General Approach
Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology's M.A. in Theology allows students to choose from four concentrations:
- Biblical Studies
- Moral Theology
- Systematic Theology
- Church History
A fifth concentration in Judaeo-Christian Studies is also offered in collaboration with the University's Department of Jewish-Christian Studies.
The M.A. in Theology is offered in two formats: General and Research.
Coursework
Degree Requirements
All students must take STHO 6020 Research Seminar in the first semester of study.
General (Terminal) Option
Students selecting the M.A. in Theology, general option, must complete 36 credits of coursework, divided into 21 credits in one of the major areas listed under “concentrations,” and 12 credits in the other areas of concentration, divided as evenly as possible among them. Students concentrating in biblical studies also must complete 3 credits in Biblical Greek or Hebrew. As close as possible to their final semester of studies, students also must complete 3 credits in the STHO 6999 M.A. Seminar, a capstone course integrating their theological studies from among the various concentrations.
Research Option
The M.A. in Theology program, research format, consists of four components (five if biblical studies concentration is chosen): coursework, language reading requirement, comprehensive examinations and thesis. These four components are divided as follows:
I. Coursework (36 credits)
Students must complete 36 hours of graduate coursework, divided into 21 credits in one of the major areas listed under “concentrations” and 15 credits in the other areas of concentration, divided as evenly as possible among them. No pastoral theology (PTHO) courses are applicable to the M.A. in Theology degree.
II. Language Reading Requirement
Students must demonstrate reading knowledge of French or German. This requirement should be met as early as possible; no student will be permitted to advance to comprehensive examinations without satisfying it. Substitution of other languages is generally not permitted unless the student demonstrates a compelling relationship between the proposed language substitute and his area of research. Students meet the language reading requirement by taking a one-hour translation examination administered and graded by a faculty member chosen by the associate dean. The exam may be taken during the Fall or Spring semester.
III. Comprehensive Examinations
Students must complete written comprehensive examinations in their areas of concentration, demonstrating relative mastery of the chosen area of concentration. Comprehensives are taken after coursework and the language reading requirement have been fulfilled. Exams may be taken during the Fall or Spring semester.
IV. Thesis
Students must submit an acceptable thesis of substantial length (80-100 pages) in the chosen field of concentration on a topic previously approved by the Educational Policy Committee, only after all other degree requirements have been met successfully. The thesis is read by a mentor and a reader, each of whom grades the thesis, with the final grade established as an average by the associate dean. The final thesis must be filed in the ICSST Library.
V. Additional Requirements for Biblical Students
In addition to the requirements described above, students concentrating in biblical studies must successfully complete at least one semester of Biblical Greek (3 credits) and one semester of Biblical Hebrew (3 credits) prior to comprehensive examinations.
