Training For Laity in Theology

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This question may have been asked and answered in the past. I apologize in advance for starting a new thread. Can anyone direct me to a University that sponsors online or distance learning for lay people that want to change careers and teach theology? I have been disabled for the past two + years and am not able to return to my old career. I have a nursing > sales background. So obviously I do not have a theology or philosophy undergrad. I am 47 years of age, but still have a lot of life left in me. I cannot see myself collecting a disability check for the next eighteen years.
Thank you in advance for your help with this endeavor.

God Bless:)
 
You can try St. Mary’s of the Woods college in Terre Haute Indiana. They have the WED program, woman’s external degree which is largely correspondence work. There is also the university of Dayton Ohio which I believe has some online options. You can go to the IPEDS website, to find all sorts of information on every college in the United states.
 
kgrooney said:
This question may have been asked and answered in the past. I apologize in advance for starting a new thread. Can anyone direct me to a University that sponsors online or distance learning for lay people that want to change careers and teach theology? I have been disabled for the past two + years and am not able to return to my old career. I have a nursing > sales background. So obviously I do not have a theology or philosophy undergrad. I am 47 years of age, but still have a lot of life left in me. I cannot see myself collecting a disability check for the next eighteen years.
Thank you in advance for your help with this endeavor.

God Bless:)
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You could try the Catholic Distance University, though that probably would only get you started.

To teach theology in the Catholic Church, you would need the canonical degrees, as opposed to the secular degrees. It’s not a matter of the M.A. in theology and the Ph.D. in theology; it’s the bachelor’s of sacred theology, licentiate in sacred theology, and doctorate in sacred theology (S.T.B., S.T.L., and S.T.D.); alternatively, you could seek a doctorate in canon law (J.C.D.). I don’t know whether any of those degrees are offered entirely online.
 
kgrooney said:
This question may have been asked and answered in the past. I apologize in advance for starting a new thread. Can anyone direct me to a University that sponsors online or distance learning for lay people that want to change careers and teach theology? I have been disabled for the past two + years and am not able to return to my old career. I have a nursing > sales background. So obviously I do not have a theology or philosophy undergrad. I am 47 years of age, but still have a lot of life left in me. I cannot see myself collecting a disability check for the next eighteen years.
Thank you in advance for your help with this endeavor.

God Bless:)
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👋!
There will be more folks on board (after dinner)!
You may find a few links here…
Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology
http://www.salvationhistory.com/studies/courses/online/
 
Godfollower said:
You could try the Catholic Distance University, though that probably would only get you started.

To teach theology in the Catholic Church, you would need the canonical degrees, as opposed to the secular degrees. It’s not a matter of the M.A. in theology and the Ph.D. in theology; it’s the bachelor’s of sacred theology, licentiate in sacred theology, and doctorate in sacred theology (S.T.B., S.T.L., and S.T.D.); alternatively, you could seek a doctorate in canon law (J.C.D.). I don’t know whether any of those degrees are offered entirely online.
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You don’t need the Pontifical degree to teach. Our seminary has profs with an MA or PhD along with those with Pontifical degrees…and most universitites have profs in the Theology dept with PhDs only. To teach in a high school you probably only need the MA. One thing to consider. If you want an STL or STD in Theology and in some MA programs, you may need to have a reading ability in several languages including Latin, Greek, German and French. Also doctorate degrees in Theology or advanced pontifical degrees are not available on line and only in a few universities in this country
 
Thank you for your reply Joannm. I met with my Men’s prayer group last night and was up late sorting through the myriad of institutions that offer MA’s in theology. It is starting to become confusing. I will draw upon my experience from my search of nursing schools. Firstly, when I was looking for a nursing school they did not have online courses at that time and accreditation was an issue. The same, I am assuming, holds true in this situation. Who is the accrediting body for schools of theology? Secondly, I do not know, based upon the degree titles, what would be appropriate for what I am looking for. I see MA in; Theology, Pastoral Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Catechetics… Thirdly, there is cost. I have seen price per credit ranging from $175 - $390. So economics will play a part to some degree. (My disability insurance stated that they will work with me on tuition assistance, details yet to be worked out). Lastly, for background information only, my passion for as long as I can recall was to be a history teacher. American, Military, World, European, whatever it may be, I love history. Since being called by the Holy Spirit to pursue this calling I thought that teaching theology, of any flavor, would fulfill my passion. I mean, the Holy Bible is probably the greatest history book known to humankind.

