The Master of Arts (Spirituality) provides an in-depth understanding of Christian spirituality. Students will study various spiritual and mystical traditions. Graduates from this program will be valuable resources for renewal centers, spiritual direction, parish and retreat work in service of the Church’s mission and ministry in a culturally diverse and globalizing world.

Goal

Provide a comprehensive academic background in Christian Spirituality with an emphasis on principal classical and contemporary traditions.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion the student will be able:

1. To present a summary overview of major historical periods within the history of Christian spirituality by identifying various movements, spiritual schools, and relevant classical spirituality literature
2. To evaluate instances of Christian religious experience and dynamics of interior transformation as understood within the Christian mystical tradition
3. To describe and evaluate the various contributions to Christian spirituality which have emerged from within our culturally diverse society, notably with respect to Hispanic influences
4. To compare and contrast the Christian spiritual tradition with various non-Christian ones

Admission Requirements

See the section on General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies at Master’s Level. The recent completion of the MAT is required as an indicator of aptitude for graduate studies. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) results completed within the past five years may be submitted in lieu of the MAT score.

Degree Requirements

1. The candidate may complete the 36 credit program as a full-time student in two years. A part-time student can expect the program to take 3 to 4 years. Given the prerequisite of a previous degree, and 18 hours of previous studies in theology and philosophy (either within that degree or subsequent to it), graduates will, in essence, be completing this graduate degree with 54 hours of theology and philosophy, along with the intellectual foundation given them by their previous degree. No more than twelve (12) graduate-level (MA) credit hours may be transferred into the program from another institution toward the degree.
2. A student will be required to complete a final (three credit hours) thesis to demonstrate the level to which the goals of the program have been achieved.
3. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for all courses applicable to the degree.
4. Students are encouraged to seek spiritual direction during the course of the degree program.

Application for candidacy

MA (Spirituality) students will apply for candidacy to the MA (Spirituality) degree after successfully completing 12 graduate credits in required courses at OST. The Admission Committee, after consultation with the faculty, will decide on the applications for candidacy. Admission to candidacy is the faculty’s attestation that the student has demonstrated capacities to fulfill all the objectives for the degree and to complete the degree requirements.

Curriculum

• Core Courses (six 3-credit courses – 18 credit hours)
• TS 7369 An Overview of the History of Christian Spirituality
• TS 7371 Classical Christian Writers I
• TS 7373 Classical Christian Writers II
• TS 7365 Reading Religious Experience and the Discernment of Spirits
• SS 7330 Christian Discipleship in the New Testament
• TS 7370 Fundamental Principles of Spiritual Direction
• Elective Courses (five 3-credit courses – 15 credit hours)
• TS 9377 Thesis/Project MA (Spirituality) (3 credit hours)