Accelerated Dual Degree Program (B.A./M.A.) - Theology & Religious Studies

The Accelerated Dual Degree Program in Theology & Religious Studies is designed for undergraduate students who wish to earn the Master of Arts degree with an additional year of study beyond the baccalaureate degree. Undergraduates may apply for admission to the Integrated B.A./M.A. program in the junior year. For students who are accepted, up to 9 credits of graduate coursework may be taken during the senior year and applied toward both the TRS major and the TRS Master of Arts degree. Students complete the 30-credit M.A. by taking the remaining 21 graduate credits before the end of their fifth year. Students in the Accelerated Dual Program also have the opportunity to earn the Certificate in Theological Education by the end of the fifth year, qualifying them to teach high school theology within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

Undergraduate Learning Goals

Students will:

1. Critically analyze the religious dimensions of human experience as expressed in sacred texts, art, ritual practice, ethical commitments, philosophy/theology, and social structures.

2. Identify ways in which religious or ethical traditions and the critical study thereof provide resources for responding to injustice and living ethically.

Graduate Learning Goals

The successful Master of Arts graduate will achieve the following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

1. Critically analyze the religious dimensions of human experience as expressed in sacred texts, art, ritual practice, ethical commitments, philosophy/ theology, and social structures.

2. Identify ways in which religious or ethical traditions and the critical study thereof provide resources for responding to injustice and living ethically.

Achievement of these two TRS learning goals will be measured according to the following performance standards:

1. Student uses pertinent, appropriately documented, primary and secondary sources to demonstrate sophisticated critical engagement with a religious expression in its context and from an explicit, well-defined disciplinary perspective; takes into account diverse contexts, alternative explanations, assumptions, and implications, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of those interpretations.

2. Student uses pertinent, appropriately documented, primary and secondary sources adeptly and insightfully to analyze an ethical question or injustice in light of diverse religious resources or ethical theories; identifies strengths and possible critiques of the various resources or theories; and articulates own response, including an explanation of the assumptions behind, objections to, and implications of this position.

Dual Degree Program Application Requirements

Applicants to the Accelerated Dual Degree Program must be at junior standing and are required to submit the following:

• The online graduate application form.

• Official academic transcript(s) of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

• Two letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic qualifications. If appropriate, one letter may be from someone familiar with the applicant’s professional work.

• A personal statement indicating the applicant’s aims and goals in pursuing the TRS M.A. program.

In addition, applicants may submit in support of the application:

• A research writing sample; and/or

• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

Required Courses for the Dual Degree Program

Undergraduate Major Requirements

Area Requirements (15 credits)

At least one 3-credit course from each of the following areas:

1. Sacred Texts (1100-1199, 2100-2199, 3100-3199, 4100-4199)

2. Religion in History & Society (1200-1299, 2200-2299, 3200-3299, 4200-4299)

3. Catholic Theology (1300-1399, 2300-2399, 3300-3399, 4300-4399)

4. Non-Christian Religions (1400-1499, 2400-2499, 3400-3499, 4400-4499)

5. Ethics & Justice (1500-1599, 2500-2599, 3500-3599, 4500-4599)

Two Electives from TRS 1000 - 4999 (6 credits)

4000-Level Requirement (3 credits)

Senior Seminar Capstone (3 credits)

Undergraduate-only credit subtotal: 27

Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Requirements

Three 5000-level electives, which will count as both TRS undergraduate major and M.A. elective courses.

Combined credit subtotal: 9

Graduate Requirements

*If the student has taken TRS 4100 or TRS 4102, then the student must take TRS 5300. If the student has taken TRS 4300, then the student must take TRS 5100 or TRS 5102.

At least one 3-credit course from each of the following areas:

1. Non-Christian Religions (5400-5499)

2. Ethics & Justice (5500-5599)

Additional 12 credit hours of elective coursework (TRS 5000-5999)

Graduate-only credit subtotal: 21

Total Credit Hours: 57