Theology (BA/MA)
The Department of Theology offers undergraduates the unique opportunity to complete a combined BA/MA in Theology in just five years (instead of the customary six). Upon completion of the degree, graduates will be prepared to assume a variety of positions where theological training and competence are in demand, such as teaching theology in a high school/academy, developing educational programs for a parish, or entrance into a doctoral program in theology or religious studies for those interested in life as a professor.
The 5 year BA/MA in Theology aims to:
- Accelerate the overall time-to-graduation of a student.
- Reduce the total tuition cost of obtaining both degrees.
- Encourage excellent undergraduate students in Theology and Religious Studies to continue their graduate studies at Loyola.
CURRICULUM
Students pursuing their BA in Theology take seven entry level and compulsory courses in that field, leaving them with five Theology electives to complete in the first stage of the program. In the accelerated degree, students would take four MA level courses during their senior year - two 400-level courses that would count towards the elective requirement for the major; two 400-level courses that would count towards a student's general elective requirement. While there is some possibility of flexibility here, the courses that would be the most suitable for the Theology electives are THEO 460 Seminar in History of Theology and two MA level courses in Bible, e.g. Old Testament and New Testament at the 400 level.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BA Requirements | ||
| Doctrine Course 1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Christian Theology | ||
| Sacraments and the Christian Imagination | ||
| Church & Global Cultures | ||
| Jesus Christ | ||
| Bible, Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | ||
| Wisdom Literature and Psalms | ||
| Pentateuch | ||
| Israel Conquest to Exile | ||
| Bible, New Testament | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| New Testament | ||
| The Meaning of Jesus Christ | ||
| Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke | ||
| Christian Thought Course 2 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval | ||
| Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern | ||
| Non-Christian Religious Tradition Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Religious Studies | ||
| Judaism | ||
| Hinduism | ||
| Islam | ||
| Buddhism | ||
| Religions of Asia | ||
| Topics in Islam | ||
| Topics in Buddhism | ||
| Religious Traditions | ||
| Topics in Judaism | ||
| Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | ||
| Contemporary Islamic Thought and Movements | ||
| Ethics Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
| Global Religious Ethics | ||
| Social Justice and Injustice | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Christian Marriage | ||
| Foundations of Christian Morality | ||
| Perspectives on Life and Death | ||
| Contemporary Christian Sexuality | ||
| Theology and Ecology | ||
| Theology Capstone | 3 | |
| Theology Capstone 3 | ||
| Elective Credits | 15 | |
Any THEO 200-level or higher course | ||
Select five elective courses 4 | ||
| All Things Ignatian: Living and Learning in the Jesuit Trad | ||
| MA Requirements | 30 | |
| Students may choose one of the following concentration areas. | ||
| Courses in the concentrations are chosen from theology course areas with the option for directed readings and independent study for particular areas of study. | ||
| 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 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- 1
Eligible students may substitute HONR 101 Western Traditions - Antiquity to the Middle Ages / HONR D101 Developments Western Thought I Discussion for the Doctrine requirement.
- 2
Students may take the Christian Thought courses at the 400-level - THEO 460 Seminar in History of Theology - in order to fulfill the requirement to complete two 400 level courses for the BA/MA.
- 3
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, students may replace THEO 373 Theology Capstone with THEO 353 Religious Traditions.
- 4
At least seven (7) of the 12 courses required for the major must be at the 300-level or higher. With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, two 400 level Masters courses will be taken senior year and will be double-counted as credits for both the BA and the MA degrees. Courses used for other Theology major requirements cannot be used as electives.
- 5
One course in Bioethics may be taken at the Neiswanger Institute.
Elective Courses
Listing of 200-Level and 300-Level THEO Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 203 | Social Justice and Injustice | 3 |
| THEO 204 | Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | 3 |
| THEO 231 | Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
| THEO 232 | New Testament | 3 |
| THEO 265 | Sacraments and the Christian Imagination | 3 |
| THEO 266 | Church & Global Cultures | 3 |
| THEO 267 | Jesus Christ | 3 |
| THEO 272 | Judaism | 3 |
| THEO 276 | Black World Religion | 3 |
| THEO 278 | Religion & Gender | 3 |
| THEO 279 | Roman Catholicism | 3 |
| THEO 280 | Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| THEO 281 | Christianity Through Time | 3 |
| THEO 282 | Hinduism | 3 |
| THEO 293 | Christian Marriage | 3 |
| THEO 295 | Islam | 3 |
| THEO 297 | Buddhism | 3 |
| THEO 299 | Religions of Asia | 3 |
| THEO 302 | Wisdom Literature and Psalms | 3 |
| THEO 303 | Pentateuch | 3 |
| THEO 304 | Israel Conquest to Exile | 3 |
| THEO 308 | Biblical Hebrew I | 3 |
| THEO 309 | Biblical Hebrew II | 3 |
| THEO 311 | The Meaning of Jesus Christ | 3 |
| THEO 313 | Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke | 3 |
| THEO 317 | Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval | 3 |
| THEO 318 | Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern | 3 |
| THEO 330 | Liberation Theology | 3 |
| THEO 331 | Theology of Secularization | 3 |
| THEO 340 | Foundations of Christian Morality | 3 |
| THEO 342 | Perspectives on Life and Death | 3 |
| THEO 343 | Contemporary Christian Sexuality | 3 |
| THEO 344 | Theology and Ecology | 3 |
| THEO 348 | Supervised Ministry | 3 |
| THEO 349 | Theological Topics for the Bioethics Capstone | 3 |
| THEO 350 | Topics in Islam | 3 |
| THEO 352 | Topics in Buddhism | 3 |
| THEO 353 | Religious Traditions | 3 |
| THEO 356 | Topics in Judaism | 3 |
| THEO 365 | Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | 3 |
| THEO 366 | Contemporary Islamic Thought and Movements | 3 |
| THEO 373 | Theology Capstone | 3 |
| THEO 376 | Language and Faith | 3 |
| THEO 378 | Theology and Culture | 3 |
| THEO 382 | Readings-Liturgy | 3 |
| THEO 383 | Theology Arts & Literature | 1-3 |
| THEO 392 | Readings in Theology | 3 |
| THEO 393 | Seminar | 3 |
| THEO 395 | Theology Tutorial | 3 |
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 |
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.
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their graduate studies after earning the undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional master’s degree program. Any application of graduate credit earned while in the undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the graduate degree granting school.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Demonstrate knowledge of the sources and historical development of beliefs and practices of Christianity with particular attention to the Roman Catholic tradition.
- Apply scholarly methods to the understanding of scripture.
- Demonstrate familiarity with key theological concepts and doctrines of the Christian faith (e.g., Christology, trinity, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, etc.) as enunciated by at least two theologians.
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of at least one other religious tradition outside of Christianity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how Christian perspectives and sources inform responses to pressing ethical questions.