Best Theology and Theological Studies Masters Programs in Ohio

Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.)Master of Arts in Christian Doctrine (M.A.C.D.).

The Theology offers graduate programs aimed at providing students an integrated approach to theology emphasizing the scriptural, historical, systematic, and ethical approaches to study in the Catholic and Christian religious traditions. We aim to develop scholars capable of making significant contributions to theological research and teaching a broad range of subjects in theology and religion. Our programs have prepared graduates to secure teaching positions in over 200 colleges, universities, and other educational institutions as well as for vocations in pastoral ministry and other service-oriented and non-profit organizations.

The Master of Arts in Christian Doctrine (M.A.C.D.) program focuses on ecumenical appropriation and communication of Christian doctrine for students teaching or aspiring to teach in Catholic high schools, those interested in contributing to other avenues of religious education or formation, those interested in serving other pastoral needs in their religious communities, and those seeking personal theological enrichment.

Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies (Ph.D.) applicants should possess a master degree or equivalent graduate degree in theology, religious studies, or another field appropriate to their academic interests.

Applicants to all of the department graduate programs must submit their applications to the Graduate School using its online application management system.

Results of the Graduate Record Examination (General Test only).

Applicants with language study experience should indicate formal graduate-level language course work reflected in their transcripts and or private language study, along with estimations of present abilities reading, writing, and speaking the language or languages studied.

Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions, with certified English translations if their original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School. Failure to submit those transcripts within the first five weeks of the student term of enrollment may result in a registration hold barring the student from registering for future academic terms.

Students must complete 30 credit hours of course work, pass a comprehensive examination and submit an approved final project. Students choosing the Judaism and Christianity in antiquity, historical theology, and systematic theology theological ethics specializations must demonstrate proficiency in a modern language other than English. The following program description summarizes those requirements. Additional information may be found in the Theology Policies and Procedures.

For the following three specializations, students may pursue either of two academic plans: Plan A or Plan B. Students are assumed to opt for Plan B unless expressly approved by the department Graduate Committee to pursue Plan A instead.

Students choosing the theology and society specialization must be affiliated with the Trinity Fellows program and must opt for academic Plan B. Up to 6 credit hours of non-theology course work completed in conjunction with the Trinity Fellows program may be applied to the student elective course work requirement.

Master of Arts in Christian Doctrine (M.A.C.D.) Requirements.

Students must complete 30 credit hours of course work and produce a comprehensive paper. The following program description summarizes those requirements. Additional information may be found in the Theology Policies and Procedures.

The following program description summarizes those requirements. Additional information may be found in the Theology Policies and Procedures.

Students choosing the theology and society specialization must complete at least 30 credit hours of course work in one of the Theology principal areas of specialization, at least 9 credit hours of course work in each of the department other two principal areas of specialization, and 12 credit hours of graduate course work in one or disciplines pertaining to their specific research agenda (e.g., economics, education, history, philosophy, political science or psychology).

Students choosing the health care mission and ethics option must complete at least 30 credit hours of course work in one of the Theology principal areas of specialization, at least 9 credit hours in each of the department other two principal areas of specialization, and 12 credit hours of graduate course work pertaining to healthcare. (e.g., NURS 6007 Ethics, Policy and Health Care Advocacy, NURS 6009 Organizational and Systems Leadership, HEAL 6841 Health Care Finance, HEAL 6846 Health Care Informatics, HEAL 6848 Health Care Policy, LAW 7156 Current Issues in Health Law, LAW 7181 Elder Law, LAW 7221 Health Law).

Students choosing the interdisciplinary specialization may be required to take additional course work beyond the program 60-credit-hour minimum to certify their qualifications in both theology and the allied disciplines of their choosing.

Once students has fulfill all of the language requirements and no earlier than their final term completing course work, they are eligible to take the doctoral qualifying examination. The examination has two stages, namely the written examination and the oral examination. The written examination is in four parts, each three hours in duration, and is administered in two sessions, typically on consecutive days. Students complete two of the examination parts during each session. The oral examination is administered following the administration of the written examination in a single session lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Each committee member examines the students on a topic or topics corresponding with their area of academic expertise. Students must earn the satisfactory evaluation of each of the five committee members to pass the examination. Students advances to doctoral candidacy once they pass the doctoral qualifying examination, completes their course work requirements, and fulfills all of their language requirements.

