Theological Studies Graduate Programs

M.A. in Theological Studies Course Requirements

• The M.A. Theology Requirements  can be found by clicking on the link or it can be found below
• The MA Theology Checklist 2023-24 can be used to track your progress (especially during advisement sessions).

M.A. in Theological Studies Degree Requirements

All students must complete 42 semester hours, maintaining a minimum grade point average of "B" (3.0). All courses are 3 semester hours, unless otherwise noted.

Core Courses (21)

The following seven courses (21 semester hours) are required.

• THST 6010 Foundations of New Testament Theology or THST 6000 Foundations of Old Testament Theology
• THST 6020 Foundations of Historical Theology or any one course from 6020s
• THST 6030 Introduction to Systematic Theology
• THST 6060 Foundations of Theological Ethics
• THST 6090 Graduate Pro-Seminar (taken in the first semester)
• THST 6092 Comprehensive Exam Seminar (taken during final year in the Fall semester after 36 hours are completed)
• THST 6093 Directed Research and Writing Seminar (taken during final year in the Spring semester after 36 hours are completed)

Elective Courses (21)

Theology Students are to complete an additional 21 semester hours for a total of 42 semester hours. After 36 semester hours are completed, students may enroll in the Comprehensive Exam Seminar and the Directed Research Seminar.

Concentration in Comparative Theology

Theology students may choose to take elective courses that develop a concentration in Comparative Theology. The Concentration in Comparative Theology serves students who wish to focus their program more specifically around questions of religious diversity, interreligious dialogue, world religions, and comparative theology. The concentration is comprised of four courses (12 semester hours). Students who wish to do this concentration are required to take:

• THST 6080 Comparative Theology

In addition, students are required to take three (3) of the following (or other courses approved by the academic advisor in concert with the graduate director):

• THST 6033 Feminist Theology
• THST 6081 Comparative Religious Ethics
• THST 6082 Comparative Mysticism
• THST 6083 Hinduism, Vedanta, and Yoga
• THST 6084 Buddhism
• THST 6085 Classics of Chinese Philosophy
• THST 6086 Readings in Religious Literature
• THST 6087 Jainism

Capstone Experience

To complete the program, you must turn in various forms required by our Capstone Experience criteria.

START YOUR APPLICATION

All students must complete 42 semester hours, maintaining a minimum grade point average of "B" (3.0). All courses are 3 semester hours, unless otherwise noted.

Core Courses (24)

The following eight courses (24 semester hours) are required:

• THST 6010 Foundations of New Testament Theology or THST 6000 Foundations of Old Testament Theology
• THST 6030 Introduction to Systematic Theology
• THST 6060 Foundations of Theological Ethics or One Course from the Historical Area (6020s)
• THST 6070 Foundations of Pastoral Theology
• THST 6074 Spiritual Formation for Pastoral Ministry
• THST 6078 Supervised Pastoral Field Education
• THST 6090 Graduate Pro-Seminar (taken in the first semester)
• THST 6091 Pastoral Synthesis Project (taken after completion of 36 hours)

Elective Courses (18)

Pastoral Theology students are required to take one course (3 semester hours) in either Liturgy, Religious Education, or Spirituality and select other elective courses offered by the Department of Theological Studies after consultation with their advisor. The program is designed to allow students to pursue general interests or a particular concentration. Concentrations are offered in two areas: (1) Pastoral Leadership and (2) Spiritual Direction. Under special circumstances, students may take up to two courses (6 semester hours) outside the department.

Concentration in Spiritual Direction

This concentration is designed for anyone in the Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology who would like to acquire the art of Spiritual Direction, a ministry of accompanying others in their spiritual journey. The purpose of the concentration is to provide a course of studies that integrates Theology, Scripture, Psychology, Spirituality, skills acquisition, and supervision in the art of Spiritual Direction. Students who wish to concentrate their electives in spiritual direction would take the following four courses in sequence:

• THST 6051 Theory and Practice of Spiritual Direction
• THST 6052 Ignatian Spirituality
• THST 6053 Psychological Foundations of Pastoral Ministry
• THST 6054 Practicum and Supervision in Spiritual Direction

