✵ Fall —June 30 ✵ Winter —November 30 ✵ Spring— November 30 ✵ Summer — April 30
Program Details
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
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.
Program Goals / Student Learning Outcomes
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The goal of the program is to provide students with academic Masters-level study of and engagement with the entire (Roman Catholic) Canon of the Christian Sacred Scripture
Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to:
Demonstrate graduate-level familiarity with the entire range of biblical books in the (Roman Catholic) Canon
Apply a range of biblical methods and hermeneutical principles (orally and in writing) to books/passages of Sacred Scripture
Prepare presentations on biblical topics which demonstrate a range of abilities including – the ability to use multi-media, evaluate and critique select biblical materials, facilitate a discussion or field questions based on the presentation and to engage positively with feedback
Demonstrate familiarity of the use of (sections of) the books of the Bible in the Lectionary
Demonstrate competence in relation to the use of biblical tools and resources (online or hard copies) such as concordances, lexicons, bible encyclopedias, commentaries, books, journals and more
Become a competent practitioner and facilitator of Bible-based practices such as Scripture study groups, retreats and Lectio Divina.
Curriculum & Degree Requirements
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Candidates must complete a total of 36 credit hours in Scriptural studies. No more than 12 credit hours of graduate studies completed in other graduate schools may be transferred. Ordinarily, credits earned more than ten years prior to admission will not be transferred. Candidates must complete:
26 credit hours of core courses
These courses cover the full range of biblical books in the Canon, provide historical background, and expose students to a diversity of exegetical methods.
‣ SS 6100 Canon and History ‣ SS 6200 Scriptural Hermeneutics or Interpretar la Escritura ‣ SS 7213 Wisdom Literature ‣ SS 7311 The Torah or La Torá ‣ SS 7312 Prophetic and Historical Literature of the OT ‣ SS 7331 Synoptic Gospels or Evangelios sinópticos ‣ SS 7333 Johannine Literature ‣ SS 7237 The Acts of the Apostles ‣ SS 7336 Pauline Literature or Cartas de San Pablo ‣ SS 7234 Hebrews and Catholic Epistles ‣ SS 7235 The Apocalypse
4 credit hours of Scripture Practicum
Students will be required to complete a Biblical Writing Project (2 credit hours) to strengthen and integrate their research and writing skills. They will also be required to take either a practicum in Supervised Lectio Divina (2 credit hours) or in use of The Bible in Retreats and Study Groups (2 credit hours). The practicums are particularly oriented to promote the personal growth and professional development of students; and to enable them to apply the scriptures in ways that serve the mission of the Church and promote ecumenism.
‣ SS 9202 Biblical Writing Project (required) ‣ SS 9201 The Bible in Retreats and Study Groups ‣ SS 9200 Supervised Lectio Divina
6 credit hours of elective courses
Students are required to take 2 credit hours in a biblical language and 2 credit hours in practical approaches to the use of Sacred Scripture (e.g. in contemporary issues, preaching, prayer, liturgy, catechesis, etc.).
A student is required to take at least 2 credit hours in a Biblical language.
‣ PS 7340 Evangelization and Faith Formation ‣ SS 7210 Africana Biblical Hermeneutics ‣ SS 7229 Praying the Psalms with Christ in the Liturgy ‣ SS 7231 Scripture for Preaching ‣ SS 7242 The Parables of Jesus ‣ SS 7285 Engaging Scripture Today ‣ SS 7276 Biblical Foundations in Spirituality ‣ SS 7250 Biblical Greek I ‣ SS 7251 Biblical Greek II ‣ SS 7260 Biblical Hebrew I ‣ SS 7261 Biblical Hebrew II
The candidate ordinarily completes 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. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for all courses applicable to the degree.
Tuition / Fees
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Fee Type
Cost
Notes
Credit
$885 per credit hour
Graduate Course Challenge Fee 20% of applicable
tuition rate per credit hour
Audit/Non-Credit
$445 per credit hour
Mandatory Fees (Per Semester)
Registration Fee
$60
Per semester
Comprehensive Semester Fee (1-5 credit hours)
$325
Includes Activity, Library, and Tech fees
Comprehensive Semester Fee (more than 5 credit hours)
$495
Includes Activity, Library, and Tech fees
One-Time Fees
Matriculation Fee
$80
Credit only
eTextbook Bundle Tool Fee
$60 - $70
One-time fee; up to 4 resources per course
Degree-Specific Fees
Master's Practicum Fee
$320
Continuation Fee (first two semesters)
$150
Per semester
Continuation Fee (after two semesters)
$435
Per semester
Graduation Fee
$270
Non-refundable
Dual Degree Fee
$295
Per semester
Additional Fees (As Applicable)
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
$85
Per CEU
Graduate Course Challenge Fee
20% of tuition rate
Per credit hour
Certificate Only Fee
$70
International Students Processing Fee
$105
Important: Please consult the OST Catalog for payment and refund policies. Additional financial information is available at www.ost.edu. OST reserves the right to change tuition and fee rates at any time.
See the Admissions & Registrations section of the OST Catalog or visit the Apply page for a full outline of Admission Requirements.
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.
BYBLOS
BYBLOS (Bring your Bible and Love of Scripture) is a new initiative at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio. It aims to build community among those who wish to learn more about the Word of God or long to delve deeper into the sacred texts. This network also seeks to promote the new MA Sacred Scripture program being offered at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio (available fully online)!
