Program of Study
The M.A. degree is a part-time degree composed of 36 academic credits. These credits are divided between required coursework (18 credits), elective courses (15 credits), and the student’s summative capstone research project (three credits).
Throughout their studies, Hybrid Online students are also required to complete a “format requirement” by coming to campus for two symposia courses and their capstone. Each of these three campus visits will be for three to four days during late June or early July in two sequential summers of study. Symposia courses investigate topics in evangelization with regard to both culture and media.
MA Program Handbook [PDF, 149k]
Brandon Hester
2024 Graduate
As a husband, father of five, and pastor of a church, I was looking for an intellectually stimulating yet flexible graduate program to further my education. The M.A. program at Notre Dame has proven to be just that. With the unwavering guidance and support of the faculty, I achieved my academic goals while continuing to fulfill daily life roles. During my time in the program, I also gained a community of lifelong friends. I was sad to see my time come to an end. The M.A. program at Notre Dame truly is a family championing families.
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Brandon Hester
2024 Graduate
As a husband, father of five, and pastor of a church, I was looking for an intellectually stimulating yet flexible graduate program to further my education. The M.A. program at Notre Dame has proven to be just that. With the unwavering guidance and support of the faculty, I achieved my academic goals while continuing to fulfill daily life roles. During my time in the program, I also gained a community of lifelong friends. I was sad to see my time come to an end. The M.A. program at Notre Dame truly is a family championing families.
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Greg Miller
2023 Graduate
Choosing Notre Dame from an academic perspective was an obvious choice. Yet the true value of my relationship with the University is so much greater. The faculty, my fellow students, and alumni have added tremendous value in shaping my perspective on the world and my place and responsibility within it.
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Isaiah Jones
2022 Graduate
The Master of Arts in Theology program at Notre Dame changed my life. Working with phenomenal faculty, staff, and students prepared me to be a Catholic leader in my field. I reflect daily on how to build on what I learned and witnessed in order to better direct myself and others toward the good that all desire.
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Timothy O’Malley
Associate Director for Research, McGrath Institute; Academic Director, Notre Dame Center for Liturgy; Professor of the Practice, Theology
I've taught in the M.A. program for over 10 years. What I love about teaching our M.A. students is the sheer diversity of life experience that I encounter in this program. If I'm teaching theological aesthetics, I find myself learning from a student who is a CEO of a company or has recently transitioned from a career on Wall Street to studying theology. In sacramental theology courses, I find myself reading essays from parish catechists, Catholic school teachers, and military chaplains. As a teacher and scholar, having such a rich array of students from throughout the United States has taught me a good deal about emerging needs in U.S. Catholicism. I'm a better theologian because of the M.A. program.
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Kristi Haas
Alumna and Assistant Teaching Professor
Students in the M.A. in Theology form a dedicated, welcoming community of learners who are a joy to teach! In my M.A. courses in Ecclesiology, Spiritual Theology, and Theological Integration, students have opportunities to contemplate deeply the theological tradition along with invitations to envision their spiritual lives and service to the Church in light of this new understanding.