Concentration in Pastoral Leadership

This concentration is designed to educate those who will serve (or who currently serve) as leaders in pastoral settings, either as leaders in specialized ministries or as leaders in general ministry positions. Examples of leaders in specialized ministry: Directors of Religious Education, Directors of Youth Ministry or Campus Ministry, Directors of Catechumenate/RCIA. The concentration is deliberately open to the students to design under the guidance of the academic advisor. In this way, students who find themselves actively engaged in, or aspiring to, leadership ministries within schools or parishes will choose courses for the concentration that fit their current or aspired ministry commitments. Students who choose to do this Concentration are required to take:

• THST 6070 Foundations of Pastoral Theology, and
• THST 6073 Theory and Practice of Pastoral Leadership

In addition, students are required to take two (2) of the following (or other courses approved by the academic advisor):

• THST 6040 Liturgical Theology: History and Interpretation
• THST 6041 The Rites
• THST 6071 Pastoral Approaches to Religious Education
• THST 6043 Faith and Culture: Catechesis in Southern California
• THST 6075 Pastoral Liturgy
• THST 6076 The Theology of the Parish
• THST 6077 Special Topics in Pastoral Theology
• THST 6053 Psychological Foundations of Pastoral Ministry

The MA Pastoral Theology Checklist 2023-24 can be used to track your progress (especially during advisement sessions).

Capstone Experience

Learn more about the capstone experience.

START YOUR APPLICATION

SEMESTER: Fall 2025

COURSE TITLE: Foundations of Old Testament Theology

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6000.01

TIMES/DAYS: T 6:00-8:30PM

INSTRUCTOR: Rosanna Lu

CORE/ELECTIVE: Core MA Theology and Core Pastoral Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This graduate seminar on Old Testament Theology is a survey of the Old Testament with particular attention to contemporary issues in Old Testament theology. This course focuses on the development of ancient Israelite traditions as well as development of interpretations of the biblical text. Students will critically examine selected biblical texts representing issues of social, societal, political and theological concerns. Students will also critically engage with the biblical text in comparative consideration of contemporary conceptualizations of social justice, power dynamics and spirituality.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course will: (1) acquire basic familiarity with the content, context, and history of interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, (2) examine and critically evaluate the development of religious traditions throughout the span of ancient Israelite history, (3) develop skills in critical approaches to the study of the Old Testament, and (4) acquire basic familiarity with contemporary theological issues in relation to Old Testament studies.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None

REQUIRED TEXTS
1.    Bible – New Revised Standard Version
2.    David Carr, An Introduction to the Old Testament: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts of the Hebrew Bible
3.    Additional readings on Brightspace

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
1.    Readings – students are expected to complete all readings prior to each class session
2.    Participation – students are expected to lead and engage in discussion of readings and research
3.    Written assignments, research paper, and presentations

SEMESTER: FALL 2025
COURSE TITLE: Care of our Common Home
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION: THST 6035
TIMES/DAYS: W 4:30 – 7:00 PM. University Hall 3786, Hybrid Course 
INSTRUCTOR: Cecilia González-Andrieu, PhD.
CORE/ELECTIVE: Elective

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS

In 2015, Pope Francis addressed an Encyclical to the world titled Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home. This document, the fruit of lengthy consultation with climatologists, economists, scientists and theologians from the world’s major religions begins by expressing praise as the result of human gratitude when encountering wonder.  A substantial document of over 80 pages, Laudato Si repeatedly speaks about beauty and wonderment, pointing theologians to its best interpretive tool: an engaged and liberative theological cosmology based on the unity of aesthetics and ethics.  Spurred by the encyclical we explore the questions posed by the climate crisis in light of the Christian tradition.  Using a five-step methodology developed from theological aesthetics, Liberation and Feminist theologies and Ignatian spirituality, we journey through the course by studying, experiencing, and dreaming up, creative ways to extend the encyclical’s vision of Creation to our context so it may ably serve our communities of accountability.   

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students successfully engaged in this course will: a) Know the central contours of theological methodology incorporating multiple strands into a five -step process. b) Know and develop proficiency in engaging complex texts in environmentalism, ecological harm, theological cosmology and eco-theology. c) Be able to write well and present their findings orally. d) Be able to actively engage and reflect upon the complex work of wrestling with an ancient religious tradition as it engages robustly with urgent current issues. e) Extend their critical engagement with theological questions through the production of original theological thought in academic writing, participant observation and multimedia presentations.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND

This is a graduate seminar.

