芝加哥洛約拉大學

The Department of Theology offers undergraduates the unique opportunity to complete a combined BA/MA in Theology in just five years (instead of the customary six). Upon completion of the degree, graduates will be prepared to assume a variety of positions where theological training and competence are in demand, such as teaching theology in a high school/academy, or developing educational programs for a parish. A Master’s degree in Theology is also the requisite step for entrance into a doctoral program in theology for those interested in the life of a professor of theology, hence for teaching and researching theology.

Program overview

Students pursuing their BA in Theology take seven entry level and compulsory courses in that field, leaving them with five Theology electives to complete in the first stage of the program. In the proposed accelerated degree, two courses taken in the student’s fourth year would match two of the MA level courses.

While there is some possibility of flexibility here, the courses that would be the most suitable for these electives are Theo 317/318 and two MA level courses in Bible, e.g. Old Testament and New Testament at the 400 level. The program is jointly administered between the Director of Majors and Minors (Undergraduate level) and the Graduate Program Director in the Theology Department.

The 5 year BA/MA in Theology aims to:

• Accelerate the overall time-to-graduation of a student by allowing two courses to count as requirements for both the undergraduate Major and Master’s degrees in Theology; this will allow students to complete twelve hours of graduate courses during their senior year;
• Reduce the total tuition cost of obtaining both degrees;
• Encourage excellent undergraduate students in Theology to continue their graduate studies at Loyola;
• Provide a direct and expedited admission process for Loyola Majors in Theology into the Master’s Program in Theology.