The Master of Arts in Theology provides students with a critical understanding of the Christian theological tradition, especially from a Roman Catholic perspective. The program engages students in serious reflection on the broad range of theological studies and methods (biblical, comparative, historical, liturgical, and systematic theology, as well as ethics, spirituality, faith and culture, ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue). The goal of the program is to provide a general and integrated exploration of these areas for students seeking to teach on a secondary level, for students preparing for graduate education, and for students with a strong interest in theology beyond the undergraduate level.

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology  engages the student in critical  theological reflection on ministerial practice as preparation for active ministry in a pluralistic society. The program provides theological foundations in pastoral theology, especially in the Roman Catholic tradition, and integrates the formation of persons preparing for pastoral ministry with their study of the Christian theological tradition (spirituality, liturgy, faith and culture, ethics, as well as biblical, historical, and systematic theology, and ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue). Throughout the program there is a stress on the holistic relationships between pastoral theology, faith seeking critical understanding, and faith that does justice.

Students will know the basic contours of:

        • Biblical Theology

        • Systematic Theology

        • Theological Ethics

        • Historical Theology

        • Comparative Theology

        • Theological Method

Students will be able to:

        • Perform biblical exegesis with attention to historical contexts, the history of interpretation, and contemporary 
        theological developments

        • Engage in critical theological reflection on major systematic themes

        • Demonstrate a clear grasp of significant developments in the history of the church

        • Describe the work of seminal thinkers in the history of Christian ethics and analyze contemporary moral problems

        • Demonstrate familiarity with other (non- Christian) religious traditions

        • Recognize and employ various theological methods

Students will value:

        • Critical fidelity within the Roman Catholic tradition

        • Ecumenical and inter-faith dialogue

        • Creative tension between theological unity and diversity

Students will know the basic contours of:

        • Pastoral Theology

        • Critical approaches to Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology

        • Either Theological Ethics or Historical Theology

        • Theological Method

Students will be able to:

        • Assess pastoral situations from a critical stance

        • Reflect on ministerial practice in a pluralistic society

        • Engage in biblical exegesis with attention both to historical contexts and contemporary pastoral contexts

        • Reflect critically on the praxis of faith, particularly within the Roman Catholic context

        • Discuss the main contours of either church history or of theological ethics, especially as they relate to ministerial
        practice

        • Integrate theological vision, critical understanding, and a faith attentive to justice

Students will value:

        • The significance of ecclesial community for pastoral practice

        • An integrated formation of the person for pastoral ministry

        • A pluralistic approach to pastoral ministry