REQUIRED TEXTS
1.    Pope Francis, On Care for our Common Home, Laudato Si. Available online from the Vatican. Those who have Spanish proficiency are encouraged to read the Spanish text.
2.    John Muir, Spiritual Writings, Orbis Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-62698-035-8
3.    Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, Houghton Mifflin, Anniversary Edition, 2002, 978-0618249060.
4.    Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ. Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril, Orbis Books. ISBN: 978-1626983090
5.     Alejandro García-Rivera, The Garden of God: A Theological Cosmology, Fortress Press, 2009. 
ISBN: 978-0-8006-6358-2
6.    Other readings and materials will be made available through BRIGHTSPACE.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS

1. Reading: All assigned readings are due prior to the class meeting. 
2. Participation: In class discussions, presentations and processes, engaged field work outside of class with a non-profit organization involved in ecological justice.
3. Writing and presentations: Participation in discussion board, several short papers, oral presentations, field work and midterm multimedia report and a final research paper/project/presentation. 

SEMESTER:  FALL 2025

COURSE TITLE: Psychological Foundations in Spiritual Direction
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:  THST 6053
TIMES/DAYS: Thursdays 7:20-9:50PM
INSTRUCTOR: William Roozeboom
CORE/ELECTIVE: Spiritual Direction Concentration

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This course explores the psychological facets of pastoral caregiving and ministry, particularly the ministry of spiritual direction as a helping relationship. Emphasis is placed on the skills and capacities necessary to cultivate safe and sacred space for effective ministry and spiritual direction. Such skills and capacities include: the basic ingredients of a helping process (warmth, genuineness, respect, curiosity, etc.), listening and communication skills, and, most importantly, self-awareness and self-reflective processing in ongoing formation and transformation as a pastoral caregiver. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.    Understand and differentiate spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, and psychotherapy. 
2.    Be able to article the role of spiritual direction in the faith journey and the role of the spiritual director in assisting others in deepening their faith journey. 
3.    Understand and demonstrate the skills and capacities required for pastoral caregiving and spiritual direction. 
4.    Reflect theologically and critically on situations and issues of ministry in a complex and diverse world to a develop a “working theology of ministry” that is able to meet the needs of various groups, both within and outside of Catholic contexts. 
5.    Deepen self-knowledge, noting key strengths and vulnerabilities, especially from one’s family-of-origin experience, and how they shape one’s personal and pastoral identity in ministry. 

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None. 

REQUIRED TEXTS
Pickering, S. (2008). Spiritual direction: A practical introduction. Hymns Ancient & Modern. Available as an ebook in the LMU library.
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.electra.lmu.edu/lib/lmu/detail.action?docID=3306190
Harborne, L. (2012). Psychotherapy and spiritual direction: Two languages, one voice?. Taylor & Francis Group. Available as an ebook in the LMU library. 
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.electra.lmu.edu/lib/lmu/detail.action?docID=903421
Hamman. (2014). Becoming a pastor: forming self and soul for ministry (Second edition). Pilgrim Press.
McGoldrick, McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Petry, S. S. (2008). Genograms: assessment and intervention (3rd ed). New York: W.W. Norton.
Richardson. (2005). Becoming a healthier pastor: family systems theory and the pastor’s own family. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Wosket, V. (2006). Egan's skilled helper model: Developments and implications in counselling. Taylor & Francis Group. Available as an ebook in the LMU library.
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.electra.lmu.edu/lib/lmu/detail.action?docID=3060542

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
•    Weekly attendance and participation for class sessions either in person or online 
•    Weekly learning summary and responses from the course readings, lectures, and other materials
•    Each student will provide 10–12-minute video demonstration of a mock spiritual direction conversation and provide a written 2–3-page reflection of the experience.  
•    Each student will provide a four-generation genogram of their family-of-origin and an accompanying analysis Paper (20 pages). 

SEMESTER: FALL 2025
COURSE TITLE: Foundations of Theological Ethics
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION: THST 6060
TIMES/DAYS: M 7:20-9:50
INSTRUCTOR: Roberto Dell’Oro
CORE/ELECTIVE: Core MA Theology and Core MA Pastoral Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS

The class will introduce students to the foundations of theological ethics. After an introductory part, dealing with different models of ethical thinking, the class comprises different parts. It looks at the biblical sources of moral theology, the mediation of faith and moral reason, with special reference to the relation of philosophical and theological ethics, the ecclesial dimension of Christian morality, the debate on normative theories and the integration of virtue ethics, the place of conscience and discernment in moral decision-making, fundamental moral option and action theory. Applications to contemporary issues in the fields of bioethics, social, and sexual ethics, as well as pastoral theology will exemplify the meaning and function of different foundational frameworks, and the relation between theory and practice in moral theology. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

To introduce students to basic methodological questions in fundamental moral theology
To learn critical tools for ethical decision making
To relate foundational frameworks to concrete normative problems
To understand how theological themes inform and shape moral arguments and ultimately moral life.  