Upon advancing to doctoral candidacy, students must complete 12 credit hours of dissertation research. All dissertation credit hours must be completed before students schedule their dissertation defense.

Following the successful defense of the dissertation, students may be given a fixed amount of time to revise their work in light of the board feedback. Students submit the final edition of the dissertation to the Graduate School in advance of their graduation.

Introduction to the history, literature, and religion of ancient Israel. History and methods of interpretation. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons.

Background, geography, text, language, versions, editions. Principal problems in individual books. Exegetical techniques. Hermeneutical principles. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons.

Formation, structure, and styles of the four canonical Gospels. Topics to be studied include: their sources, literary relationships, depictions of Jesus, role of the Church, discipleship, and suffering. Each Gospel will be studied in terms of the communities that produced them and their relationship to other texts. Exegesis of selected texts. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student.

A brief introduction to historiography and historical method with a focused introduction to major theological issues and debates (e.g., scripture and tradition trinity Christology grace and sacraments faith and reason church and state) and to some of the key contributions of major eastern and western theologians (e.g., Origen, Augustine, Pseudo-Dionysius, John of Damascus, Anselm, Abelard, Gregory Palamas, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Scotus). Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD stduent or cons. ch. required for all master candidates.

A basic introduction to theological developments from 1350 to the end of the Enlightenment (1800). Examines major theological movements and the thought of major thinkers (e.g., Ockham, Biel, Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Bellarmine, Bossuet, Pascal, Spener, Edwards, Lessing, Kant) within their social, historical, and philosophical contexts. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons. ch. required for all master candidates.

Relation of systematic theology to faith, revelation (the Bible, Church creeds and doctrines), and the Church. The role of biblical exegesis, historical scholarship, philosophy, natural and human sciences in systematic theology. Derivation of various categories, subdivisions, and methods of systematic theology. The challenges and prospects of interconfessional and interreligious dialogue for systematic theology. Prere THEO-MA student or cons.

Explores the theological foundations of and key concepts, texts and figures in the field of Christian spirituality. Focuses on the relationship between theory and practice in historical and contemporary contexts. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons.

Systematic survey of the fundamental categories, concepts and norms used in moral theology to analyze human moral experience. The role of Scripture and tradition as foundational sources in moral theology. The church as the locus for Christian moral reflection. Pivotal issues in the historical development of moral theology. The relation of moral philosophy to moral theology. Required for master core curriculum. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons.

Explores the following principles of Catholic Social teaching: the dignity of persons in community and the common good the duties of the state and the principle of subsidiarity kinds of justice and their application in social, political and economic life the relationship between labor and capital Church-state relationships war and peace and environmental stewardship. The issues are traced through the documents of Vatican II and selected Apostolic Exhortations. Prere THEO-MA or THEO-MACD student or cons.

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. Emphasis will be placed on grammar, verb syntax, and vocabulary acquisition. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Reading of selected narrative and poetic books. Advanced grammar. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Includes biblical Aramaic and Qumran Aramaic. Emphasis on providing the student with the tools to use these dialects in other biblical courses. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Detailed study of the first five books of the Old Testament. Exegesis of selected passages. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Key themes in the prophetic movement. Relation of the prophets to the cult, society, and history of ancient Israel. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

A study of the literary, theological, and historical dimensions of the book of Psalms. Relationship between the psalms and cultic life. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. The structure, sources, narrative technique, and theology of the Deuteronomistic corpus. Hebrew text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of the place of Wisdom Literature in the development of Hebrew thought. Exegesis of selected passages. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of the books of the Old Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha. Other developments of the period. Exegesis of selected passages. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Jewish history, institutions, movements, and writings of this period, including Qumran, as they pertain to biblical studies. Jewish interpretation of scripture midrash haggadah and halakah targums Hellenistic influences on Judaism in Palestine and the diaspora other related topics. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

An investigation into some of the other books of the Hebrew Bible beyond Torah and Prophets. May include literary, theological, and historical elements of The Five Scrolls, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, I and II Chronicles. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Specialized research on topics or problems within and or related to the Old Testament writings. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

