Master's and doctoral programs in Catholic
theology are designed to prepare students for a high-ranking career in
the clergy, such as priest. Distance learners can take advantage of
hybrid programs that combine online coursework with short, on-campus
residencies. In the Catholic faith, students generally choose a degree
based on their purpose or goal; a man who wishes to become a diocesan
priest, for example, will generally pursue a Master of Divinity from a
diocesan seminary.
Online Master's Degree Programs in Catholic Theology Overview
The Master of Arts degree in Theology, Master of Theology degree and Master of
Divinity
degree are advanced degrees for those usually preparing for a life of
religious service or preparing to teach at the college or university
level. Courses are largely in the fields of religion, and some programs
offer concentrations within the degree program, such as Old or New
Testament, church history, educational leadership or systematic
theology. A bachelor's degree in religious studies or a related field
and acceptable scores on the GRE are prerequisites.
There are 72 Catholic seminaries in the United States, according to
CatholicSeminarians.com. Future priests will choose to attend a
seminary that matches their choice to be either a diocesan and religious order priest.
A typical master's degree program takes 2-3 years to complete. For
students interested in distance-learning, there are programs available
both online and in hybrid format. Students need access to a computer
with Internet. Instructors blend traditional text with contemporary
online teaching tools, such as audio and video presentations.
Communication with instructors and fellow classmates is conducted via
email. Since some classes may require research papers, word processing
capabilities are required.
List of Courses in Catholic Theology at the Master's Level
Courses at the master's level cover a wide variety of specialized
topics in religion, such as Old and New Testament, history of the
church, history of Christian theology and religion in contemporary
society. The curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students for
certain career paths in religious service and leadership or religious
education. Often, independent research and academic papers are a large
part of a master's degree program in theology.
Old Testament Course
This course explores the history and literature of the Old Testament
in depth. Special topics of discussion and interest include creation,
covenant, the rise of the prophetic movement and exodus. Students look
at the people, kingdoms and empires of the Old Testament, using maps as
aids.
The Apocalypse in Writing Course
Students look at the rise and development of apocalyptic literature
according to certain religious communities. Focus is on the
geopolitical, literary and socio-historical context of the works with
special attention to the book of Revelation. Students practice
interpretation of literary material for ancient and contemporary
meaning.
Ancient Near Eastern Archeology Course
This course offers a briefing in basic archeological techniques and
offers an archeological perspective on the historical events and
cultures of the ancient near east. Some special topics of interest
include Babylonia, Sumerian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, Grecian and
Roman cultures and their influence on the ancient Far East.
Graduates with a master's degree in theology often find employment as
assistant pastors, youth pastors, or some other role related to
religious service, religious leadership or religious education. Some may
even venture into media, such as radio or television, writing or public
motivational speaking. An August 2010 survey by
salarylist.com reported the average annual salary of assistant pastors to be$20,000-$49,000. An August 2010 survey by
Payscale.com reported the average annual salary of pastors to be $37,000-$67,000. An August 2010 survey by
simplyhired.com reported that motivational speakers make an average annual salary of $44,000.
Online Doctoral Degree Programs in Catholic Theology Overview
Individuals looking to teach at the college or university level will
usually find a Doctor of Philosophy a prerequisite. A doctoral program
is comprised almost entirely of courses and seminars in topics related
specifically to religious studies. In addition, a doctoral program
usually consists of heavy self-directed research that culminates in a
dissertation. The degree program focuses on pastoral practice and
theological development for future full-time pastors. Students integrate
the study of classic theologies and how they can be translated to,
shared with, and embraced by modern society.
A doctoral degree program typically takes 5-10 years. Individuals
interested in distance-learning may complete the bulk, if not all, of
their studies online. Hybrid degree programs combine online instruction
with short, on-campus residencies. Students will need access to a
computer with high-speed Internet access. Communication with instructors
and classmates is conducted via email.
List of Courses in Catholic Theology at the Doctoral Level
Doctoral studies are predominately self-directed in conjunction with
an advisor. Seminars and directed research make up the bulk of a
doctoral program in theology. Students cultivate a knowledge and
practice of being a modern religious leader and educator.
Christian Doctrine History Course
Students study the inception, historical development, modern
clarification and formal statements of religious thought from the time
of the Apostles to the present. Special topics include the trinity, sin,
grace, atonement, salvation, Christian life, religious sacraments and
millennialism.
Religious and Theological Pedagogy Course
This course looks at biblical theology from an instructor's point of
view. Students study current successful teaching methods in the context
of diverse world views and learning styles. The class focuses on
communicating ancient theologies to contemporary society.
Biblical Ethics Course
Students look at unique theoretical issues of Christian ethics, such
as abortion and reproductive ethics, social responsibility and racial
reconciliation. It also looks at the modern Christian ethical viewpoints
of war, politics, marriage, modern technology and government. Modern
case studies are used as a basis of study.
Most students with a Ph.D. in Catholic Theology serve as high-ranking
members of the clergy or professors at the college or university level.
The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
www.bls.gov) reported in
August of 2010 that there were only 25,100 religion and philosophy
teachers. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
www.bls.gov) reported the average annual salaries of associate professors and tenured professors to be $78,000 and $108,000 respectively.
No comments:
Post a Comment