Master of Arts (Thomistic Studies)

This 36-credit degree program is designed to be taken over four consecutive summers with the possibility of a fifth summer for thesis development and defense. The degree is intended to prepare students for advanced degrees in the area of Thomistic thought and theology.

Upon the successful completion of this degree students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a general and integrated foundational knowledge of Thomistic speculative and moral theology, grounded in Scripture and philosophy.
• Give evidence of a basic familiarity with the primary texts of St. Thomas Aquinas.
• Employ the knowledge and skills necessary to enter doctoral studies, especially in Thomistic theology.
• Undertake Church-related work for which an M.A. is required or desirable, especially from a Thomistic point of view.
• Pursue an ongoing personal integration of theological study and the living of the faith (morally, liturgically, and spiritually).

A minimum of 36 credit-hours of graduate coursework is required according to the following distribution:

Systematic Theology (20 credits)

• Triune God (4)
• Creation and the Human Person (4)
• Theology of Grace (4)
• Basic Elements of Christology (4)
• Eucharist & Ecclesiology (4)

Moral Theology (12 credits)

• Principles of Christian Moral Life I, II (8)
• Theological & Cardinal Virtues (4)

Thesis Direction (4 credits)

Reading proficiency in Latin and a modern language (e.g. French, German or Spanish) may be demonstrated either by successfully completing two semesters of graduate coursework in the language or by passing a written proficiency examination, offered prior to the beginning of the summer session. Since both languages are considered prerequisites, these requirements must be satisfied within the first year of study.

To qualify for the comprehensive examination, the student must have satisfied the language requirements and have a grade point average of 3.00 or above. The student usually takes the comprehensive examination during the fourth semester of study although the Academic Dean may allow students to take the exam at other times. The exam has a single written component and its subject matter includes material covered in the required courses in systematic theology and moral theology as well as topics indicated in a special packet that the student will receive during his or her first year in the program. In order to pass the comprehensive exam, a student must receive an average grade of 3.00 on the exam. During the exam, the student will have three-hours to answer three questions from two themes (theses), two from the systematic theology area and one from the moral theology area. In each area the candidate will be able to choose from three possible questions.

The student must pass the comprehensive examination before defending his or her M.A. thesis. Students who fail the first attempt of the comprehensive exam, the thesis, or the thesis defense will be able to make a second attempt. However, they will only be able to receive the minimum required passing average grade of 3.0 on their second attempt and will be ineligible for academic honors. Candidates may not continue in the program after two failures of the comprehensive examination.

Normally the M.A. (Thomistic Studies) requires a minimum of four summer sessions or their equivalent. A fifth summer may be added for thesis writing and defense. The program may be taken on a part-time basis, but must be completed in no more than six years.

The student must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 or above throughout the M.A. program.

*Total or average cost does not include books, materials, or living expenses. This cost also assumes that appropriate philosophy studies have been completed.