An introduction to the Greek of the Hellenistic era, including the New Testament. Emphasis on grammar, syntax, vocabulary acquisition and historical context and theology. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Advanced grammar readings in texts from 300 B.C. to 300 A.D. Emphasis on the language of the New Testament as reflective of continuity and change in Greek vocabulary, morphology, syntax, style, and the historical context and theology of these texts. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of traditional religion, mystery cults, philosophical schools, astrology and magic, literary genres and tendencies, and other related topics. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Origin and development of prophetic and apocalyptic eschatology. The social and religious phenomenon of apocalypticism. The genre apocalypse in Jewish and early Christian tradition. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Literary interrelationship of the four Gospels. Theories of Gospel priority and dependence. Development of oral and written traditions. Distinctive character of the Gospel form. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Formation, structure, and style of the Gospel of Matthew. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Formation, structure, and style of the Gospel of Mark. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Formation, structure, and style of Luke-Acts. Questions of Christian origins. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Formation, structure, and style of the Gospel of John. Source, redaction, and literary analysis to reconstruct the stages of formation and their corresponding theologies. Relation of the Johannine letters to the Gospel. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Background and purpose of this letter. Examination of important Pauline themes, issues, and methods of argumentation. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of I and or II Corinthians in the context of Paul pastoral relationship to Corinth. Integrity, background and purpose of the letters. Examination of important themes, issues, and methods of argumentation. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of one or of the following letters: Galatians, Philippians, I and II Thessalonians, and Philemon. Background and purpose of these writings. Examination of important Pauline themes, issues, and methods of argumentation. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Authorship, milieu, and purpose of these letters. Their relationship to one another and to other Pauline traditions. Review of critical issues and examination of theological themes and methods of argumentation. Exegesis of selected passages. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Study of one or of the following New Testament texts: I and II Timothy Titus Hebrews James I and II Peter I, II, and III John Jude and Revelation 1-3. Background, purpose, and theology of these writings. Exegesis of key passages. Relationship of these works to selected non-canonical writings. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Specialized research on topics or problems within and or related to the New Testament writings. Greek text used. Prere REST-PhD student or THEO 6120 and cons.

The interpretation of the history of the Church and of doctrine as seen by ecclesiastical historians from Eusebius to Harnack their characteristic approaches and concerns. Recent trends in historiography and historical theology. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

A study of the development of Christian beliefs and doctrines in the patristic age. The following themes are treated: the authority of Scripture and tradition Father, Word, Spirit, and the divine Triad the person of Jesus the Christ sin, redemption and grace the Church and the sacraments. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Survey of Greek theology from Nicea (325 A.D.) to the fall of Constantinople (1453). Particular attention to the most important writers following the Council of Chalcedon, beginning with Dionysius Areopagita and concluding with Gregory Palamas and Nicholas Cabasilas. Focus on the abiding Greek preoccupation with salvation as deification and its contribution to the continuity of Eastern Christian thought. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

A study of the development of Christian theology from Augustine to Thomas Aquinas. Includes the following themes: the character and method of theology after Augustine monastic theology the early Eucharistic controversies reason, logic, and the origins of Scholasticism 12th century humanism and theology Scholasticism and Thomism. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Theological pluralism of the 13th-15th centuries. Thomism and nominalism, mysticism and humanism, conciliarism, Augustinianism. Reform, questions of authority, faith, catholicity. Sixteenth century responses. Luther to Calvin, Muenster to Menno Simons, early Roman Catholic polemical theology to Trent. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

A study of major developments in Christian life and thought in the 17th-19th centuries in Europe, with a focus on intellectual history. Jansenism and Cartesianism the impact of Enlightenment thought. The Romantic revivals of theology in Schleiermacher and the Tubingen Schools. German Idealism and its debacle. Biblical criticism. Varieties of 19th century options in theology. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

An analysis of developments in American theology from Puritanism to the present. Examines representative theologians of Puritanism, revivalism, enlightenment, progressive orthodoxy, social gospel, modernism, Americanism, and neo-orthodoxy within the context of American political and social movements. Themes considered: the church, grace, religious liberty, church and state, voluntaryism, person of Jesus, tradition, adaptation. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

A study of the Christian writings of the 2nd century, especially Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, the Greek apologists, and Irenaeus, with particular attention to their relation to the Old and New Testaments, the doctrine of the Logos, Church order, and the emerging understanding of orthodoxy and heresy. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Against the background of Clement attempt to incorporate Greek modes of thought into Christianity, an extensive study of Origen as a biblical commentator and the first systematic theologian, with some consideration of the neoplatonic tradition in Christianity, Origen influence on later theology, and the Origenist controversies. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Reading and study of some of the writings of Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa and others, with attention given to the Trinitarian controversies of the 4th century, the councils of Nicea and Constantinople, and the rise and fall of Arianism. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

The Septuagint as the first Christian Bible authority for religious truth in the Apostolic Fathers and the Apologists evidence for the liturgical use of Christian writings the apocryphal New Testament the canon of four gospels the collection of the Apostles' letters lists of canonical books the beginnings of exegesis modern theological speculation on the canon. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

An intensive study of Augustine life, writings and thought. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Proposes a reading of the classical canon of early monastic literature. Beginning with a few sessions devoted to sources, the course moves to the early Syrians, notably Aphrahat of Persia and Ephrem Syrus, and then to the better-known and enormously influential Vita Antonii, the several Vitae of Pachomius, the History of the Monks of Egypt, Basil the Great Longer and Shorter Rules, Gregory of Nyssa, Evagrius of Pontus, the Macarian Homilies, such early 5th century works as Palladius of Hieropolis' Lausiac History, John Casian Institutes and Conferences, Theodoret of Cyrrhus' Historia religosa, and the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Concludes with an examination of Benedict of Nursia Life (by Gregory the Great) and Rule. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Survey of theology in monasteries and cathedral schools, from the Gregorian Reform to Alan of Lille, including e.g., Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Bernard of Clairvaux, the Victorines, Peter Lombard. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

The critical reading of the texts of Aquinas in developmental sequence with emphasis on the character of the Summa theologiae. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Readings and study of both the academic and the mystical writings of Bonaventure, with special emphasis on the Breviloquium. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Revival of Augustinian thought. Wyclif, Hus to Bradwardine. Via Gregorii. Commentaries on St. Augustine. Anti-Pelagianism and Donatism. Mediation of Augustinian thought to subsequent periods. Prere REST-PhD student or cons.

Hermeneutical developments from the Victorines. Sources and methods for interpreting historical exegesis. Humanist work on Scripture. The place of the Bible in theology. Luther as doctor of Scripture. Trent and Bible study.

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The Roger Brown Residency in Social Justice, Writing and Sport.

Come to the University of Dayton for top-quality, up-to-date, broad ranging theological education in biblical, historical, systematic, moral and pastoral theology.

For those interested in doctoral work in theology.

As theological preparation for teaching religion in a Catholic high school.

For ministers who seek further background in theology to minister effectively.

Compare our cost with other quality programs and see how affordable we are. Explore our graduate assistantships that provide full tuition, a stipend and professional experience and mentoring.We also have scholarships available.

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is availableas a residential programor completely online.

Students enrolled in our Master of Arts programs are eligible for three scholarship opportunities.

Residential students enrolled in our Master of Arts programs are eligible for an assistantship in the Religious Studies or Campus Ministry.

Our certificate programs strengthen your professional formation with coursework in a particular area of concentration.

Applicants to the pastoral ministry and theological studies programs should submit the following information in addition to the online application:.

A personal statement explaining the applicant desire to study theology pastoral ministry at the University of Dayton.

Results from the GRE are not required for applicants to the M.A. programs.

Those with limited or no academic background in theology may be admitted on a conditional basis.

Assistantship opportunities are available for students in the theological studies program.

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The M.A. in Theology Religious Studies provides the flexibility to focus on your interests and professional goals. An optional thesis provides excellent preparation for doctoral studies.

In addition, the M.A. program offers concentrations in Chaplaincy, Theological Education, and Pastoral Ministry.

All graduate programs are available both IN PERSON and FULLY ONLINE.