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND

Undergraduate degree

REQUIRED TEXTS

Maureen Junker-Kenny, Approaches to Theological Ethics: Sources, Traditions, Visions (T&T Clark: London, 2019)

Richard M. Gula, Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of Catholic Morality (New York: Paulist Press, 1989)

Klaus Demmer, Shaping the Moral Life: An Approach to Moral Theology, transl. by Roberto Dell’Oro (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2000)

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS

This graduate course is a combination of lectures and student participation through discussion sessions. Assignments include one written in-class presentation, two regular essays, and a research paper (15-20 pages) by the end of the semester.  The midterm will be a take home exam.  There is no final exam.

Semester: Fall 2025
Title:  Supervised Pastoral Field Education
Course Number:  THST 6078-01 
Section Times/Days:  Wednesdays, 7:20-9:40 pm, UH 3786 (THST Conf Room)
Instructor:  Dr. Brett C. Hoover
Core/Elective: Core MA Pastoral Theology

Description:  Drawing upon an interdisciplinary framework, this field education seminar addresses ministerial leadership (broadly construed), integrating theological competence gained during the student’s career at LMU with pastoral analysis practices and ministerial skills. The course is aimed at the whole person in the service of faith communities for the sake of God’s Reign. In a dialogical classroom context that models collaborative ministry, THST 6078 seeks to 1) engage students in pastoral theological reflection on their ministerial context and work, and 2) promote further skill development in important ministerial skills, such as synodal listening and public speaking / preaching. In seminar format (and with a mentor), the class reflects together on experiences students have either at their full-time ministry or in some other approved ministry environment. This enables students to weave together theological, ministerial, and other insights and understandings.

Learning Outcomes: As a result of this course, students will be able to:

• make use of pastoral theological methodologies in theological reflection;
• articulate with appropriate terminology the connections between their experiences of ministry and the theology they are learning;
• articulate key contextual factors—environmental, cultural, psychological, spiritual and ecclesial—that impact particular ministry sites and pastoral questions;
• articulate their own theology of ministry informed by theological sources;
• facilitate work and learning groups;
• engage in public prayer or spiritual reflection leadership, and in effective oral presentation (preaching).

Pre-requisites:  THST 6090 (Graduate Proseminar), THST 6000 or 6010 (OT or NT), THST 6070 (Pastoral Theology), and either THST 6060 (Ethics) or 6030 (Systematic Theology).

Required Texts:
Jeffrey H. Mahan, Barbara B. Troxell, and Carol J. Allen in Shared Wisdom: A Guide to Case Study Reflection in Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993).
Christian Scharen, Faith as a Way of Life: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008).
Anthony Gittins, Living Mission Interculturally: Faith, Culture, and the Renewal of Praxis (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016).

Course Work: Expectations include some form of ministry for 5-8 hours per week (standing ministry jobs okay), regular meetings with a field mentor, a ministry journal, an interview, prayer or spiritual reflection leadership, an oral presentation or preaching, and a theology of ministry paper.

SEMESTER:  Fall 2025

COURSE TITLE:  Comprehensive Exam Seminar
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:    THST6092.01
TIMES/DAYS: Wed 7:20 – 9:50pm
PROFESSOR:  Nancy Pineda-Madrid

CORE/ELECTIVE: Capstone for MA Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This is the required comprehensive exam seminar for all MA in Theology students. While drawing on students’ previous course work, the seminar also requires students to study additional sources that will help them integrate their theological education and provide a foundation for their research projects. The comprehensive exam is administered as a part of the course requirements.  This is a Core course for the MA in Theology.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should be able to . . .  

