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Notes from the Chair's Desk
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Theology & Religious Studies Resources
 
 
 

Master of Arts Program

John Carroll University offers a 1/3 tuition scholarship
for students enrolled in the RL Master of Arts program.

Application forms for the scholarship are available through the Graduate School.

It is desirable that students seeking to enroll in the Master's program should have six undergraduate courses in theology or religious studies.  Since few undergraduates actually major in these fields, the department offers introductory courses in biblical studies (RL400) and systematic theology (RL430) to acquaint students with the basic themes and methods in those areas. RL 400 and 430 are prerequisites for other courses in those areas; they may be waived for students who have taken similar courses at other institutions. In their first month of study, graduate students will meet with the chair of the RL Graduate Committee for an orientation to library resources and information about steps necessary to complete the M.A. degree.
General Degree Requirements:
  1. 30 graduate semester hours of study
  2. RL 400, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (taught each fall)
  3. RL 430, Introduction to Systematic Theology (taught each spring)
  4. One course in Religious Ethics
  5. One course in World Religions
  6. At least 15 semester hours in 500-level courses
  7. A comprehensive examination
  8. A Master's Essay or Thesis (see below)
For students in Plan A (who have received approval of their academic petition to be entered into the Thesis track):
  1. successful completion of a foreign language examination demonstrating a reading knowledge of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Spanish, or German;
  2. the completion of a master's thesis (RL 599), in lieu of six semester hours of course work.

For students in Plan B (the essay track):  the completion of a research essay

 Course of Studies

Ordinarily graduate courses are three semester hours; no more than nine credit hours toward the degree may be taken in one-credit or two-credit courses.  No more than six semester hours or the equivalence of two comparable John Carroll University courses may be transferred from another graduate institution.  A student's program may typically include no more than two independent studies and no more than three online courses.

Initial acceptance of students is made under Plan B, the non-thesis option. Authorization of Plan A, the thesis option, is contingent upon the completion of at least one 500-level course, the successful completion of the foreign language exam, request of the student, and the approval of the department chair and the dean.  A change from Plan B to Plan A is accomplished by academic petition.

Since the Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies is designed to provide students with the necessary background for diverse careers and ministries or for further graduate or professional study, the student and advisor will together work out a program of study best suited to individual needs and goals.  This program may include a concentration in a particular area.

 

Note:  Students accepted under the requirements for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies listed in previous Graduate School bulletins normally should fulfill those requirements, but they may petition for permission to follow the requirements introduced with this Graduate School Bulletin instead.

 

John Carroll University, University Heights, OH  -  44118  | 216-397-4708   | religion@jcu.edu
John Spencer, Chairperson -   spencer@jcu.edu
Suite B250 in the Administration Building