BA and MA in Catholic Theology
Program Description
This BA/MA of Arts in Catholic Theology brings together two successful existing degree programs at UHC that faithfully support the Mission of the University: it aligns with the Marianite tradition of service to the Church (as most students will teach or minister in various ways); it uses innovative teaching, including in online/hybrid formats; and it is fully alive to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, which seeks the relationship of knowledge to faith in all things. This program seeks to collaborate with other disciplines, especially Business, Education, and Counseling. Finally, the combined program offers excellent students an expedited and cost saving path to study Theology
The program’s goal is for students to transition from undergraduate to graduate-level learning in all areas of Catholic Theology: Scripture, the Church, the development and reception of doctrine, the Christian vision of the human person and the moral life, as well as the Church in relation to other religious traditions, science, education, law, and medicine. The Program seeks to cultivate informed thinkers and practitioners capable of lifelong theological study and applying their knowledge to diverse situations: among their families, colleagues, friends, patients, colleagues, and others whom they may encounter.
Scope and Purpose
The Combined BA/MA program affords opportunities for high achieving students, the department, and the University. Traditional students may choose to obtain both the BA in Theology and the MA in Catholic Theology degrees from UHC through an accelerated five (5) year instead of six (6) year-program. This program also allows non-traditional students who may not have finished a BA or BS to complete an undergraduate degree while also obtaining an MA in an expedited time frame. Students who graduate from the BA/MA program are trained in Catholic theology in less time and for less tuition. As with the BA and MACT, this program is presented in a hybrid (in- class and synchronous online) format.
Students complete both BA and MA degrees in 150 credit hours (BA 114 hrs./MA 36 hrs.) but do not lose content or training in the process. Traditional students may complete both degrees in five (5) years (including two summers). The program allows students to take up to two (2) Master’s- level courses to fulfill and be applied to cross listed courses in the BA degree. Non- traditional/transfer students have the same option of having two (2) MA courses fulfill BA courses, but may take longer to complete the degrees.
The designated MA courses, which provide the breadth of their BA counterparts while adding depth, fulfill both BA requirements and MA requirements concurrently. A student who is enrolled in the undergraduate BA in Theology (or the various minors or concentrations) may eligible for acceptance into the MA in Catholic Theology graduate program. Upon completion of the general education requirements (54 credit hours) and at least an additional 36 credit hours (for a total of at least 90 credit hours), students may apply to the combined program. When they have achieved the requisite credit hours, Theology majors and non-traditional/transfer students must follow the standard application procedure for the MACT (see below).
There are two additional requirements for entry into this program: students must have a GPA in their major courses of ≥3.5 and an ACT/SAT of at least 25/1200 (2016 test). Undergraduate students who are accepted may enroll in two graduate-level courses for graduate credit during their final year. Graduate credit for a graduate course completed with no less than a grade of B is given when the student has changed his or her status and is formally admitted to the Graduate Theology program. Students whose MA course work is below standard (3.0) have one semester of probation to improve.
Students who enter this program should expect to be awarded the Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees concurrently. If for some reason a student cannot complete the program as outlined, students must still complete the requirements for the BA in Theology. They may apply any Master’s-level classes toward completing their BA, but do not receive Master’s-level credit.
Program Outcomes
The BA/MA in Catholic Theology prepares candidates from diverse backgrounds to learn to incorporate Theology into their lives or to become theologians and teachers for the Church. The program emphasizes the development of the whole person and implements its philosophy into the University’s Mission through measurable objectives for teaching, research, and public service.
Teaching: To prepare students from diverse backgrounds to integrate their personal and professional commitments in Theology, the objectives for Teaching are
- to recruit, maintain, and matriculate culturally diverse students who demonstrate the potential to contribute to their chosen profession;
- to provide students with opportunities to apply their studies to real life experiences in a wide variety of educational and professional settings;
- to monitor students individually throughout their academic careers in order to promote both personal and professional development; and
- to foster students’ participation in the total life of the Church and to encourage life- long theological learning.
Research: To prepare students to be skillful researchers and to apply appropriate methodology in further pursuits, the objectives for research are
- to support students in their scholarly research through adequate resources and faculty mentoring;
- to provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills;
- to monitor students throughout their programs of study in order to ensure quality; and
- to encourage the presentation and publication of research findings.
