Online Programs for Master's in Theology

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Ad_Gentes

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A couple of months ago, I posted a question on the AAA forum requesting information on online programs for a Master’s degree in Theology. Fr. Serpa suggested the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Holy Apostles College and Seminary. I just recently enrolled in Holy Apostles since they offer a program that seems more flexible for me. I don’t have an undergraduate degree in theology or philosophy, so admission requirements were strongly considered.

I want to make sure I’m choosing the right institution and/or program. Can someone tell me which university/program is better? What are pros and cons with both? Or, can you just share your experience with either one? If you have a better suggestion, that would also be welcomed. Thank you.
 
I don’t have any suggestions but I hope to be joining you at HA. I am taking my philosophy prereq this winter so that (hopefully) I can enroll at HA in the fall. Please let us know how you find it.
 
I can’t speak to HA as I have never heard of it until now, but I do know that Franciscan University of Steubenville is an excellent school - very Catholic and true to the teachings of the Church. I looked at their program a little bit and liked what I saw there. I really liked that it was flexible in the sense that you signed up for a course, had six months to complete it. Plus, it seems you can completely do the degree through distance learning. Not all schools have that ability.

Anyways - that was just what I saw that looked good to me. No doubt there are others out there who may have more to add to that or different opinions too.
 
Letchitsa1 said:
I can’t speak to HA as I have never heard of it until now, but I do know that Franciscan University of Steubenville is an excellent school - very Catholic and true to the teachings of the Church. I looked at their program a little bit and liked what I saw there. I really liked that it was flexible in the sense that you signed up for a course, had six months to complete it. Plus, it seems you can completely do the degree through distance learning. Not all schools have that ability.

Anyways - that was just what I saw that looked good to me. No doubt there are others out there who may have more to add to that or different opinions too.
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The last time I looked Franciscan required you to go there for a few weeks each year. Has that changed?
 
Franciscan University of Steubenville states the following in its Distance Learning FAQ:
Do I have to attend on campus to earn an MA Theology degree?
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Yes, there is a residency requirement. You must complete six graduate theology credits (two courses) on campus. These two courses may be taken during two 3-week summer sessions. Several sessions are offered each summer. Distance Learning students may also fulfill the residency requirement by participating in the Rome Program.
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Corki said:
The last time I looked Franciscan required you to go there for a few weeks each year. Has that changed?
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No, you still have to visit on campus. Two classes, each are three weeks. So at some point I will have to do that. But the price at Franciscan was the best I could find and the theology is excellent. And the program is well-organized and executed.
 
MarcoPolo said:
But the price at Franciscan was the best I could find and the theology is excellent. And the program is well-organized and executed.
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I also considered the tuition costs. Franciscan University’s tuition ($175/credit hour) is definitely lower than Holy Apostles ($275/credit hour). One disadvantage for those without an undergraduate degree in theology or philosophy, however, is that Franciscan University requires 6 theology and 2 philosophy undergraduate courses (24 credit hours total) in addition to the 12 graduate courses (36 credit hours) required to complete the degree. That’s an additional year if studying full-time, with all the related costs. I imagine there would be additional costs involved with the residency requirement as well.

Holy Apostles only have one prerequisite course in philosophy that can be applied towards the M.A. degree as part of the 36 credit hours required. The entire degree can also be completed online (no residency requirements). On the other hand, Franciscan students would potentially be better prepared for graduate work in theology due to the 24 credit hours prerequisite.

Franciscan University seems to be better known than Holy Apostles. Both schools are fully accredited by their respective regional associations.
 
Marsha_Adams said:
Catholic Distance University offers a Master of Arts in Theology completely by correspondence. No residence requirements.
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I also considered CDU. I can’t comment much about their program, but the costs were just too much for me ($380/credit hour, $150 application fee, etc.).

Another concern I had was that they’re not accredited by any of the 7 regional accrediting associations, but by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). My understanding is that DETC is a valid and recognized national accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education, but I have read that not every university/institution recognizes it or gives it the same weight as the regional accrediting associations. Wikipedia (I know it’s not a reliable source) states that only “about 70% of DETC graduates are successful in transferring credits.” I’m sure that’s probably changing as more and more universities offer distance learning degrees. Can anyone provide more/better information on their accreditation?
 
Ad_Gentes said:
I also considered CDU. I can’t comment much about their program, but the costs were just too much for me ($380/credit hour, $150 application fee, etc.).

Another concern I had was that they’re not accredited by any of the 7 regional accrediting associations, but by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). My understanding is that DETC is a valid and recognized national accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education, but I have read that not every university/institution recognizes it or gives it the same weight as the regional accrediting associations. Wikipedia (I know it’s not a reliable source) states that only “about 70% of DETC graduates are successful in transferring credits.” I’m sure that’s probably changing as more and more universities offer distance learning degrees. Can anyone provide more/better information on their accreditation?
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If the school is not regionally accredited, you will have a very hard time getting another school to accept the transfer credits. I’ve been taking online course for the past two years and this was one of the main things I had to consider when starting school. DETC is nowhere near on par with regional accreditation and I wouldn’t go to any school that does not have regional accreditation.

Regional accreditation is more accepted than national accreditations too. All of your major universities have regional accreditation; not all of them have national accreditations as it is pointless.

Just something for the OP to consider. You might also check in to American Public University; it’s an all online school that offers degrees in religion. It’s not catholic-specific but I considered enrolling there.
 
Ad_Gentes said:
I also considered the tuition costs. Franciscan University’s tuition ($175/credit hour) is definitely lower than Holy Apostles ($275/credit hour). One disadvantage for those without an undergraduate degree in theology or philosophy, however, is that Franciscan University requires 6 theology and 2 philosophy undergraduate courses (24 credit hours total) in addition to the 12 graduate courses (36 credit hours) required to complete the degree. That’s an additional year if studying full-time, with all the related costs. I imagine there would be additional costs involved with the residency requirement as well.

Holy Apostles only have one prerequisite course in philosophy that can be applied towards the M.A. degree as part of the 36 credit hours required. The entire degree can also be completed online (no residency requirements). On the other hand, Franciscan students would potentially be better prepared for graduate work in theology due to the 24 credit hours prerequisite.

Franciscan University seems to be better known than Holy Apostles. Both schools are fully accredited by their respective regional associations.
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I had already taken a philosophy class and an ethics class that Franciscan accepted as philosophy requirements. So if you’ve taken those, you should be ok. The other advantage to Franciscan, for some of those who are fans of Catholic Answers, is that you will have as professors Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. Mark Miravalle, Dr. Regis Martin, and maybe even some others!

I’m in my 5th (or is it 6th) class right now. I’ve moved into the graduate classes because they’re still working on putting the audio and such together for the remaining 2 undergrads I need. I am quite pleased so far with the way it’s all going.

I don’t want to take anything away from Holy Apostles though. I know it may work better for those who can’t do the residency and have heard good things about their program as well.
:o
 
no matter which program you choose, check with the diocese, university or wherever you are hoping to work to make sure they accept the degree from that program.
 
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