Home | Contact Us | Calendar | Archdiocese of Detroit | Site Map | Jobs | Search 
bookmark www.SHMS.edu
Pathways
About Us
Events
News
Institute for Ministry
Library
New Evangelization
Admissions
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Degree
Permanent Diaconate
Graduate Diploma
Graduate Degree
MA in Pastoral Studies
Master of Divinity
MA in Theology
Graduate Prerequisite
Undergraduate Diploma
Licentiate in Sacred Theology
Registration
Courses
Financial Aid
Vocations
Formation
Student Life
Alumni
Faculty
Giving to Sacred Heart
Tuition & Fees
Academic Calendar
Merchandise
Search
Archdiocese of Detroit
 
Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) Program
 
Goals
  1. To understand and integrate the theological disciplines within the Roman Catholic Faith and Tradition.
    Student Learning Outcomes:
    1. To demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Catholic theology, both in its tradition and in its contemporary perspectives.
    2. To display an ability to evaluate critically theological issues.
    3. To demonstrate an ability to reflection human experience within the context of Christian faith.
  2. To communicate how the Catholic faith, and tradition and theology illuminate the meaning and purpose of human experience.
    1. To demonstrate both orally and in writing the ability to communicate effectively the Catholic faith and tradition in relation to human experience.
    2. To apply the world view and value system of Catholic theology to the pertinent issues of our time, for example, ecumenical, global, multicultural, scientific and economic issues.
 
Course of Study (40 credit hours)
The Theological Core | Concentration | Thesis

The Theological Core (20 credit hours)

ST 500

Theological Methodology

2 cr

SS 521

Method and Pentateuch

3 cr

SS 525

Synoptics

3 cr

ST 5351

Human Person and Grace

2 cr

ST 6351

Nature and Mission of the Church

2 cr

ST 650

Trinitarian and Christological Foundations of the Christian Faith

3 cr

MT 675

Foundations of Christian Moral Life

3 cr

LS/ST 575

The Sacramental Life of the Church

2 cr


Concentration (16 credit hours)
The student may choose from one of four concentration options, listed below.
Interdisciplinary Studies | Biblical Studies | Spirituality | New Evangelization
     I. Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration:
In consultation with one's advisor, a student may combine any two of the following disciplines, eight credits from each discipline, for a total of 16 credits:

Biblical Studies
New Evangelization
Historical Studies
Moral Theology
Spirituality
Systematic Theology

Students choosing New Evangelization as one area of an interdisciplinary concentration must take:

  • Two of the following three courses, for a total of 6 credits:

STL/NE 865

Theology of the New Evangelization

3 cr

STL/NE 868

Evangelization and Spirituality

3 cr

STL/NE 872 Models of Evangelization 3 cr
  • One of the following courses, for a total of 2 credits:

SS 621

Johannine Literature

3 cr

SS 625

Pauline Literature

3 cr

EV/AT 500 Evangelization and Catechesis 2 cr
SP/EV/PM 690 Human Spiritual Adult Development 2 cr
SP/EV/PM 680 Pastoral Care Across Cultures 2 cr
EV 530 Conversation and Reconciliation 2 cr
LS/ST 645 Sacraments of Initiation 2 cr
ST 501 Theology of Mission and Ministry 2 cr

Students may also take the remaining course from the above list (STL/NE 865, 868 or 872) to fulfill one of the two required courses.

Students choosing Biblical Studies as one area of an interdisciplinary concentration must take SS 625: Pauline Literature.

     II. Biblical Studies Concentration:

SS 621

Johannine Literature**

3 cr

SS 625

Pauline Literature**

3 cr

Scripture Elective 2 cr
Biblical Languages* 8 cr

*A student may choose one of the following language requirement options:

  • Two years Hebrew language
  • Two years Greek language
  • One year Hebrew and one year Greek

** Exceptions will be allowed for those who concentrate in Hebrew and Old Testament studies.

     III. Spirituality Concentration:

SP/ST 735

History of Spirituality 3 cr

SP 751

Theology of Christian Prayer 2 cr
Spirituality electives 9 cr
Free elective 2 cr

     IV. New Evangelization Concentration:
STL/NE 865 Theology of the New Evangelization 3 cr
STL/NE 868 Evangelization and Spirituality 2 cr
STL/NE 872 Models of Evangelization 3 cr
STL/NE 876 Evangelization Practicum I 2 cr
Electives Chosen from the following list:
SS 621 Johannine Literature 3 cr
SS 625 Pauline Literature 3 cr
EV/AT 500 Evangelization and Catechesis 2 cr
SP/EV/PM 690 Human and Spiritual Adult Development 2 cr
SP/EV/PM 680 Pastoral Care Across Cultures 2 cr
EV 530 Conversion and Reconciliation 2 cr
LS/ST 645 Sacraments of Initiation 2 cr
ST 501 Theology of Mission and Ministry 2 cr


Thesis (4 credit hours)
IS 899 M.A. Thesis 4 cr

The thesis demonstrates research ability and a contribution to the fi eld; it is presented orally before a board of at least two professors. Thesis guidelines are available from the dean of studies' office. Students are advised to obtain thesis guidelines and to discuss thesis plans with their academic advisors early in their program of study.

IS 8991 is provided for the student who does not complete the thesis during the semester for which she/he is signed up for IS 899. The course is required for each semester that a student wishes to use the library for thesis research or to have contact with the thesis director until the thesis is completed.


Program Requirements

  1. A minimum of 40 credit hours must be earned through completion of the course of study.
  2. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 is required.
  3. A maximum of thirteen hours may be applied to the degree from other institutions or from other credit earning options.
  4. The program must be completed in six years from time of matriculation.
  5. Reading ability in Latin must be shown during the fi rst year of the program, and reading ability in a modern language pertinent to the student's course of studies must be done before completion of half of the degree program (20 credits).

The MA/MAPS admissions committee determines whether the student needs to demonstrate comprehension in a given language based on an examination of previous transcripts.

Language competency can be demonstrated by the following:

  1. SHMS provides a course called Latin for Graduate Students that satisfies the Latin language requirement.
  2. Students can demonstrate competency in either Latin or a modern language through successful completion of a three credit hour undergraduate course with a pass grade of 'C' or better, or a two credit hour graduate course with a 'pass' or grade of 'C' or better. Courses must be taken for credit from an accredited institution of higher learning.
  3. Students could also study a language on their own. The student should contact the dean of studies when ready to be tested. The dean of studies will arrange with an instructor to conduct the examination. The Modern Language examination will consist of a written translation of a text of about two pages from the beginning of an article in the student's fi eld from a theological journal. The student will have one and one-half hours and may use a dictionary to translate the pages. The student will also compose a paragraph summary of the two pages to demonstrate comprehension. Judgment of pass/fail will be based primarily on comprehension.

Formation Opportunities

A specific program in formation is not required by students in the Master of Arts in Theology, which prepares the student for teaching and research. However, each student is encouraged to participate in the formation opportunities available at SHMS through the Institute for Ministry.

MA in Theology
Program
Admissions
 
Related Links
New Evangelization
Pop up windows may need to be enabled on your web browser to view all site features. Click here for help ...
To view any file in Portable Document Format (PDF) downloaded from this site, you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.