• Review and assess major Christian thinkers
• Articulate and analyze major theological themes
• Appreciate the importance of recognizing an integral relation between theory, practice, and context.
• Exercise skill in “the art of doing theology” and skill in serving as a resource for communities and persons in their endeavor “to think and act theologically” in a life-giving manner for the common good.
• PLO 2 Engage in critical reflection on major theological themes, including the ability to articulate different perspectives and place them in dialogue;
• PLO 3 Perform critical historical analysis, reading & interpreting primary sources of theology in their broader context
• PLO 4 Situate contemporary theological developments in light of historical trajectories;
• PLO 8 Articulate multiple methods in theological studies and apply them in appropriate scholarly ways & contexts
• PLO 9 Engage critically with the Roman Catholic intellectual tradition, appreciating the internal diversity within Roman Catholic and wider Christian traditions, and articulating how an encounter with the Roman Catholic intellectual tradition enhances engagement with one’s own religious perspectives.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
30 semester hours completed, THST 6000/6010 Foundations of Old Testament/New Testament Theology, THST 6030 Introduction to Systematic Theology, THST 602x Historical Theology course, THST 6060 Foundations of Theological Ethics, and THST 6090 Graduate ProSeminar 

HYBRID COURSE 
Course will meet 5-6 times in person and the remainder of class meetings will be on Zoom.  

REQUIRED TEXTS
Irenaeus, Proof of the Apostolic Preaching   
Augustine, Confessions
Anselm, Cur Deus Homo
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae (Prima Pars)
Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz, El Divino Narciso
Karl Rahner, Foundations of Christian Faith
Gustavo Gutiérrez, A Theology of Liberation
Elizabeth Johnson, Ask The Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love
M. Shawn Copeland, Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Students can expect to spend a minimum of 7 hours each week working on course activities (reading, writing, research, etc) outside of the time that class meets.
1. 25% Seminar Discussion
2. 25% One general exam in theology
3. 25% Program Portfolio
4. 25% Research Proposal Drafts 

COURSE TITLE: Dynamics of Wisdom: Biblical Wisdom for the contemporary world

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION: THST 6998
DAYS/TIMES: Mondays 7:20-9:50pm
INSTRUCTOR:  Luísa Maria Almendra
CORE/ELECTIVE: Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever else you get, get insight. (Pr 4:7)

Biblical Wisdom became today one of the most reviewed and debated fields among the studies of Old Testament. Considering these recent studies, the main proposal of this course is to develop a recognition of the uniqueness of Biblical Wisdom’s Voice implied in the dialogues, questions, and provocations made by the main characters (the sage, human being, and God). Questions as to what Wisdom’s relationship to humankind is, or what implications are there for how we might image our relationships with God and each other, will be examined through the reading and interpretation of selected texts from the books of Proverbs, Job, and Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). Despite recognizing the vast distance between the ancient and modern worlds, these texts show a resilient concern with themes that traverse this space, revealing the significance of Biblical Wisdom in a contemporary context and why she matters in the modern world. In this context, themes such as the feminine sapiential framework and how Biblical Wisdom thinks decisively within frameworks of a theology of creation will be debated.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be better able to: (1) understand biblical wisdom more accurately and comprehensively; (2) debate what is and what is not Biblical Wisdom; (3) read biblical wisdom texts in a more scientific way; (4) understand the current dialogue between Biblical Wisdom and contemporary issues.
PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
Recommended background: Foundations of Old Testament Theology or Foundations of New Testament Theology

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS 
DELL, KATHERINE, Get Wisdom, Get Insight: An Introduction to Israel’s Wisdom Literature (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 2000).
HABEL, N.C. - WURST, S., The Earth Story in Wisdom Traditions, (Sheffield: Academic Press, 2001).
LONGMAN, T. – ENNS, P. (EDS.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2008).
PENCHANSKY, D., Understanding Wisdom Literature: Conflict and Dissonance in the Hebrew Text, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012).
PERDUE, L.G., Wisdom in Revolt: Metaphorical Theology in the Book of Job (JSOTSS 112; Sheffield 1991).
SNEED, MARK R., Was There a Wisdom Tradition? New Prospects in Israelite Wisdom Studies Ancient Israel and Its Literature 23 (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015).
Additional materials (as articles) will be distributed in class/posted to Brightspace.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Careful preparation of the course readings is expected. Assignments include short weekly responses, a written midterm exam, and a final research project.

