Requirements for Admission

An appropriate bachelor's degree. Normally, an applicant's baccalaureate major will have been religious studies, with some background in philosophy. Students with other backgrounds, however, will be considered if they demonstrate strong academic promise. It is expected that every applicant will have taken introductory work in both Old Testament and New Testament studies. The academic area retains the right to require prerequisite courses that are deemed necessary for the success of applicants in their course of studies. Work taken at other institutions is not normally applicable to the M.A. degree.

Coursework

For the Master of Arts degree, 24 hours of class work plus a thesis or 30 hours of coursework are required.

The following courses are required:

1. TRS 650A: Introduction to the History of Christian Spirituality;

2. TRS 660: History and Method in Theology;

3. TRS 780A: Introduction to the Study of Religion;

4. TRS 750A or 750B: Classics in Christian Spirituality I or II;

5. Three credits in Catholic theology;

6. Three credits in biblical studies;

7. Twelve credits according to specialized interests, e.g., in religious development (or six credits of coursework plus a thesis).

Coursework must include two major research papers or an M.A. thesis (six credit hours); at least one of the papers will focus on a topic directly related to the study of spirituality.

Language Requirement

M.A. students must demonstrate competence in reading one modern foreign language for purposes of research.

Comprehensive Exam

Candidates for the M.A. degree must successfully complete a comprehensive examination based on coursework and an M.A. reading list. The purpose of the M.A. comprehensive examination is to enable the student to synthesize understanding of issues and problems in the area of spirituality and related topics in theology and religious studies. It takes place on two days for four hours each day during the examination week designated in the university academic calendar. On each day of the exam the student is given eight questions related to coursework and the M.A. reading list and is asked to write essays for any four of those questions.