MASTER OF ARTS IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY
General Outline
This ecumenical academic degree program consists of 36 graduate credits of learning within a combination of core courses, elective courses, and one of three synthesis component options – practicum, thesis, permanent diaconate option– that contributes to the pastoral ministry expertise of the learner. The particular design of each student’s program will be determined within an advising relationship with the Program director.
Individual backgrounds may be taken into consideration in determining the particular course of study options. Currently this degree is only offered for part-time study. The maximum number of years within which one shall complete the M.A. program is normally six. An extension requires the Program Director’s approval.
Degree Credits
36 graduate credits (a combination of Core Courses, Electives, and a Synthesis Component)
Required Core Courses (24 credits)
Students will be required to complete the following set of eight (8) core courses:
·PT 500 – Biblical Foundations: The Hebrew Scriptures
·PT 510 – Biblical Foundations: The Christian Scriptures
·PT 520 – Church History: The First Millennium
·PT 530 – Introduction to Theology
·PT 540 – Christian Vision of the Human Person
·PT 550 – Introduction to Christian Ethics
·PT 560 – Foundations of Worship / Liturgy
·PT 570 – Pastoral Care in Ministry
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Elective courses can be one, two or three credits. The following is a list of possible courses that will be available.
·PT 511 – Real to Reel: Jesus in the Movies
·PT 512 – Women in the New Testament
·PT 521 – West Encounters East
·PT 531 – An Introduction to Karl Rahner
·PT 532 – Jesus Christ and His Ministry
·PT 561 – Lectionary Based Preaching
·PT 571 – Ministry of Listening
·PT 581 – Tools for Teaching the Faith
Mandatory Synthesis Component (3 credits)
·PT 600 – Ministerial Reflection Seminar / Practicum
·PT 601 – Pastoral Theology Synthesis Thesis
·PT 602 – Permanent Diaconate Option
Completion of the Program
Core courses can be taken in any order. It is advisable to take Biblical Foundations: The Hebrew Scriptures before Biblical Foundations: The Christian Scriptures. It is expected that two core courses will be offered each semester (numbers may affect this). Therefore all core courses will be offered every two year cycle.
Elective courses can be taken in any order provided that any course prerequisites have been met. It is expected that at least one elective, and maybe more, will be offered every semester.
Normally the synthesis option will be started only after all coursework is completed.
There are normally two semesters in this degree program – fall and winter. Occasionally, summer courses may be offered.
Students wishing to take 6 credits every semester can complete their course work requirement in six consecutive semesters. Students wishing to take three credits every semester can complete their coursework requirement in 11 consecutive semesters. As the practicum takes one semester and the thesis one or two semesters to complete, it is advisable that students look to taking more than 3 credits a semester for some of the semesters they are enrolled in the degree program. There is every reason to believe that students can complete all of their degree requirements in a maximum of six years.
Terminal degree
The M.A. degree in Pastoral Theology offered at Assumption University is a terminal degree. Completion of this Master’s program does not prepare an individual for post-graduate doctoral work.
DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY
