Theology

B.A. in Theology

The Program of Study in Theology advances the mission of the College of Saint Elizabeth by creating a community of learning nourished by belief in God the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier, by the treasury of human wisdom, and by respect for the dynamics of inquiry and action.

100 Level Courses

• THEO 120    Introduction to Christian Life and Thought
• THEO 110    Hebrew Scriptures
• THEO 113    The New Testament

200 Level Course: any one of the following courses

• THEO 221    Fundamental Moral Theology
• THEO 239    Christian Sexual Ethics
• THEO 250    Introduction to Christian Ethics
• THEO 263    Spirituality and Ethics

300 Level Courses

• THEO 309    History of Christianity I
• THEO 313    History of Christianity II
• THEO 320    Fundamentals of Christian Faith

400 Level Course

• THEO 425    Coordinating Seminar
• 200, 300, 400 Electives
• Any three (3) Courses at the 200 level or higher

Total credits for Bachelor of Arts in Theology 40 Credits

Capstone Requirement:

Students will fulfill the capstone requirement by successful completion and presentation of a final research paper. Preparation for this paper will be offered in THEO 425 Coordinating Seminar.

Minor in Theology

Requirements for the Theology Minor: 20 Credits

100 Level Course

• Any course with a THEO 100 designation.

200 Level Course

• Any course with a THEO 200 designation.

300 Level Course

• Any course with a THEO 300 designation.

Electives

• Any two (2) course with a THEO 200, THEO 300, or THEO 400 designation.

Open Elective

• Any course with a THEO 100, THEO 200, THEO 300, or THEO 400 designation.

Combined B.A./M.A. Degree Program B.A. in Theology/M.A. in Theology

Current CSE undergraduate students who may be interested in pursuing graduate studies in Theology may apply for a dual degree option that would include the following conditions:

• Seniors may begin with the January Residency in the senior year and may take a maximum of 6 credits.
• Seniors must have completed their General Education theology requirements prior to taking the first graduate course.
• While the two courses taken during the period of undergraduate study would be applied to the graduate program, students are not automatically accepted into the Masters program. Seniors who are allowed to take two graduate courses prior to completing their Bachelors program must still apply to complete the Masters program. These courses remain transferable from one delivery system to the other.

Combined degree students must continue in the master’s program without interruption until completion or risk being dropped. Combined degree students must apply and be granted a leave of absence in order to interrupt their studies.

Master of Arts in Theology

Program Philosophy

Our graduate program is situated in the vision of the Church elaborated in the documents of the Second Vatican Council. The Council invited us to return to our roots in Scripture, Patristicsand the Great Tradition of the Church.

At the same time the Church called us to be discerning of the "signs of the times,"gave new focus to the role of the laity, and unleashed a challenging and exciting era in the study of theology. This era is characterized by the recognition of the role of culture in shaping the concerns of the theological enterprise, the emergence of new theological disciplines, the growing importance of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and the recognition that the academic study of theology and reflection on experience are mutually animating and enriching.

It is in the spirit conveyed by Pope John Paul II in his many writings, that we invite you to join the theology department to "put out into the deep" (Lk 5:4).

Program Description

The M.A. in Theology is a 36-credit program which consists of a core of four courses (12 credits), complemented by eight electives (24 credits). Though a broad curriculum has been designed, students have some flexibility to shape their program to fit their interests and needs,with approval from their faculty advisor. This may include taking courses in the Summer Institute of the Center for Theological and Spiritual Development (three credits maximum), or courses at other accredited institutions. No student may earn more than nine credits in this fashion.

To receive the M.A.degree, each student must accomplish the following:

• Complete 36 credits in theology,with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Since the program is designed as a part-time program of study, our students usually complete the program between four and six years.
• Submit three research papers from courses taken in the program as a final requirement. With the guidance of a faculty advisor, expand and deepen these papers as evidence of ability to research and present theological topics in an indepth, competent and scholarly manner. Ordinarily, the papers will be 15 typed pages, double-spaced, including bibliography. The MLA style,which is to be used for all papers written during the program, is the acceptable format for the papers.
• With recommendations from the student, 2-3 faculty members (full-time and adjunct) will participate in a one-hour conversation about the papers presented. The faculty will then assess a grade of Pass, Fail, or Pass with Distinction.

Academic Progress

The M.A. in Theology is designed for part-time, rather than fulltime students. Ordinarily, a student will complete the degree program in four years. A student coming to the completion of the M.A.degree program is required to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Master of Arts in Theology: Low Residency Option

Program Description
The new low-residency model is designed for students residing at long distances away from campus who wish to complete the degree through a sequence of one-week residencies followed by periods of directed reading and research. The basic format for the low residency option is:

• 29 Month Program (January of year 1 – May of year 3)
• 36 Credits
• Five residency weeks
• Six Directed Readings (two months each)
• Three Research Papers (completed during designated periods when the students are not completing direct readings)

Students will be required to spend five weeks on campus with a two week residency period in the summer and a three week period in January. There are two entry points: students may begin with either the first summer or the first January residency. Individuals who begin in the low residency program may also opt to transfer into the traditional program upon approval of the faculty. Students entering the program will choose one of four tracks:Catholic Studies, Pastoral Care, Spirituality, or Theological Studies to advance on in the degree.

Program Requirements Per Track

Catholic Studies

• THEO617 Theological Foundations (3)
• THEO603 History of Christianity (3)
• PHIL631 Catholic Intellectual Tradition (3)
• THEO627 Catholic Moral Theology (3)
• THEO605 Mystery of God (3)
• THEO609 Scriptural Interpretation (3)

Ecclesiology (choose one):

• THEO615 Mystery of Church (3), or
• THEO656 Church in an Age of Plurality (3)

15 credit electives

Pastoral Care

• THEO617 Theological Foundations (3)
• THEO605 Mystery of God (3)
• THEO609 Scriptural Interpretation (3)
• THEO619 Liturgical Theology (3)
• THEO625 Ministry and Ministries (3)
• PSY660 Counseling & Spirituality (3)

Ethics (choose one):

• MC626 Ethical Issues in Human Ecclesiology: Services Leadership (3), or
• THEO627 Catholic Moral Theology (3), or
• THEO663 Spirituality & Ethics (3)

15 credits electives

Spirituality

• THEO617 Theological Foundations (3)
• THEO605 Mystery of God (3)
• THEO609 Scriptural Interpretation (3)
• THEO641 Mysticism & Spirituality (3)
• THEO659 Aesthetics & Spirituality (3)
• THEO663 Spirituality & Ethics (3)
• THEO674 Spiritualities & Charity (3)

15 credits electives

Theological Studies

• THEO617 Theological Foundations (3)
• THEO609 Scriptural Interpretation (3)
• THEO605 Mystery of God (3)
• THEO619 Liturgical Theology (3)

Ecclesiology (choose one):

• THEO615 Mystery of the Church (3)
• THEO656 Church in an Age of Plurality (3)

Ethics (choose one):

• MC626 Ethical Issues in Human Services Leadership (3), or
• THEO627 Catholic Moral Theology (3), or
• THEO663 Spirituality & Ethics (3)

18 credits electives

Graduate Certificate in Catholic Studies

The certificate consists of 15 graduate credits and is intended for students who wish to learn more about the rich spiritual and intellectual tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.The certificate may be taken alone or in combination with the M.A. in Theology program.

• THEO 603     History of Christianity
• THEO 631     Catholic Intellectual Tradition (Phil.)
• THEO 627     Catholic Moral Theology
• THEO 609     Scriptural Interpretation
• Elective Course – choose one
• THEO 615     Mystery of Church

OR

• THEO 656     Church in an Age of Plurality

Graduate Certificate in Spirituality

The certificate consists of 15 graduate credits. The 15 credits may be earned by taking the 4 courses listed below and one elective course from the courses listed for the M.A. in Theology program.The certificate provides the theological foundations for these ministries. The certificate may be taken alone or in combination with the M.A. in Theology program.

• THEO 641    Spirituality Through the Ages
• THEO 663    Spirituality and Ethics
• THEO 667    TheWisdom of the Mystics
• THEO 674    Christian Spiritualities and Charity
• Elective Course – choose one from courses listed for the M.A. in Theology program

Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Care

The certificate consists of 15 graduate credits and is intended for students who work in helping professions such as hospitals, nursing homes and other settings where the combined skills in theology and counseling are required. The certificate provides the theological foundations for these ministries. The certificate may be taken alone or in combination with the M.A. in Theology program.

• THEO 609     Scriptural Interpretation
• THEO 619     Liturgical Theology
• PSY 660       Counseling and Spirituality
• THEO 625     Ministry and Ministries
• Ethics Course  – choose one
• MC 626        Ethical issues in Human Leadership

OR

• THEO 627     Catholic Moral Theology

OR

• THEO 663     Spirituality and Ethics

Ministry Program Certificates

Center for Theological and Spiritual Development

Spiritual Development

Certificate in Ministry Programs

We offer four Ministry Certificate Programs: Religious Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Parish Life Ministries, and Pastoral Administration. Courses are offered both in English and Spanish. To meet the needs of the students, we offer classes on campus in Morristown, New Jersey, at off-site locations in New Jersey, and totally online. These programs are designed for those currently serving in parish ministry roles, those wanting to prepare for ministry roles, and those wishing to come for their own personal growth and development. These are all undergraduate level courses, 3 credits each. In addition to the 21 course credits, there is also a 4 credit Pastoral Internship that will be completed during the program. The 25 credits may be transferred into other programs of study leading to baccalaureate degrees.

Religious Education
This certificate prepares students to lead others into the lifelong journey of saying yes to faith with both mind and heart. Students will gain knowledge of the theories of teaching and learning for adults, adolescents, and children and will explore the contemporary documents on Catechetics and Evangelization which ground the educational ministry of the church.

Youth and Young AdultMinistry
This certificate is designed to develop a vibrant outreach for serving this vital community in parish life – youth and young adults as part of the present and future Church. Using study of Scripture and theology as a foundation, students will examine social and psychological development and will develop tools for evangelization and program design in ministering to this population.

