Bachelor's Degree for Theology Doctorate

[Jmd96]

Sorry if this isn’t the right place for this thread. Recently, I have felt that God has been calling me to teach theology at post-secondary institutions, which would require several degrees culminating in a doctorate in theology.

However, the program I’m looking at Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Catholic Studies from a secular university. This program attracts me because I would save money by living at home and attending a publicly-funded university. But I’m wondering if anyone knows, in general, if a Bachelor’s Degree in religion would be adequate to get me into a Master’s program in Theology? Or would they only consider those with Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology?

Or I mean if someone has some sources that have info on that they want to link me to that would also be great.

Yours in Christ,

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Start looking at graduate schools and see what they prefer.

 

[Neofight]

Do as the previous poster suggests, but by an large, a graduate degree only requires a BS or BA…and a post grad degree might, but might not, rewire post grad degree in theology, or at least dome additional course work.

 

[Mark1124]

A degree in theology is generally preferred but not required. I’m currently working on my Master’s in Theology at Franciscan University, and in my class we have students who majored in Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Economics, Kinesiology, Engineering, and several other fields. You might have to take a few extra courses if you don’t have a Bachelor’s in Theology (but not necessarily - my philosophy classes filled most of the prerequisites I needed), but it wouldn’t exclude you from the program.

 

[MyNameIsDan]

I’ve taken a look at graduate schools for theology. The ones I’ve looked at will accept any 4-year degree but some prefer good grounding in philosophy. If you finish a degree that doesn’t meet all their requirements, you might have to do a preparatory year (or two) before you can be admitted into the program. You would be doing it as a pre-master’s student, which most of the time, doesn’t mean you will make it into grad school after finishing their supplementary courses. As the others suggested, take a look at the graduate schools you are interested in.

Moreover, really take a look at where you want to teach. If you want to teach theology at a Catholic university, they might prefer someone with a licenciate (degrees obtained only from a pontifical university). I am pretty sure teaching seminarians or at a pontifical university almost always requires that you have ecclesiastical degrees. So you might want to consider going to a pontifical school to keep your bases covered.

I’m interested in grad school for theology too so I’d like to know what you think.

Good luck and God bless!

 

[Jmd96]

Thank you all for your responses.

A degree in theology is generally preferred but not required. I’m currently working on my Master’s in Theology at Franciscan University, and in my class we have students who majored in Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Economics, Kinesiology, Engineering, and several other fields. You might have to take a few extra courses if you don’t have a Bachelor’s in Theology (but not necessarily - my philosophy classes filled most of the prerequisites I needed), but it wouldn’t exclude you from the program.

Online this program is called Masters of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry. Would that program be relevant for someone like me who isn’t actually going into Christian Ministry?

I’ve taken a look at graduate schools for theology. The ones I’ve looked at will accept any 4-year degree but some prefer good grounding in philosophy. If you finish a degree that doesn’t meet all their requirements, you might have to do a preparatory year (or two) before you can be admitted into the program. You would be doing it as a pre-master’s student, which most of the time, doesn’t mean you will make it into grad school after finishing their supplementary courses. As the others suggested, take a look at the graduate schools you are interested in.

May I ask which grad schools you’ve looked at that will accept any 4-year degree?

Also, I am currently attending a Protestant University that offers a major in Biblical and Theological Studies. Generally, would Catholic grad schools take that kind of degree seriously?

Sorry for all the questions; it’s a crazy time of life and I’m trying to figure everything out. God bless,

 

[Mark1124]

Online this program is called Masters of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry. Would that program be relevant for someone like me who isn’t actually going into Christian Ministry?

They just created the Research Intensive Track this year, which is designed for students who are going on to a doctorate in theology. It replaces the pastoral electives with required theological course, and includes a language requirement (4 semesters or equivalent of one ancient language [Latin, Greek, or Hebrew] and one modern language [French or German]; language classes are free for students in the research track). Unfortunately, the details aren’t up on the website yet, but the attached chart gives a good overview of the program.

 

[MyNameIsDan]

May I ask which grad schools you’ve looked at that will accept any 4-year degree?

Also, I am currently attending a Protestant University that offers a major in Biblical and Theological Studies. Generally, would Catholic grad schools take that kind of degree seriously?

Sorry for all the questions; it’s a crazy time of life and I’m trying to figure everything out. God bless,

I don’t remember since I haven’t looked into it too much (it’s not my focus for a career at the moment).

ustpaul.ca/program-new/theology-241.htm

UStPaul will accept any degree but you will have to be grounded in theology for at least 60 credit hours.

staugustines.on.ca/academic/programs_mts.html

This one doesn’t seem to have any specifics.

staugustines.on.ca/academic/programs_stb_mdiv.html

This one needs you to have at least some grounding in the humanities (and it comes off as though you can do any humanities but you need philosophy and such)

stpetersseminary.ca/Programs/Theology/Masters-of-Divinity/30

stpetersseminary.ca/Programs/Theology/Masters-of-Theological-Studies/32

These are just some. You might notice they’re all Canadian. I hope it gives you an idea if you’re not.

Please let me know what you think! I’ve only looked at theology programs recently; just considering it and browsing around just in case I don’t make it into my first option (health field) so I haven’t looked too much into it.

 

[Tatian]

Aim for the top schools at which to do a masters and Ph.D work. I’m at Notre Dame. We have a lot of people who come in to the MTS program who did not major in Theology. They may have done something in the humanities, but not Theology or even religion. So you would be fine.

My advice would be to do as much language work in your undergrad as possible, particularly Latin, classical Greek, German, and French.