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.
THE 517/CAT 517 The Church's Vision for 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 613 | The Church from Christ to the Council of Trent | 3 |
| THE 614 | The Church from Trent to the Third Millenium | 3 |
| THE 618 | Fundamental Theology | 3 |
| THE 619 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 3 |
| THE 616 | Advanced Moral Theology | 3 |
THE
| Historical Elective | 3 |
THE
| Moral Theology Elective | 3 |
THE
| New Testament Elective | 3 |
THE
| Old Testament Elective | 3 |
THE
| Systematic Elective | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
Area electives include the following:
Historical-- THE 722 Father and Doctors of the Church: [any title], THE 724 Theology of the Body, THE 730 Grace and the Virtues, THE 731 Christology, THE 733 Tradition and the Dev. of Doctrine, THE 755 Mariology II
Moral-- THE 660 Pastoral Issues: Lectio Divina, THE 700 Contemporary Moral Problems: [any title], THE 721 Christian Spirituality, THE 724 Theology of the Body, THE 725 TOB and Cont. Mor. Issues, THE 730 Grace and the Virtues, THE 756 Mariology III
New Testament-- THE 660 Pastoral Issues: Biblical Spirituality. THE 711 New Testament Writings: [any title], THE 726 TOB in Scripture, THE 744 Synoptics and Acts, THE 745 Johannine Literature, THE 746 St. Paul and the Catholic Epistles, THE 643 Scripture the Heart of Catechesis
Old Testament-- THE 660 Pastoral Issues: Biblical Spirituality, THE 710 Old Testament Writings: [any title], THE 726 TOB in Scripture, THE 742 Former and Latter Prophets, THE 743 Wisdom Literature, THE 643 Scripture the Heart of Catechesis
Systematic-- THE 655 Mariology I, THE 671 Canon Law, THE 722 Father and Doctors of the Church: [any title], THE 730 Grace and the Virtues, THE 731 Christology, THE 732 Sacraments, THE 733 Tradition and the Dev. of Doctrine, THE 740 Theological Issues [any title], THE 750 Christian Liturgy, CAT 602 Deposit of Faith
Additional Requirements
Prerequisites for area electives include the following:
Moral Elective Prerequisites: THE 615 or THE 616
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: all background courses or THE 600, THE 606, THE 607, THE 608
MATS 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, this course will not count toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. The student must achieve a B- or better in all required (that is non-elective) graduate courses; otherwise that particular required graduate course must be repeated and a grade of B- be achieved. For elective graduate courses in the MATS 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 of at least a B-) to fulfill the degree requirement of 36 total credit hours.
The final curriculum requirement for the MATS is a comprehensive examination, which each student will take at the end of the program after completion of 12 courses (36 credit hours). The examination will test the overall comprehension of the content of the specific courses each student has taken in the program and the student’s ability to apply this knowledge creatively to various areas of Christian ministry and scholarship. The comprehensive examination is a proctored, online exam administered several times each year. Successful completion of 36 credit hours (12 courses), and the comprehensive examination are required for graduation. For all on-ground MATS students, the minimum time required for residency at the University is one full academic year. It is possible to complete the degree by attending six summer sessions. However, in order to ensure continuity in the student’s education, students, whether online or on-ground must complete the degree within ten years from the beginning of course work. If a student transfers from on-campus to online or vice-versa, the time limit is reckoned from the date of original matriculation, not the date of transfer.
Catechetics Specialization
The Theology Department of Franciscan University of Steubenville offers a specialization in Catechetics that leads to certification within its MATS program. This specialization provides professional catechetical training for those “who, imbued with an apostolic spirit, make an outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and the Church by their great work” (Ad Gentes Divinitus, No. 17). This is available only for students in the on-ground program.
The mission of Franciscan University is to prepare young men and women for leadership in our society and in the Church. In accord with that mission the Theology Department offers this specialization to train professional Catechetical leaders who will join the Church's apostolate in diocesan offices, parishes, and schools across the country. Future Catholic high school teachers, RCIA directors, coordinators or directors of religious education, directors of youth ministry, pastoral ministers, family ministers, and sacramental preparation specialists will find this program invaluable.
The catechetics specialization rounds out an MATS degree by providing practical knowledge and experience. St. Francis heard the call, “Go, and rebuild my Church.” This specialization will help anyone who hears and wants to respond to the same call.
Required Catechetics Courses
To complete the specialization in Catechetics along with the MATS, students must accumulate 48 graduate credit hours. In addition to the undergraduate background course in Catechetics (THE/CAT 517), the specialization in Catechetics requires six 3-credit catechetics courses.
Students will take five required catechetics courses and one catechetics elective.
THE 641 and THE 643: These may be elected by non-catechetical specialization students.
Catechetics Electives
The specialization is completed with one of the following seven courses (each course is three credit hours):
THE 693 and THE 804 may be elected by non-catechetical specialization students.
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):
Catechetics Concentration
Historical Theology Concentration
| THE 722 | Fathers and Doctors of the Church | 3 |
| THE 733 | Tradition and the Development of Doctrine | 3 |
Note: THE 722 may be taken with different topics multiple times.
Mariology Concentration
| THE 655 | Mariology I: Dogma, Doctrine and Devotion | 3 |
| THE 755 | Mariology II: Patristic, Medieval, and Conciliar Sources | 3 |
| THE 756 | Mariology III: Spirituality and Mysticism | 3 |
Moral Theology Concentration
Note: THE 700 may be taken multiple times
Sacred Scripture Concentration
Note: THE 710 and THE 711 may be taken with different topics multiple times.
Systematic Theology Concentration
Note: THE 740 may be taken with different topics multiple times.
Theology of the Body Concentration
| THE 724 | Theology of the Body | 3 |
| THE 725 | Theology of the Body and Contemporary Moral Issues | 3 |
| THE 726 | Theology of the Body in Scripture | 3 |
Note: Not all concentrations may be available in the online program.