MA Theology - Catholic

Hi,

I posted the other day asking for information on teaching online as I just completed my M.B.A. from Baker. It seems most schools want you to have either experience (which I don't) or your degree for at least two years.

So while waiting and searching, I thought I would begin an MA in Theology but would like it from a Catholic Univerisity, but not too conservative at the same time.

I know there is the Catholic Distance University and they offer the MA Theology, but it is not RA school. Are there any other options. Also does anyone have any experience with CDU?

Thanks a bunch!

P.S. I did try a search, but nothing relevant came up.

Teri

Wayland Baptist University - B.S.O.E. Human Services
Baker College of Graduate Studies - M.B.A.

 

Try HACS

Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell CT sounds like it has what you are looking for.

http://www.holyapostles.edu/

or you can locate them through the CT distance learning consortium:

www.ctdlc.org

RA through the NEASC. Good luck.

 

You might also look at the Australian Catholic University. I don't have the link right now.

 

Thank you! I never even knew Holy Apostles College and Seminary existed. I am checking it out right now!

The Australian Catholic University I have heard of but isn't it a bit different in their awarding of degrees then the US? I thought you had to complete the certificate of graduate studies and then the Masters degree? Maybe I am thinking of another school! I will check them both out!

Teri

 

The US Catholic Bishops have polled every Catholic institution of higher education in the United States about what DL programs they offer that address the Catholic faith and are open to the laity. An annotated list is here:

http://www.usccb.org/laity/laysurvey/schools.shtml

Most of the offerings seem to be individual classes or degrees in pastoral ministry, offered at remote sites. But look through it, there's online or correspondence theology mixed in there.

 

Catholic Distance University
Franciscan University of Steubenville
International Catholic University
Loyola University (New Orleans)
Saint Mary of the Woods College

 

Holy Apostles is very conservative.

Of the choices you have been offered here -- some of which are excellent, by the way -- do not underestimate Ted's recommendation of St. Mary of the Woods, and its MA in Pastoral Theology. It's a seriously good program, by a seriously good institution. It's difficult -- if not impossible -- to find anything that's very much better...

...seriously.

 

Yes, but the price at HACS can't be beat if an MA in theology from a Catholic school is your thing. $230.00/credit hour is a price you won't find at any other Catholic university, including CDU.

 

Father John Corapi received a Masters from Holy Apostles.

You gotta have a foreign language, modern or Greek or Latin to be a MA candidate at HA.

 

St. Joseph's College of Maine has an MA in Pastoral Theology. I considered this program myself at one time, even though I'm not Roman Catholic.

I believe the Franciscan University of Steubenville has some kind of master's progam.

 

Australian Catholic University www.acuweb.com.au (BG15, 99)
Maryvale Institute www.maryvale.ac.uk (BG15, 163)
Saint Joseph's College www.sjcme.edu (BG15, 170)

 

Thank you everyone for your posts and help! St Joseph's college would have been perfect, but they no longer offer the Master's degree, they only offer the BA.

I have a lot of research now to do based on all your grear information!

 

St. Joseph's (SJCME) was one of my favorites. They even offered the MA in three interesting flavors. Really excellent!

But, as the thread-starter points out, it's mysteriously disappeared. Actually, it happened during the summer, as I recall... when St. Joseph's still used the yellow-and-dark-red (and dirt slow) web site. It disappeared from there, with no explanation; and now, with the new, blue site, it's just flat-out nowhere to be found... or even mentioned. Curious.

I played telephone tag with the head of that department at SJCME back when it first happened. I was going to ask her about it and I just never circled back to follow-up. I think I'll go go that now, though. I'm really curious what happened.

See? SJCME's dumping that program is so recent that it's still on Ted's list. I gotta' go find out why.

I'll let everyone know if I do.

 

I had emailed St Joseph's awhile back and all they said was they no longer offer it (the MA program), but no explaination as to why. My plan was originally to enter that program, I had information on it, and then they discontinued the program. So now I was trying to find something similar to it.

 

And they are inordinately expensive! I considered them and they were even willing to work out some type of financial arrangement with me.

With a relative offering to foot the bill for my continued theological education, I opted to go elsewhere.

Best of luck on your search. I wish I had some suggestions for you, but I don't.

 

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I would consider attending a regionally accredited institution if you're considering teaching down the road. The problem with Catholic Distance University is that they're very expensive and not very many sources recognize there degrees. It's ok probably for laity but for someone who wishes to do something further with their degree I'd def consider a different route. Honestly, I don't know why Catholic Distance University is so expensive, but it'd be different if it was more widely accepted in terms of an interest in becoming a priest or something. Otherwise, it just doesn't seem to be worth the investment. I don't know of anyone who has graduated from CDU, but perhaps they could shed some light on the utility of there degrees.

 

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Where did you obtain the information about not many sources recognizing their degrees?

 

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I am not putting down Catholic Distance University. I just know that when I've inquired about whether or not this would meet the requirements to be considered in becoming a priest that a degree from Catholic Distance University doesn't have the same weight and consideration as a Master in Theology or Religion from an ATS accredited religious school i.e. Catholic University, St. Bernard's School of Theology, etc. This is what I'm basing my observation and opinion on. If you can provide where I'm wrong, please let me know.

 

Re: reply

I have no agenda here, to prove you wrong or otherwise. I simply asked you to verify your statement that "not very many sources recognize there degrees."

You have not provided the name of one single source. We are tyring to help people on this Board and making blanket, unsubstantiated statements doesn't help.

One's educational choices are very serious business. We must be accurate with our comments.

I would tend to agree with you, nonetheless, but still would think you could list at least three sources since you used the word "many."

 

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Jimmy Clifton,

I may have made a mistake with my terminology. I meant to say when I've checked into a diocese or those that are close to the Roman Catholic Church -- they've stated that they'll not recognize a degree from Catholic Distance University. That's what I've been told. Perhaps I needed to phrase it more specifically.

It seems to me that you're trying to make a big deal out of something that isn't all that big of a deal. I told you that in addition to this that there are schools that'll not transfer the degree that is earned from Catholic Distance University for teaching purposes. Ok, now I'm a little more specific and I hope that this meets your requirements.

I'm quite surprised about the tone of your last post. You usually are an easy going and caring person. I guess I must have struck a nerve with you, and again I apologize if you felt that I did an injustice to this board. I honestly don't need any enemies. Please forgive me.