The Master of Arts in Theology provides students with a solid theological foundation in Scripture, doctrine, liturgy, and spirituality/monastic studies. Students will develop their understanding of the theological tradition and their capacity for theological thinking, which will prepare students for a wide-range of leadership positions in Christian communities. The degree program can be earned fully online.
36 credits required
Collegeville Core
- History of Christianity (6 credits total): a two course introductory sequence
- Sacred Scripture (6 credits total): New Testament Electives (3 credits); Old Testament Electives (3 credits)
- Monastic Studies/Spirituality and Church History (3 credits total): Monastic Studies/Spirituality
- Systematic Theology (6 credits total): Moral (3 credits); Doctrine (3 credits)
- Liturgy (3 credits total): 3 elective credits chosen from courses in Liturgy
Electives
- 9 Credits - Students may take electives in any area of the catalog
Comprehensive Examinations
- Reading for Comprehensive Examinations (3 Credits)
Capstone Project: Integrative Comprehensive Examinations
Students assemble a booklist of ten monographs from course work, drawn from at least two subdisciplines.
- Students produce an annotated bibliography of the sources.
- Students write an integrative essay (8-10 pages) on a topic of their choosing using the bibliographic sources.
- Students sit for an oral examination on their booklist and paper.
Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary offers advanced standing to undergraduate students who are earning a minimum of a 3.2 grade point average in theological coursework while working towards a bachelor's degree in the College of Arts and Sciences of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. Students in the 5-year dual‐degree program start working at the graduate level while finishing their undergraduate degree.
A student in the dual‐degree program does not have to be a theology major; other majors are acceptable to the program. A theology major or minor, however, helps to provide the student with enough of a foundation to succeed in a master's degree program in theology. Students may choose the Master of Arts in Theology degree (M.A.T.; 36 crs.). Students completing the M.A.T. must also complete a Comprehensive exam as part of the degree.