Service: To prepare students to become professionals capable of applying Theology to various endeavors, the objectives for Service are
- to meet local societal needs through talks and other church activities;
- to ensure that students have opportunities for on-the-job training in facilities that address the concerns of persons who have limited economic resources; and
- to sponsor or encourage students to attend seminars, workshops, and institutes in order to promote their continuing education in Theology in New Orleans and beyond.
Student Learning Outcomes for the BA/MA Program In Theology
(Upon successful completion of the BA/MA Program in Theology, students will):
- Demonstrate knowledge of Sacred Scriptures and the tradition of Catholic doctrines;
- Cultivate a well-formed conscience by engaging Catholic moral and social teaching;
- Situate Catholic Theology with other academic disciplines and/or religious traditions;
- Be able to “Give an account of the hope within you” to family, colleagues, and community;
- Plan and implement effective pedagogy in a parish, ministry, or classroom settings; and
- Engage in successful reading, writing, and research to analyze and articulate Catholic Theology in argument and other literary forms.
Requirements
Freshman
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| HIS | History Elective | 3 |
| MAT 105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| | | |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PHI 206 | History of Philosophy | 3 |
| | | |
| SOC/HIS | Sociology/History Elective | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| THE 100 | Theological Workshop | 3 |
| THE 103 | The Christian Tradition | 3 |
| BIO/CHE/PHY | Biology/Chemistry/Physics Elective | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 31 |
Sophomore
| ENG | English Literature Elective | 3 |
| ART/FNA/MUS | Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
| SOC/HIS | Sociology/History Elective | 6 |
| MAT | Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| PHI 207 | Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHI 231/THE 240 | Philosophy & Being | 3 |
| PHI 250/THE 243 | Epistemology: Belief, Knowledge, & Truth | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 31 |
MAT (Mathematics Elective): above MAT 105
Junior
| | Free Electives | 6 |
| THE 202 | The Revelation of God | 3 |
| THE 203 | Jesus, Son of God | 3 |
| THE 280 | Catholic Moral Principles | 3 |
| THE 343 | Sacraments and Liturgy | 3 |
| THE 360 | Old Testament | 3 |
| THE 370 | New Testament | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 1 |
| FLA | Ancient or Modern Foreign Language | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 31 |
Senior
| THE | Electives | 3-9 |
| THE 211 | Discovering the Church | 3 |
| THE 300 | Theological Principles & Methods | 3 |
| THE | Theology Capstone | 3 |
| MA THE | MA Theology COURSES | 6 |
| Electives | Free Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
THE (Electives): 300 or above
THE (Theology Capstone): choose THE 432, 434, or 435
MA-1
| THE 510 | Theology: Origins & Development | 3 |
| THE 520 | Father, Son, & Holy Spirit in One God | 3 |
| THE 560 | The Development of Moral Theology | 3 |
| THE 604 | Christology | 3 |
| THE 610 | Ecclesiology | 3 |
| THE 625 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
MA-2
| THE | Electives | 12 |
| | | |
| THE 680 | Research Seminar for Thesis | 3 |
| | Or | |
| THE 690 | Professional Practicum I | 3 |
| | | |
| | Or | |
| | | |
| THE 681 | Theology Thesis | 3 |
| | Or | |
| THE 691 | Professional Practicum II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Total Credit Hours: 150
Summary
| English |
9 |
| Fine Arts/Humanities Electives |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
6 |
| General Electives |
15 |
| History |
6 |
| BA Theology |
36* |
| Mathematics |
6 |
| Natural Sciences |
9 |
| Philosophy |
15 |
| Social Sciences |
6 |
| Speech |
3 |
| MA Core Theology |
18 |
| MA Electives and other required courses |
18 |
Total Credit Hours: 150
THE 520, THE 560, THE 604, THE 610, and THE (Electives):
*(6 hours to be fulfilled by MACT courses)
Two (2) courses from the MACT Catalog (500 or 600 level classes) may be used to either fulfill two (2) BA Theology courses.
The (*) designates courses that MACT courses can fulfill BA courses in several combinations.