Master’s Degree Deadlines
✵ Fall — June 30
✵ Winter — November 30
✵ Spring— November 30
✵ Summer — April 30
OST's Master's programs prepare students for diverse ministries in the Church through rigorous theological study and pastoral formation. Our programs combine theological depth with hands-on ministry training, preparing you for leadership in diverse cultural contexts and integrate academic excellence with practical ministry experience in a culturally diverse, mission-focused environment.
How to Apply
Select a program for a detailed application process in the tabs below.
Maestría de Artes en Ministerio Pastoral
La Maestría en Ministerio Pastoral es un programa de grado profesional “que brinda educación para la misión y el ministerio de la iglesia en el mundo”. (Declaración de propósito de OST, párrafo #1 en el catálogo escolar.) El programa de Ministerio Pastoral brinda a los estudiantes las bases necesarias para servir como asociados pastorales, coordinadores de liturgia, ministros de formación en la fe, ministros de jóvenes y otras áreas de cuidado pastoral.
3 años
Disponible en español
En línea
Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity degree is the first professional degree and is designed to provide a solid foundation in the various theological disciplines and in the development of ministerial skills in order to prepare candidates for ordained ministry and qualified laity for effective ministry in the Church. The degree prepares persons for pastoral ministry through academic study and supervised practice.
80 Credit Hours
5 years
Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry is a professional degree program which provides education for the church’s mission and ministry in the world. The Pastoral Ministry program gives students the foundation needed to serve as pastoral associates, liturgy coordinators, faith formation ministers, youth ministers, and other areas of pastoral care.
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
Master of Arts in Theology
The Master of Arts degree in Theology provides a professionally enriching experience in theological research in the context of Oblate School of Theology’s attention to evangelization and ministry in multicultural, collaborative, and ecumenically conscious environments. The degree is primarily an academic degree to prepare students for research at the doctoral level or for teaching at the secondary or college levels.
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
Master of Arts in Spirituality
The Master in Spirituality is designed to help students from a variety of Christian traditions deepen their understanding of Christian spirituality. Graduates will be valuable resources for spirituality and renewal centers, parish and retreat work, as well as other spirituality-related faith formation and educational programs in a culturally diverse and globalized world. Courses may be taken full-time or part-time and face-to-face or online.
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture
The Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture degree program provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the biblical Canon. Students will be exposed to the full range of biblical books and to a diversity of exegetical approaches, both ancient and contemporary.
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
Select your program for specific requirements.
Maestría de Artes en Ministerio Pastoral
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
Master of Arts in Theology
Master of Arts in Spirituality
Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture
See the Admissions & Registrations section of the OST Course Catalog for Graduate Studies at Master's Level.
Prerequisite for Master of Arts Degree-Seeking Students
Persons seeking admission to Oblate School of Theology should have satisfactorily completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. For students from other countries the following would be accepted as equivalent: a post-secondary baccalaureate degree awarded for academic study; a degree higher than the post-secondary baccalaureate degree awarded for academic study; or for Master of Divinity applicants educated in seminaries outside the United States or Canada, completion of all philosophical studies necessary for admission to theological education in their home country.
Students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree are encouraged to inquire about eligibility for a competency-based admission.
Usually, eighteen-credit hours of undergraduate philosophy/religious studies, including PL 4323 History and Method of Christian Thought and RS 4101 Reading the Bible, or their approved equivalents, are required before beginning graduate theology.
Admission for priestly ordination in the Roman Catholic Church is governed by the requirements of the Program of Priestly Formation as well as those of Oblate School of Theology. A limited number of mature applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree may, unless applying for the Master of Arts degree, be admitted to the School on the basis of extensive noncredit theological studies and experiences in ministry. Such studies and experiences must be demonstrated to have led to knowledge and skills equivalent to those of persons with baccalaureate degrees. The Academic Dean will determine the eligibility of these special students.
The Admissions Committee reserves to itself the right to admit or deny entrance to any applicant. Admission to graduate study does not imply admission to candidacy for a graduate degree. Application forms and instructions may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or on the School’s website. The applicant’s file be- comes the property of the School once an admissions decision has been made.
Deadlines for Masters Programs applications are:
✵ Fall — June 30
✵ Winter — November 30
✵ Spring— November 30
✵ Summer — April 30
See the Admissions & Registrations section of the OST Course Catalog for Graduate Studies at Master's Level.
General Requirements for Admission
Students applying for degree-seeking status at the master’s level must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the Oblate School of Theology and any special requirements for admission to a particular degree program.
Online Application
Complete the online application and submit with the application fee. This fee is non- refundable. (See Tuition/Fees Sheet for current price.)Official Transcripts
Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, undergraduate and graduate, reflecting degree(s) conferred from accredited U.S. institution or equivalent training at an institution outside the U.S. sent directly to OST. Student copies and unofficial transcripts are not acceptable.Goals and Objectives
A statement regarding the applicant’s intent for pursuing graduate theology.Biographical Information
A brief biography giving the genesis of commitment to theological studiesRecommendations
Three online recommendations, on forms provided by Oblate, attesting to the candidate’s religious, moral, and intellectual qualifications for ministry:One from someone in authority within the applicant’s denominational structures verifying his/her good standing;
One from someone who is qualified to attest to the applicant’s academic ability;
One from any person of the applicant’s choosing. The applicant sends the recommendation form to the recommender, who sends it directly to the Office of Admissions. For those students who have been accepted into formal collaborative formation programs, only one recommendation attesting to the applicant’s academic ability is required. That recommendation must be from the Director of the Formation Program.
