Philosophy and Theology for Ministry, M.A.

Saint Louis University’s Master of Arts in Philosophy and Theology for Ministry, offered through the College of Philosophy and Letters, provides the interdisciplinary foundations for intelligent ministry in the Church and further divinity studies required for ordination. For future priests, the degree also offers the opportunity to satisfy one year of the four years of graduate theological studies required for ordination.

Curriculum Overview

The Master of Arts in Philosophy and Theology for Ministry consists of 47 credits: 12 credits of graduate philosophy, 18 credits of graduate theology, 12 graduate credits of electives (which may include up to six credits of philosophy and six credits of theology), and five graduate credits devoted to a two-semester, integrative capstone project. In the capstone, students integrate their own ministerial experience with philosophical, theological, and other disciplinary knowledge as appropriate for their capstone topic.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

To complete the M.A., students must integrate studies with their own ministerial engagements, or life experiences relevant for reflection on ministry. The St. Louis area offers a wide range of opportunities for such engagement. In addition, students may engage in the many service opportunities offered through Saint Louis University, which is a national leader in student service.

Careers

Saint Louis University’s Master of Arts in Philosophy and Theology for Ministry provides the intellectual foundations for intelligent service of the Gospel and further studies in divinity. Together with suitable pre-requisites in philosophy, the program allows students to complete the philosophical coursework, and one year of theological coursework, required for ordination in the Catholic priesthood, as stipulated in the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF).

Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the program requires approval of the dean. For those preparing for ordination, approval of the appropriate religious superior or bishop is also required. In addition to an undergraduate degree or equivalent, prerequisites in undergraduate philosophy and theology may be required at the discretion of the dean.

1. Students will be able to assess relevant literature in philosophy and theology.
2. Students will be able to discuss connections among major thinkers and ideas that have shaped the history of philosophy and theology. 
3. Students will be able to analyze challenges in the contexts of ministry using philosophy, theology, and other relevant sources of knowledge (personal experience, and other disciplinary knowledge if pertinent). 
4. Students will be able to evidence professional integrity in their reflection on challenges in contexts of ministry.

Course requirements are met by courses that fall within the stipulated subject areas below, as approved by the dean.

Elective courses in theology and philosophy should be selected with a view to the capstone, the student’s ministerial engagements, or the requirements in the Program of Priestly Formation. With the approval of the dean, area requirements in theology may be adjusted in view of course availability and the student’s individual situation.

Undergraduate Prerequisites

Philosophy and theology courses as needed; nine credits of contextual analysis courses, unless taken as general electives in the M.A. Generally speaking, contextual analysis courses should be selected with a view to their relevance for the student’s capstone project.

Non-Course Requirements

• Capstone Idea Proposal: Students must submit a preliminary sketch of their envisioned capstone topic area by the end of their first year of graduate studies toward the M.A.; for Jesuits, this requirement is met by successful completion of the Capstone Method course, taken in the spring of the first year.
• Successful defense of the capstone paper in an oral exam.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

In addition to the required graduate courses, the roadmap below includes undergraduate prerequisites for a student without previous background in philosophy.

In addition, the roadmap includes the nine credits of Cultural Horizon and Cultural Context courses that are required of Jesuit students only; these courses are meant to expand the students’ liberal arts background and help fill gaps in their general education. Other than the Introduction to Philosophy, all philosophy courses listed as prerequisites or as M.A. Philosophy Electives are chosen to satisfy ordination requirements in the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), as interpreted by the Society of Jesus.

Students not pursuing ordination have greater latitude in the selection of philosophy courses.