M.A. Theology, Religious Education
Introduction:
The M.A. in Theology with a specialization in Religious Education is a program sponsored by the Graduate School of Saint Louis University in cooperation with the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It is intended primarily, although not exclusively, to enhance the qualifications and increase the competency of men and women who serve the religious educational mission of the local church in St. Louis, Missouri. The program is therefore designed to serve religious educators in elementary or secondary schools, chairs of religion departments, and directors or coordinators of religious education programs in school and parish settings for children, youth, and adults.
Admission and Application:
Admission requires transcripts from all previous post-secondary education indicating at least a bachelor's degree and GRE general test scores not more than five years old. In addition to three academic letters of recommendation, the applicant is also to submit a carefully written two to three page statement indicating personal and academic goals.
Applications for admission to the M.A. programs may be accepted for all three semesters, and must be received by April 1 for the Summer Session, July 1 for the Fall Semester, and November 1 for the Spring Semester. All applicants for this program must apply through the Graduate School under the rubric of "classified" status. The application may be downloaded here.
Prerequisites:
An undergraduate major in theology (18 hours). Deficiencies may be satisfied through specific, intensive, prerequisite courses offered by the Department of Theological Studies. Applicants with an undergraduate major in the humanities (with a strong liberal arts background) may also apply, although in these cases a greater number of prerequisite courses may be required in their first year.
Course of Study (30 credit hours)
- Required Courses in three areas (15 credit hours)
Systematic Theology: 6 credit hours
Biblical Theology: TH A 500 and an additional 3 credit hours in this area
Moral Theology: 3 credit hours
- Required Specialization (12 credit hours)
TH A 580-20 Theology of Catechetical Ministry
TH A 581-20 Models and Methods for Religious Education
TH A 582-20 Administration of Religious Education Programs
TH A 583-20 Elements of Religious Education Curriculum
- Elective Course (3 credit hours)
Other courses that are suitable for the student's interest and program are likewise to be taken in order to complete the program of thirty credit hours. - Required Grades
If the grade point falls below 3.0 in any two semesters during the course of study, the student placed on academic probation. The student is expected to maintain a 3.5 (B+) grade point average. - Time Limits
The student is expected to complete the program within a maximum of five years. - Participation
The student is expected to participate in the special academic, spiritual, and social events sponsored by the Department and/or the Catholic Education Office. - Retreat
Toward the beginning of the spring semester, normally the last weekend in January, all students in the MARE program are invited to participate in a retreat. This retreat is jointly sponsored by the Department of Theological Studies and the Archdiocesan Catholic Education Office. The retreat facilitates, among all students of the program, a shared reflection on the vocation of the teaching ministry and it provides an opportunity for peer ministry among those engaged in various forms of religious education. Alumni of the program are also invited. Unless a student has participated in at least one of these retreats, he or she may not be admitted to comprehensive examinations. - Continuous Registration
From the beginning of the program until graduation, the student must be continuously registered. If the student is not taking a course in a given semester, registration for 0 credit hours is required.
Academic Advising
The Director of Graduate Studies serves as the student's initial adviser. Throughout the duration of the program, the student is to meet once each semester with the director of graduate studies at the time of registration to review progress in the program. As the student's academic focus becomes clear, the student is to seek out an adviser from among members of the faculty, whose area of specialization is similar to the student's and who can best direct the student's studies. The student should then inform the Director of Graduate Studies of the adviser chosen.
Student responsibilities:
- Communicate regularly with the adviser.
- Investigate and plan scheduling possibilities.
- Learn and follow all requirements, procedures, and deadlines of the department and of the Graduate School.
Adviser responsibilities:
- Be familiar with the overall program and the student's interests.
- Confer regularly with the student.
- Know graduate school policies.
Financial Aid
The cost for classified students in the M.A. in Theology with specialization in Religious Education is 40% of the normal Saint Louis University tuition. For students in good standing, the Department of Theological Studies often is able to offer additional tuition remission for one-third of the cost of the university tuition. An additional one-third tuition reimbursement is normally available for current teachers or Coordinators/Directors of Religious Education who serve in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The application form and criteria for this reimbursement can be secured from the Catholic Education Office.