Miller Analogies Test
Scores from entrance tests are used to advise students in course selections for their degree program. Native English language applicants are required to take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and provide an official copy of the score. Applicants with an earned Master’s degree are exempt from the MAT. Official score reports from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
The Oblate School of Theology code number is 2226 for the MAT. Note that these OST code numbers are normally not available in the information booklet or at the test centers.Proof of Meningitis Vaccine (for new students under age 22)
Effective October 1, 2013, a change to Texas State law (SB 62) mandates that all entering students under the age of 22 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to OST.
An entering student includes:A new student, including transfer students
A student previously enrolled in any institution of higher education following a break of at least one fall or spring semester. The vaccine must be received prior to the 10th day before the first day of the semester. The vaccine is available through your local health department, your Primary Care Physician, HEB, Walgreens, CVS and many other convenient care centers. Pricing will vary and is covered by most private health insurance at city-wide pharmacies.
Grade Release Form
For those students who have been accepted into formal collaborative formation programs, a Grade Release Form is required. By filling out the form, a student authorizes the release of Oblate transcripts, cumulative record and/or grades at the end of each semester to the person(s) or agency to keep them informed of the student’s academic progress.Interview with Program Director
Consultation with the director of the degree program for which the applicant is applying is strongly encouraged.
Normalmente se admite a la maestría a quienes hayan completado satisfactoriamente una licenciatura (B.A.) o título equivalente, emitido por una universidad reconocida. Pregunte por la posibilidad de entrar a través del programa de admisión por competencia, en el caso de que no cuentes con una licenciatura.
Fechas límites para solicitud:
Otoño — 30 de junio
Primavera — 30 de noviembre
Verano — 30 de abril
1. Complete la solicitud en-línea y haga el pago al final de la misma vía tarjeta de crédito. Esta tarifa no es reembolsable. (Consulte la hoja de matrícula / tarifas para conocer el costo actual.)
2. Enviar los documentos oficiales de los certificados de estudios (Transcripts) con los que Ud. cuente:
a) Del GDE y/o
b) De las licenciatura y postgrado, que reflejen los títulos
c) recibidos de una institución acreditada de EE. UU. y/o
d) Capacitación equivalente en una institución fuera de los EE.UU. Pedir a las instituciones educativas que envíen directamente a OST los documentos oficiales de los certificados de estudios. Las copias de los estudiantes no son aceptables.
3. Formulario de metas y objetivos
4. Formulario de información biográfica
5. Tres recomendaciones, estas formas las encuentra en-línea y se llenan ahí mismo. Certifican las capacidades religiosas, morales e intelectuales del candidato para el ministerio:
a) Una recomendación debe ser de alguien con autoridad dentro de la Iglesia o denominación religiosa que verifique su buena reputación.
b) Otra de alguien cualificado para dar fe de la capacidad académica del solicitante.
c) La última, de cualquier persona que elija el solicitante. El solicitante debe enviar el enlace del formulario de recomendación a la persona que lo recomendara para que él o ella lo envíen directamente a la escuela.
Para aquellos estudiantes que han sido aceptados en programas formales de formación en otras instituciones que colaboran con OST, se requiere una recomendación del director del Programa de Formación de dicha universidad que acredite la capacidad académica del solicitante.
Los estudiantes de MAMP pueden postularse para la candidatura al título después de completar con éxito 12 horas de crédito de cursos básicos de posgrado en Oblate School of Theology.
Consulte con la oficina de admisiones para conocer los requisitos generales de admisión para programas de nivel de maestría. Pregunte por la posibilidad de entrar a través del programa de admisión por competencia, en el caso de que no cuentes con una licenciatura.
Requirements for Master of Divinity
See the catalog section on General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies at Master’s Level.
Master of Divinity applicants who are also candidates for presbyteral ordination in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States must have 30 credit hours in undergraduate philosophy and 12 credit hours in undergraduate theology/religious studies as required by the U.S. Bishops’ Program of Priestly Formation.
In addition to the specified undergraduate requirements of History and Method of Christian Thought and Reading the Bible or their equivalents, applicants must have demonstrated skill and knowledge levels in the area of public speaking. If unable to demonstrate this competency, an additional undergraduate course, Rhetoric and Proclamation, is taken.
Requirements for Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
MAPM students may apply for candidacy to the degree after successfully completing 12 credit hours of core graduate courses at Oblate School of Theology. The Admissions 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 academic, spiritual, and professional objectives for the degree and to meet all degree requirements
Please consult the school catalog for General Admission Requirements for Master’s level programs.
Requirements for Master of Arts in Theology
See the section under General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies at Master’s Level.
Application for Candidacy
MA (Theology) students will apply for candidacy to the MA (Theology) 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.
Requirements for Master of Arts in Spirituality
This program is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing sustained academic study within the discipline of Christian spirituality. Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Completion of the GRE will be required to ensure that the student has the aptitude for graduate studies. The GRE requirement is waived for students who already have a master’s degree. Prerequisites include the completion of 9 hours of undergraduate theology and 9 hours of undergraduate philosophy. Applicants must submit three letters of reference indicating that the applicant has the requisite qualities necessary to complete the degree.
Requirements for Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture
Application Requirements
MA in Sacred Scripture students will apply for candidacy to the 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.
See the section in the Catalogue under General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies.