topics multiple times.

Theology of the Body Concentration

THE 724Theology of the Body

3

THE 725Theology of the Body and Contemporary Moral Issues

3

THE 726Theology of the Body in Scripture

3

Mariology Concentration

THE 655Mariology I: Dogma, Doctrine and Devotion

3

THE 755Mariology II: Patristic, Medieval, and Conciliar Sources

3

THE 756Mariology III: Spirituality and Mysticism

3

 

Moral Theology Concentration

THE 700Contemporary Moral Problems

3

THE 724Theology of the Body

3

THE 730Grace and the Virtues

3

Note:  THE 700 may be taken multiple times

Systematic Theology Concentration

THE 721Christian Spirituality

3

THE 722Fathers and Doctors of the Church

3

THE 730Grace and the Virtues

3

THE 731Christology

3

THE 732Sacraments

3

THE 733Tradition and the Development of Doctrine

3

THE 740Theological Issues

3

Note:  THE 722 may be taken with different topics multiple times.

Note: Not all concentrations may be available in the online program.