Student responsibilities:
- Fill out a tuition remission application by mid-November for tuition remission in the spring semester and by mid-April for tuition remission in the summer and fall semesters. Forms are available in the department office.
- Tuition remission is granted only to students in good academic standing and to those who have no delinquent "Incomplete" in their record.
M.A. General Examination
The General Examination for the M.A. in Theology with specialization in Religious Education consists of a comprehensive written and oral examination. However, before the examination can be taken, the student must attend to several preliminary procedures. At the beginning of the final academic semester of course work, the student is responsible for the following:
- Request to take the M.A. examination by filling out an "M.A. Theology Exam Data Form" available in the department office. The form should be signed by the student's adviser.
- Register for TH-A 595, "Special Study Exams."
- Fill out an "Application for Degree Form" for the Graduate School Office (Link).
- Complete and return candidacy papers, which will subsequently be sent to the student from the Graduate School.
- Be well informed of the graduate school deadlines regarding the above preliminary procedures.
- Consult with the Director of Graduate Studies about the formation of an examination committee consisting of three members. Meet individually with the members of the exam committee at least two months prior to the examination to help prepare questions to guide preparation for the written and oral examination.
Written and Oral Examination for M.A. with specialization in Religious Education:
The general three-hour written examination and one-hour oral examination is considered one examination. It is administered by the committee of three examiners appointed by the graduate faculty, upon recommendation of the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the student. Two members of the examination committee are chosen from within the Department of Theological Studies and one member is chosen from the St. Louis Archdiocesan Catholic Education Office.
The examination focuses on selected themes from the theological and professional components of the program. Normally, the student, in consultation with each of the three professors assigned to the examination committee, reviews several areas of theology and religious education and prepares a list of fifteen comprehensive questions that are to serve as a guide for both the written and oral examination. This list of questions must be approved by the members of the examination committee.
If the written component of the examination is not passed, the student may not proceed to the oral examination, or portions thereof. In that case, the student may, upon recommendation of the examination committee, retake the written examination within three months. This may, however, be done only once. In event of failure of the oral comprehensive, the oral examination may, upon recommendation of the examination committee, be retaken within three months. This may, however, be done only once.
- Student responsibilities:
- Confer with the members of the committee at least two months prior to the written examination. Schedule the oral examination around ten days after the written examination.
- Faculty member responsibilities:
- Meet with the student prior to the exam.
- Complete grading of the written component in a timely manner.
- Follow the criteria for grading as decided by the graduate faculty.
Special Opportunities
- Departmental Graduate Student Advisory Council
The DGSAC is a committee of four graduate students in Historical Theology who meet periodically with the Director of Graduate Studies to plan and facilitate events for the graduate life of the department. They also provide continuing review of the program. The four students represent four different years of entry into the program and are elected to serve for one year by the students who began their full time study in that specific year. The departmental representative to the Graduate Student Advisory Council of the Graduate School is an "ex officio" member.
- Graduate Student Association
The GSA represents all full-time and part-time students enrolled in the Graduate School. It sponsors the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium to showcase graduate student research. The GSA also helps with funding for travel to academic conferences and for meeting publication expenses. The Department of Theological Studies has a representative to the university Graduate Student Association. This representative serves as a liaison between theology graduate students and the other graduate students throughout the university. It is important for students to be in communication with the departmental liaison. Visit the GSA Website.
- Center for Teaching Excellence
The Center for Teaching Excellence supports faculty and graduate students in the development of instructional skills and individual teaching pedagogy. For this purpose, two teaching certificate programs are available. Selected mentors guide participants through the program. Visit the CTE Website.
- Puleo Scholarship
The Mev Puleo Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for students in the department. It combines formal study and experiential learning to foster awareness and understanding of the people and culture of Latin American countries, Liberation Theology and the influence and role of the Catholic Church as an agent of change in Latin America.
Learn more about this program here. - Theology Digest
Theology Digest is a quarterly journal published by the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. Theological articles published in languages other than English are translated, discussed, and digested for publication in English. Professors and students have the opportunity to participate in this project. Theology Digest sponsors a regular weekly meeting for discussion of current theological issues.
Visit the Theology Digest Website.