COURSE TITLE: Graduate Proseminar
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6090
TIMES/DAYS: Mondays, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR:  Layla A. Karst
CORE/ELECTIVE: Core MA Theology/Core MA Pastoral Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This course introduces students to the graduate study of Christian theology. Christian theology is disciplined reasoning, thinking, and analysis, shown through reading, writing, and speaking, that pursues the questions raised by human beings as a result of their experience of the world and of the triune God.  Studying theology is neither catechesis (lifelong and life-wide formation in Christian faith) nor apologetics (defending Christian faith and its “rightness”). Doing theology means joining an ongoing historical dialogue that Christians call tradition.  In doing so, theologians analyze how and why diverse Christians from the past and present have expressed their faith as they have, but also continue to seek adequate ways to do so today. 
The Proseminar explores the Christian understanding of Divine Revelation and introduces students to the primary sources of theology: experience, scripture, liturgy, doctrine, and practice. Students will develop a theological vocabulary, practice reading and writing about both primary and secondary theological texts, and develop rudimentary skills for conducting theological research. This course will also explore some of the foundations of religious studies, that is, the discipline that considers religious traditions irrespective of one’s personal faith commitments. 
Class will meet on campus 6 times during the semester; all other weeks we will meet on Zoom.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to…

• Articulate what Christian theology is (and is not);
• Define and use the disciplinary vocabulary of Christian theology;
• Begin to understand how to responsibly read the primary sources of theology, including biblical, historical, doctrinal, and theological texts, as well as other artifacts and expressions from daily Christian life (e.g., liturgical practice, popular religion, and art), learning to honor the original context for these sources but also to connect them to contemporary theological questions, practices, and commitments;
• Recognize and interpret how theological ideas occur in response to the questions and challenges of different historical eras and different cultures.  
• Demonstrate the foundational mechanics of theological study at the graduate level (critical reading and writing, attention to context, research, and citation);
• Understand expectations and conventions for academic discourse and writing, including proper citation; and
• Build skills for theological library research.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND 
A willingness to pursue the questions and methods proper to the academic study of theology, even when that pursuit feels new, uncomfortable, or even threatening to one’s preconceived ideas about theology, tradition, or faith. 

REQUIRED TEXTS: 
•    Gaillardetz, Richard R. By What Authority: Foundations for Understanding Authority in the Church (Revised and Expanded Edition). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2018.
•    Gonzalez, Justo L.  Essential Theological Terms.  Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 2005.
•    Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. “They Say, I Say”: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing. 6th edition. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2024.
•    Johnson, Elizabeth A. Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God. New York, NY: Continuum, 2008. 
•    Yaghjian, Lucretia B.  Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers (New York: Continuum, 2006).  
Additional readings will be available on Brightspace.

COURSEWORK/EXPECTATIONS
Weekly reading assignments include primary texts, scholarly texts, and instructional texts and normally total no more that 80 pages.
Students will complete short weekly writing assignments, quizzes, and write two 5-7 page scholarly papers.

To see examples of courses offered in the past, view the Course Offerings Archive.

T‌he Capstone Experience for the M.A. in Theology consists of the Comprehensive Exam Seminar and Research and Writing Seminar/Thesis. For the M.A. in Pastoral Theology, the Pastoral Synthesis Project serves as the Capstone Experience.
 

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SEMINAR (FOR M.A. IN THEOLOGY)

COURSE TAKEN DURING FALL SEMESTER:
This is the required comprehensive exam seminar for all M.A. in Theology students enrolled in the 42-unit program. While drawing on previous course work, the seminar also requires participants to study additional sources that will help them integrate their theological education and provide a foundation for their research projects. The comprehensive exams will be administered as a part of the course requirements. Students are required to take two exams and produce a proposal for a Master’s thesis. The first exam covers general themes in systematic theology. The second exam is based on a bibliography reflecting a specific interest of the student. This exam is administered by a faculty member who has agreed to serve in this capacity with the consent of the course instructor. The research proposal is supervised by the faculty member who will eventually serve as the student’s thesis-director. This faculty member must be approved by the course instructor.

Comprehensive Exam Seminar Course Descriptions

Chicago Manual of Style

RESEARCH AND WRITING SEMINAR/THESIS (PRE-REQUISITE: COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SEMINAR)

COURSE TAKEN DURING SPRING SEMESTER:
This graduate capstone course is open to students who have completed the Comprehensive Exam Seminar. Building on the research proposal crafted in that course, students will develop a Master’s level thesis through careful research and analysis, rigorous argumentation, and creative theological reflection. Students will drive the class in terms of presenting their own work, working constructively to assess their colleagues’ writing, and discussing the theological, ethical, pastoral, and cultural implications of their collective work. The instructor will facilitate class discussions and establish milestones for the progression of the thesis. The instructor will also work with the external reader of the thesis, who will be assigned in consultation with the student, instructor, and Graduate Director. Thesis paper is approximately 30-40 pages in length.