Parish LifeMinistries
This certificate prepares students to minister to a wide variety of pastoral needs across the family life spectrum. Using study of the theological and Scriptural touchstones that inform the pastoral practices of hospitality and compassion, students will examine the sociological and psychological forces that shape family life in all of its markers and milestones.

Pastoral Administration
This certificate honors the strong theological and Scriptural foundations that must inform the administration of a parish, recognizing that effective business and personnel management must always point to the implementation of Gospel values. Students will use their study to develop an individualized curriculum which best honors their experience and educational background, coupled with the needs of the parish.

Certificate in Religious Education

Requirements: 25 Credits

• THEO 150    Introduction to Scriptures
• THEO 153    Foundations in Lay Ministry: Identity and Pastoral Practice with the Living God
• THEO 230    Religious Education Skills and Competencies
• THEO 241    Church: Community of Faith
• THEO 243    Sacraments: Holy Encounters with the Living God
• THEO 250    Christian Ethics: Principles and Process for Decision-Making
• THEO 275    Christology: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”
• THEO 280/281  Pastoral Internship

Related Requirement:

Students are expected to participate in ongoing spiritual formation, which includes appropriate workshops, liturgies, retreats, and days of reflection for personal faith development. More detailed information is given upon acceptance into the program.

Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Requirements: 25 Credits

• THEO 150   Introduction to Scriptures
• THEO 153   Foundations in Lay Ministry: Identity and Pastoral Practice 
• THEO 241   Church: Community of Faith, Witness and Service 
• THEO 243   Sacraments:Holy Encounters with the Living God 
• THEO 250   Christian Ethics: Principles and Process for Decision-Making 
• THEO 275   Christology: "Who Do You Say That I Am?" 
• THEO 137   Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Skills and Competencies 
• THEO 280/281   Pastoral Internship

Related Requirement:

Students are expected to participate in ongoing spiritual formation, which includes appropriate workshops, liturgies, retreats, and days of reflection for personal faith development. More detailed information is given upon acceptance into the program.

Certificate in Parish Life Ministries

Requirements

• THEO 150   Introduction to Scriptures
• THEO 153   Foundations in Lay Ministry: Identity and Pastoral Practice 
• THEO 241   Church: Community of Faith, Witness and Service 
• THEO 243   Sacraments: Holy Encounters with the Living God 
• THEO 250   Christian Ethics: Principles and Process for Decision-Making 
• THEO 275   Christology: "Who Do You Say That I Am?" 
• THEO 205   Christian Marriage and Family 
• THEO 280/281   Pastoral Internship

Related Requirement:

Students are expected to participate in ongoing spiritual formation, which includes appropriate workshops, liturgies, retreats, and days of reflection for personal faith development. More detailed information is given upon acceptance into the program.

Certificate in Pastoral Administration

Requirements: 25 Credits

• THEO 150   Introduction to Scriptures
• THEO 153   Foundations in Lay Ministry: Identity and Pastoral Practice 
• THEO 241   Church: Community of Faith, Witness and Service 
• THEO 243   Sacraments: Holy Encounters with the Living God 
• THEO 250   Christian Ethics: Principles and Process for Decision-Making 
• THEO 275   Christology: "Who Do You Say That I Am?" 
• THEO 400   Special Topics in Theology: Tailored to meet the student's background and ministry setting 
• THEO 280/281   Pastoral Internship

Related Requirement:

Students are expected to participate in ongoing spiritual formation, which includes appropriate workshops, liturgies, retreats, and days of reflection for personal faith development. More detailed information is given upon acceptance into the program.

Certificate in Diaconal Ministry

The College of Saint Elizabeth offers deacon candidates the best of its rich heritage and outstanding resources to help prepare deacon candidates for ministry in the Church. The goal of the Center is to challenge its students to cherish the tradition and create the future. The faculty prepares the candidates by educating them in the richness of the Catholic theological and spiritual tradition. This enables the men in this program to be able to serve the Church and its needs in today's world.

The College works in collaboration with various dioceses in creating a program that will meet the needs of each individual diocese. The course of studies listed below is just one model that is currently being used. Others can be designed. Each diocese provides the spiritual and pastoral formation of the candidates, which supplements and enhances the theological formation offered by the College.

Requirements: 33 Credits

• THEO 105   Pastoral Counseling for Ministry
• THEO 110   Hebrew Scriptures 
• THEO 115   The Gospels 
• THEO 143   Liturgy and Spirituality 
• THEO 155   Theological Reflection 
• THEO 221   Fundamental Moral Theology 
• THEO 300   Homiletics:The Art of Preaching 
• THEO 241   Church: Community of Faith, Witness, and Service 
• THEO 243   Sacraments: Holy Encounters with the Living God 
• THEO 250   Christian Ethics: Principles and Process for Decision Making 
• THEO 275   Christology: "Who Do You Say That I Am?"

Related Requirements:

Deacon candidates are required to participate in a series of preaching workshops and training over a four year period. In addition, three workshops on various pastoral issues and concerns are offered each year by experts in theology, spirituality, and liturgy. Additional topics, such as Canon Law, are provided by each diocese.