Theology (MA)
The MA degree program is appropriate for students seeking either a terminal degree or a degree that will prepare them to pursue a doctoral degree. Applicants can be admitted to the program on a part-time basis. Many courses are conveniently scheduled during late afternoon or evening hours.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Theology requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination. Students may choose to concentrate in one of the following areas: Theological Studies, Biblical Languages and Literature, Biblical Studies, or Christian Ethics. An Education minor option is also offered.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MA Requirements | 30 | |
| Students may choose one of the following | ||
| Theological Studies | ||
Four Gradute-level electives | ||
| Biblical Languages and Literature | ||
Four courses in Major Biblical Language (Hebrew or Greek) | ||
Two courses in Minor Biblical Language (Hebrew or Greek) | ||
Two courses in Old Testament | ||
Two courses in New Testament | ||
| Biblical Studies | ||
Three Graduate Electives | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
Graduate Elective | ||
| Bioethics & Health Care Policy | ||
| Clinical Topics in Bioethics | ||
Three courses in Bioethics 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
One course in Bioethics may be taken at the Neiswanger Institute.
Education Minor Option
Students seeking an MA in any of our four concentrations can pursue a minor in Education. This option is excellent preparation for those who plan to teach theology at the high school level, where candidates with a combination of academic theological training and teacher training are in high demand.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CIEP 414 | Instructional Methods-Diverse Population | 3 |
| CIEP 423 | Advanced Literacy Instruction in the Content Area | 3 |
| CIEP 425 | Theory and Practice in Assessment | 3 |
| CIEP 458 | Classroom Management | 3 |
For those students who choose this option, the Theology Department will recognize two of these four required School of Education courses as fulfilling two electives in the MA program. The other two School of Education courses are in addition to the usual MA course requirements. Students frequently take these additional two courses during the summer
Concentration Descriptions
The Master of Arts in Theology requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination. The following descriptions are provided to aid in choosing a concentration area:
- Theological Studies: emphasizes exposure to the full range of theological investigation.
- Biblical Languages and Literature: provides students with the initial language and biblical study necessary to apply to doctoral programs in Biblical Studies. Half of the coursework is in biblical Greek and Hebrew. Note: requires an additional 6 credit hours due to intensive language requirements.
- Biblical Studies: directed towards students with a particular interest in Biblical Studies, but does not incorporate the language study necessary for doctoral work in Biblical Studies.
- Christian Ethics: focuses on coursework in Christian Ethics with similarities to the concentration in Theological Studies for a comprehensive overall coursework.
- Bioethics & Health Care Policy: offered jointly with the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership. This concentration is appropriate for students interested in pursuing a social ethical understanding of bioethics. Courses in this concentration address the history of bioethics including the issues of racism and eugenics; methods and approaches in medical ethics and bioethics (ethnography, narrative bioethics, feminist bioethics); and topics in bioethics such as reproductive medicine and reproductive justice, genetics, disability ethics, spiritual care ethics, end of life, and healthcare justice.
Biblical Studies Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 401 | Tutorial in Biblical Studies | 3 |
| THEO 403 | Topics in Rabbinic & Medieval Literature | 3 |
| THEO 404 | History of Israel | 3 |
| THEO 405 | Formation of The Pentateuch | 3 |
| THEO 406 | Basic Hebrew Grammar | 3 |
| THEO 407 | Hebrew Exegesis | 3 |
| THEO 418 | Theological Prophets-Ancient Israel | 3 |
| THEO 420 | Seminar | 3 |
| THEO 421 | Directed Reading in Bible Studies | 1-3 |
| THEO 422 | Directed Reading in Bible Studies | 3 |
| THEO 424 | The Synoptic Gospels | 3 |
| THEO 425 | Luke-Acts & New Testament Church | 3 |
| THEO 427 | St Paul's Contribution to Christianity | 3 |
| THEO 429 | Person of Jesus in New Testament | 3 |
| THEO 515 | Gospels in Early Christianity | 3 |
| THEO 517 | Early Christian Letters | 1-12 |
| THEO 519 | Latr Nt-Subapost Writ | 3 |
| THEO 523 | Cultural-Religious Environment Early Christianity | 3 |
| THEO 527 | Various Community Early Christianity | 3 |
Systematic & Historical Theology Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 436 | Christology | 3 |
| THEO 437 | Mystery of God in Christian Theology | 3 |
| THEO 440 | Seminar in Systematic Theology | 1-12 |
| THEO 441 | Directed Reading in Systematic Theology | 3 |
| THEO 447 | Philosophical Theology | 3 |
| THEO 449 | Phenomenology of Religion | 3 |
| THEO 459 | Contemporary Theology | 1-12 |
| THEO 460 | Seminar in History of Theology | 1-12 |
| THEO 461 | Directed Readings in History of Theology | 3 |
| THEO 464 | Religion & Politics in Christian History | 3 |
| THEO 530 | Seminar - Variable Titles | 1-12 |
| THEO 536 | Christian Doctrine-Catholic Theology | 3 |
| THEO 560 | Contemporary Authors | 1-12 |
Christian Ethics Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 470 | Foundations Crititical Issues Theological Ethics | 1-12 |
| THEO 475 | Natural Law & Theological Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 477 | Feminist Issues in Theology and Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 478 | Issues in Medical Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 480 | Seminar in Christian Ethics | 1-12 |
| THEO 481 | Directed Readings Christian Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 570 | Fundamental Issues in Christian Ethics | 1-12 |
| THEO 573 | Roman Catholic Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 575 | Religious Ethics and Social Theory | 3 |
| THEO 580 | Christian Social Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 585 | Issues Applied Theology Ethics | 3 |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Objectives:
- Provide students with advanced mastery of theological traditions and disciplines (all M.A. programs):
- Help students aiming at a teaching career to gain pedagogical skills and excellence (especially M.A. THEO/EDU MINOR).
- Support the Jesuit Order’s First Studies Program at Loyola
- Forward the Jesuit mission and identity of Loyola University Chicago
Assessment
- All M.A. Students are required to take rigorous courses, giving students a solid foundation in theological traditions and disciplines. At the end of the program, each student takes a comprehensive written exam. The questions in these exams are tailored to the students’ course record and interest.
- M.A. students can participate in many of the pedagogical opportunities that we offer as a department, e.g., course design, assessment tools, etc., which are especially pertinent to the M.A. THEO/EDU MINOR students.
- The M.A. program regularly enrolls Jesuit scholastics in a wide range of our courses as they pursue the M.A. in Social Philosophy from the Philosophy Department. Their presence enriches our classes and our diversity of students enriches the scholastics’ educational breadth of experience. Occasionally, Theology faculty direct or advise their M.A. theses.
- Our M.A. students are exposed to the many programs across the university that support the Jesuit mission, to which our department’s faculty contribute. In particular, the Healing Earth Project, an online tool to teach environmental science in secondary schools, integrated with ethics and spirituality, allows M.A. students who will teach in high schools to excel in this area.