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Courses

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Required core courses

  • Theology of Revelation

  • Trinity & Christian Salvation

  • Ecclesiology

  • Sacramental Theology

  • Fundamentals of Moral Theology

Electives courses

  • The Apologetics of Love

  • Catholic Social Teaching

  • Faith & Science

  • Roads to God

  • Eschatology

  • Prayer, Religion & Literature

  • The Early Church

  • Theology & Beauty

  • Johannine Literature

  • Mary & the Bible

  • God & Atheism

Special elective options

We have two “special options” open to all students: academic pilgrimage courses and “bundled” courses.

  • Academic pilgrimage courses are typically offered every other year. Destinations currently include: Jerusalem, Rome/Assisi/Siena, and Lourdes, France.

  • “Bundled” courses are thematic courses taken one credit at a time. For example, the course bundle in 2023–24 was on the thematic topic of gender: “Genesis of Gender” (summer 2023) + “Edith Stein’s Theology of Woman” (fall 2023) + “Pope St. John Paul II on Man & Woman” (spring 2024).

The Capstone Project

The Capstone Project is the summative exercise completing a student’s theological studies in the M.A. program at Notre Dame. The capstone involves academic research into a theological topic of importance to the life of the Church today. Students present their projects in a conference-style gathering during their final summer of studies.

 

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I have nothing but great things to say about the MA Program at the University of Notre Dame. The flexible class schedules allowed me to pursue grad school while beginning my career close to home. The courses were taught by some of the most passionate and knowledgeable university professors that I have ever met, making the courses interesting and engaging. The professors are very friendly, and they care about you doing well in their class. I was also able to make friends from different parts of the country and around the world. The community at Notre Dame is something that is very special here. Everyone strives to help each other be the best version of themselves and be successful no matter where life may take them.

– Carlos Mata, 2023 graduate
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Teaching in our program reminds me of the universality of the Christian faith and the importance of theology not only to ministry but to life. Together we bring faith and science into a dialogue that illuminates both perspectives and enriches us.

– Chris Baglow, professor of the practice, McGrath Institute for Church Life