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M.A. Theology & Religious Studies

The M.A. in Theology & Religious Studies provides the flexibility to focus on your interests and professional goals. An optional thesis provides excellent preparation for doctoral studies. Our students have been accepted to graduate programs at Harvard Divinity School, Boston College, St. Patrick’s College (Maynooth, Ireland), Florida State University, the University of Dayton, and the University of Notre Dame, among others.

In addition, the M.A. program offers concentrations in Chaplaincy, Theological Education, and Pastoral Ministry.

The 30-credit-hour master’s degree can be completed either on campus or online.

More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.

  • All graduate programs are available both IN PERSON and FULLY ONLINE.
  • Once-a-week classes meet in the EVENINGS.
  • HY-FLEX model allows students to choose each week to participate on campus or via Zoom.
  • FULL-TIME and PART-TIME pathways.
  • CONCENTRATE in Theological Education, Pastoral Ministry, Chaplaincy, or Interreligious Studies.

M.A. Students may pursue a general program with maximum electives or concentrate in one of the following areas:

  • Pastoral Ministry - Earn the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry along the way to the M.A. - Fulfills the academic requirements needed to become a in the Diocese of Cleveland.  
  • Theological Education - Earn the Certificate in Theological Education along the way to the M.A. - Fulfills the academic requirements for high school religion certification in the Diocese of Cleveland.  
  • Chaplaincy - Through a partnership with the Center for Spiritual Care at the Cleveland Clinic, you can begin the process of becoming a board certified chaplain.

Applicants to the M.A. Degree Program should submit:

  • Online application form.
  • Transcripts of undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Written statement indicating personal interests, goals, and expectations from the degree program.
  • Two letters of reference from persons who are familiar with and able to assess the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies.
Study what matters most.

Program Highlights

The Master of Arts in Theology & Religious Studies is a 30-hour degree typically completed through 10 semester-long courses. Several concentrations allows students to choose the pathway that best matches their goals.

All M.A. Students take one course in each of four required areas:

  • TRS 5100 Scripture & Revelation
  • TRS 5300 Theological Methods
  • One Course in Ethics & Justice
  • One Course in Non-Christian Religions

Those pursuing the General M.A. Track take an additional six electives.

The Chaplaincy Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. and the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. As part of this track, students earn 6 of the 30 graduate credits by completing 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Spiritual Care. Three additional CPE Units are necessary to become a Board Certified Health Care Chaplain.

  • TRS 5100 Scripture & Revelation
  • TRS 51xx New Testament Topics
  • TRS 5300 Theological Methods
  • TRS 5320 Christ & the Paschal Mystery
  • TRS 5340 Church & Sacrament
  • TRS 5530 Catholic Moral Theology
  • TRS 5897 Clinical Pastoral Education (6 credits)
  • One Course in Non-Christian Religions
  • One Elective

The Theological Education Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. andÌý³Ù³ó±ð Certificate in Theological Education, satisfying the academic requirements for high school religion certification in the Diocese of Cleveland.

  • TRS 5100 Scripture & Revelation
  • TRS 5300 Theological Methods
  • TRS 5320 Christ & the Paschal Mystery
  • TRS 5340 Church & Sacrament
  • TRS 5530 Catholic Moral Theology
  • TRS 5380 Teaching Theology
  • One Course in Non-Christian Religions
  • Three Electives

The Pastoral Ministry Concentration fulfills all the requirements for the M.A. and the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, satisfying the intellectual formation requirements needed to become a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the Diocese of Cleveland.

  • TRS 5100 Scripture & Revelation
  • TRS 51xx New Testament Topics
  • TRS 5300 Theological Methods
  • TRS 5320 Christ & the Paschal Mystery
  • TRS 5340 Church & Sacrament
  • TRS 5530 Catholic Moral Theology
  • One Course in Non-Christian Religions
  • One Elective in Pastoral Theology or Interreligious Studies
  • Two Electives*

*One of the electives may be a course in Canon Law taught at St. Mary's School of Theology, which is require for diocesan certification.

The Department of Theology & Religious Studies offers a remarkable breadth of faculty expertise, with notable scholars of the Bible and early Christianity, Judaism and rabbinics, Islamic Studies, contemporary Catholic theology, moral theology, and the sociology of religion.

Meet our Faculty

All ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ TRS courses are offered in hyflex format, giving students the opportunity to choose each week whether to come to campus or to Zoom into class discussion. There is no residency requirement; the entire program can be completed remotely. This is not your typical online program. You will interact with classmates and faculty every week in real time, just as if you are in the room with the rest of the group. Synchronous-only online classes reflect our commitment to education as an ongoing conversation.

Students benefit from the programs and initiatives made possible by four major endowments within the Department of Theology & Religious Studies:

Course Descriptions

For a list of upcoming graduate courses and course descriptions, click here or visit the .

Students in Hallway

Catholic Commitment

Our Jesuit, Catholic Mission inspires programs that serve the Catholic community of Cleveland and beyond.

Students Visiting Sukkah

Interreligious Engagement

Endowed Chairs in Jewish Studies, Islamic Studies, and Interreligious Studies support a religiously diverse slate of courses and programs.

¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Northeast Map

Theology & Religious Studies Alumni Across the Region

¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ University alumni live, work, teach and support communities throughout the region from Northeast Ohio to Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Columbus, Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh, New York City, Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.