CONCENTRATE in Theological Education, Pastoral Ministry, Chaplaincy, or Interreligious Studies.

The Theology Religious Studies tuition rate reflects John Carroll commitment to supporting individuals called to serve within the church of Cleveland and beyond.

Pastoral Ministry Earn the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry along the way to the M.A. Fulfills the academic requirements needed to become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the Diocese of Cleveland.

Theological Education Earn the Certificate in Theological Education along the way to the M.A. Fulfills the academic requirements for high school religion certification in the Diocese of Cleveland.

Applicants to the M.A. Degree Program should submit:.

Written statement indicating personal interests, goals, and expectations from the degree program.

The Master of Arts in Theology Religious Studies is a 30-hour degree typically completed through 10 semester-long courses. Several concentrations allows students to choose the pathway that best matches their goals.

All M.A. Students take one course in each of four required areas:.

The Chaplaincy Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. and the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. As part of this track, students earn 6 of the 30 graduate credits by completing 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spiritual Care. Three additional CPE Units are necessary to become a Board Certified Health Care Chaplain.

The Theological Education Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. and the Certificate in Theological Education, satisfying the academic requirements for high school religion certification in the Diocese of Cleveland.

The Pastoral Ministry Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. and the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, satisfying the intellectual formation requirements needed to become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the Diocese of Cleveland.

One Elective in Pastoral Theology or Interreligious Studies.

One of the electives may be a course in Canon Law taught at St. Mary School of Theology, which is require for diocesan certification.

All John Carroll TRS courses are offered in hyflex format, giving students the opportunity to choose each week whether to come to campus or to Zoom into class discussion. There is no residency requirement the entire program can be completed remotely. This is not your typical online program. Synchronous-only online classes reflect our commitment to education as an ongoing conversation.

Students benefit from the programs and initiatives made possible by four major endowments within the Theology Religious Studies:.

Our Jesuit, Catholic Mission inspires programs that serve the Catholic community of Cleveland and beyond.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all see Abraham as in some way their founder or ancestor. Course engages in close readings of Genesis 12-25, which tell the story of this Patriarch, to understand how Abraham was understood in Ancient Israel. Examines texts from rabbinic literature, the New Testament, and the Qur'an to explore the ways in which three later traditions map onto Abraham their own visions of what it means to be a religious person.

An introduction to pedagogy for theological educators. Topics include the nature and goals of theological education, the vocation of the theology teacher, the sociological research relevant to religious education, the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults, diversity in the classroom, and concrete pedagogical strategies. Special attention given to practical implementation of the learning goals of the U.S. Catholic Bishops High School Curriculum Framework.

Theology Religious Studies Alumni Across the Region.

The MA program provides students with a solid, graduate-level foundation in Catholic theology that will enable them to serve effectively in a variety of fields of ministry, or to pursue further gradu­ate studies in theology.

Gaining admission to the MA Theology program is simple, and we are ready to help you navigate the process. Here are the things we need:.

Official Bachelor Transcript and Official Transcripts with Relevant Transfer Credit (Your bachelors degree should be in either Theology or Philosophy).

Graduate Admissions 1235 University Blvd. Steubenville, Ohio 43952.

The costs associated with the MA in Theology program include:.

MA in Theology Online $525 per credit hour x 36 hours $18,900.

MA in Theology On Campus $700 per credit hour.

Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry.

There are a variety of reasons to pursue the Master of Theological Studies degree. You might be preparing for doctoral study, or you might want to develop theological perspectives relevant to your current vocation.

The 39-credit-hour MTS program, designed to be completed in two years, provides a broad foundation in the basic theological disciplines: Bible, Church History, Theology and Ethics. You will choose one area of concentration, achieving sufficient depth to read, discuss, research and write its literature with understanding. The available concentrations are Bible, Ethics, History and Theology.

Students who take 9 credit hours each semester and at least 3 credit hours for one intensive term each year typically complete this degree within two years.

MTSO offers courses both in person and online. While some courses are available exclusively online or exclusively in person, the vast majority are available in both modes, employing HyFlex education.

MTSO offers the opportunity to pursue two master degrees at once. Here are the specific requirements.