I look forward to any replies.

God Bless
 
kgrooney said:
Thank you for your reply Joannm. I met with my Men’s prayer group last night and was up late sorting through the myriad of institutions that offer MA’s in theology. It is starting to become confusing. I will draw upon my experience from my search of nursing schools. Firstly, when I was looking for a nursing school they did not have online courses at that time and accreditation was an issue. The same, I am assuming, holds true in this situation. Who is the accrediting body for schools of theology? Secondly, I do not know, based upon the degree titles, what would be appropriate for what I am looking for. I see MA in; Theology, Pastoral Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Catechetics… Thirdly, there is cost. I have seen price per credit ranging from $175 - $390. So economics will play a part to some degree. (My disability insurance stated that they will work with me on tuition assistance, details yet to be worked out). Lastly, for background information only, my passion for as long as I can recall was to be a history teacher. American, Military, World, European, whatever it may be, I love history. Since being called by the Holy Spirit to pursue this calling I thought that teaching theology, of any flavor, would fulfill my passion. I mean, the Holy Bible is probably the greatest history book known to humankind.

I look forward to any replies.

God Bless
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I have two MA’s in Theology (well one I am completing this summer, God willing) One is in general Theology and the other, although will say Theology on the diploma, was totally focused on Liturgical Studies. My husband’s MA is in Pastoral Studies. That focuses more on practical applications to parish work. Since he is a deacon this is more helpful although most of the core courses are the same as the MA in Theology, there are less electives. An MA in Pastoral Ministry would again be more specific to working in a parish. An MA in Religious Studies or Catechesis would be applicable to working in a school or Religious Ed situation. A Master in Theological Studies would be best if one was considering going on for a PhD. The requirements for that degree are much more difficult and languages are required. Languages usually are not required for the other degrees as they at terminal degrees for the most part. If you want to teach I would say go for a MA in Theology or Religious Studies (Catechesis). Cost of the degree depends on where you go. Some schools are $800 a credit, some considerably more. Also look into summer only sessions were you complete your degree in a few summers with minimal time on campus and perhaps some online courses. The degree I am completing I did over 4 summers.
 
Hello,

I’ve taken one graduate seminar with Catholic Distance University so far and personally I think it is a wonderful school. They were very understanding when I had to delay writing my paper due to my grandmother’s illness and death.

CDU does not require a background in theology to enter the Masters in Theology program; all that is required is a bachelor’s degree in any subject and taking one prerequiste course. The course now required is called Introduction to Christianity and it is based on Pope Benedict’s book of the same name. (He wrote it years ago when he was a young priest).

CDU will let you “test the waters” so to speak before you enroll in the Master’s program. You can take any of their graduate courses without applying for the program; then if you do enroll in the program, all of your previous credits will count towards the final requirements.

Also if you feel you need some “brushing up” on your academic skills before attempting a graduate program, CDU has the academic skills course to help steer you through studying and writing at the graduate level.

Although I have seen some Catholic online programs with lower tuition, CDU can be financially friendly too. They have a program where you can pay for your remaining courses on a monthly basis and also a program which allows you to save on tuition if you are able to pay the entire program fee upfront.

Hope this helps you make your decision. Oh, I just noticed that you love history. I do too. I have a degree in history. CDU has some great courses in Catholic history. The seminar I took was American Catholic History: 1492-1808 with Professor Matthew Bunson. In August, the next part of the course will be offered, covering 1808-1908.

Plus CDU offers concentrations in several different topics, including Holy Scripture.

Blessings,
 
Thanks to all who have responded thus far. Please keep the suggestions coming. They are all very helpful.

God Bless.
 
I have received some very helpful information thus far in my quest for an MA program. At the top of my list so far is CDU. Second is Franciscan U, although they are requiring an additional 20 credits as prerequisites because I do not have any Theology or Philosophy undergrad. Has anyone heard of St Joseph’s in Maine or Holy Apostles in CT for distance learning?

Thanks again:thumbsup:
 
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