General Requirements
Theology Foundational Courses (15 credits):
Because the work of catechesis has to be done in the broader study of Catholic theology, the MA degree in Catechetics requires the same foundational courses that are a part of the MA degree in Theology and Christian Ministry:
| THE 619 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 3 |
| THE 606 | Dogmatic Theology I: Trinity, Christology, and Soteriology | 3 |
| THE 607 | Dogmatic Theology II: Church, Sacraments | 3 |
| THE 613 | Church History | 3 |
| THE 615 | Moral Theology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Catechetical Foundational Courses (15 credits):
Built upon a solid foundation of Catholic theology, the student will then study in greater detail the work of catechesis with the following foundational catechetical courses:
| CAT 600 | Evangelization and the Liturgy | 3 |
| CAT 601 | Biblical Catechetics and Evangelization | 3 |
| CAT 602 | Deposit of Faith | 3 |
| CAT 603 | The Pedagogy of God I | 3 |
| CAT 604 | The Pedagogy of God II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Electives (6 credits):
Students will need to take one of the following theology electives: THE 600 Philosophy for Theology; THE 608 Dogmatic Theology III: Christian Anthropology, Eschatology, Mariology; THE 611 Interpreting the Old Testament*; THE 612 Interpreting the New Testament*; THE 614 The Church in the Modern World, THE 617 Teachings of Vatican II; or THE 618 Fundamental Theology.
Students will need to take one of the following catechetics electives (or may take another graduate theology course): CAT 710 RCIA and the Catechumenate, CAT 720 Evangelizing Young People in the US; CAT 730 Philosophy for Catechetics; CAT 742 Analyzing Doctrine; or CAT 750 The Mission of Catholic Schools.
*Note: Taking both THE 611 and THE 612 fulfills the THE 619 Biblical Hermeneutics requirement
Comprehensive Examination:
The final curriculum requirement for the MA degree in Catechetics and Evangelization is a comprehensive examination. Students are encouraged to take the exam during or immediately after the academic term in which they complete their Master of Arts course work. The comprehensive exam may not be taken before the final semester of course work for a student's first course of study in the Master of Arts program. The examination will test the overall comprehension of the content of the graduate courses each student has taken in the program at Franciscan University of Steubenville and the student’s ability to apply this knowledge creatively to various areas of Christian ministry and scholarship. The comprehensive exam is to be taken via Blackboard with either an electronic proctoring service or an approved remote proctor.
Minimum Grade Requirements:
Students must maintain a B average or above (3.0 QPA) to continue in the program. If a student receives a C+ or below in a graduate course, that course will not count toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. The student must achieve a B- or better for all of the foundation courses (THE 619, THE 606, THE 607, THE 613, and THE 615, and CAT 600, CAT 601, CAT 602, CAT 603 and CAT 604) or else that particular foundation course must be repeated and a grade of B- be achieved. For all other graduate courses in the MA in Catechetics program the student may elect not to repeat a course that falls below the required standard (at least a B-). If the course is repeated and a higher grade is attained, this grade will replace the previous grade on the student’s transcript. If the course is not repeated, the grade for the course will be calculated as part of the student’s cumulative QPA and another course must be taken (with a grade above C+) to fulfill the degree requirement of 36 credits.
Successful completion of 36 credit hours and the comprehensive examination are required for graduation. In order to ensure continuity in the student’s education, the degree must be completed within seven years from the beginning of course work.