• Thesis Preliminary Proposal
• Thesis Cover Page Sample
• Thesis - Notice of Successful Completion Form

Students submitting a Thesis or Pastoral Synthesis Project to fulfill their Capstone Experience are also encouraged to submit their research projects to the William H. Hannon Library - Digital Commons Library. Please fill out the library's online form in order to submit your thesis/PSP:

• Project Submission Form for Hannon Library – Digital Commons Library

The library provides instructions for any students who may need assistance filling out the form:

• Instructions for Submitting to Digital Commons

Binding your Thesis: While students are no longer required to bind their Thesis or Pastoral Synthesis Projects, they are welcomed to do so and printing guidelines can be found in the attachment below. Students are encouraged to print a copy for themselves as well as a copy to be donated to the Graduate Theological Studies Department Library (where future students can read and reference your excellent binding!):

• Pastoral Synthesis Project & Thesis- Printing & Binding Your Pastoral Synthesis

Need Further Assistance with your Thesis? Additional research tips and library resources can be found here:

• Hannon Library Resources

PASTORAL SYNTHESIS PROJECT (FOR M.A. IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY)

• Student Proposal Form PSP
• Pastoral Synthesis Project Cover Page
• PSP Completion Form
• PSP Requirements

 
Students submitting a Thesis or Pastoral Synthesis Project to fulfill their Capstone Experience are also encouraged to submit their research projects to the William H. Hannon Library - Digital Commons Library. Please fill out the library's online form in order to submit your thesis/PSP:

• Project Submission Form for Hannon Library – Digital Commons Library

The library provides instructions for any students who may need assistance filling out the form:

• Instructions for Submitting to Digital Commons

Binding your Pastoral Synthesis Project: While students are no longer required to bind their Thesis or Pastoral Synthesis Projects, they are welcomed to do so and printing guidelines can be found in the attachment below. Students are encouraged to print a copy for themselves as well as a copy to be donated to the Graduate Theological Studies Department Library (where future students can read and reference your excellent binding!):

• Printing and Binding your Capstone Project

Need Further Assistance with your Pastoral Synthesis Project? Additional research tips and library resources can be found here:

• Hannon Library Resources

Theological Studies Reference Librarian

Theological Studies has a dedicated reference librarian, Alexander Justice, who is located in Room 126 of Hannon Library. The reference librarian is available to answer any questions you have regarding the library's resources and can even consult with you to find sources for your research papers. You may contact Alexander at 310.338.5947, or by email: Alexander.Justice@lmu.edu

Graduate Theological Studies LibGuide

Theology and Pastoral Theology students will find many helpful reference, research, and biblical studies tools on the Graduate Theology LibGuide website. Library call numbers, expert lists and directories, collections of theological texts by title and author, writing and citation guidelines, and information on various religious organizations are available. Video tutorials and research strategy guides can also be accessed from this page.

• Grad Theology LibGuide

Capstone Project Library Submission

Students submitting a Thesis or Pastoral Synthesis Project to fulfill their Capstone Experience are also encouraged to submit their research projects to the William H. Hannon Library - Digital Commons Library. Please fill out the library's online form in order to submit your thesis/PSP:

• Project Submission Form for Hannon Library – Digital Commons Library

The library provides further instructions for any students who may need assistance filling out the form:

• Instructions for Submitting to Digital Commons

There are many sources and types of assistance available to help finance your graduate education. This page offers guidance with respect to two primary types of financial assistance – Departmental Scholarships and University Scholarships – both accessible through a single application process. Additional information is provided below regarding Graduate Assistantship positions and Fellowship opportunities.

2025-2026 Graduate Theology Scholarship Application

Department Scholarship

The Graduate Theological Studies Department offers a Department Scholarship on the basis of demonstrated financial need and merit.

Students who wish to be considered for a Theological Studies Department Scholarship must file a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), in addition to filling out the current year's Graduate Theology Scholarship Application on the Financial Aid website. This Scholarship Application will need to be filled out and submitted for every semester that the student wishes to receive scholarship aid. FAFSA will need to be filed annually.

When filing your FAFSA, LMU's Federal School Code is #001234. The FAFSA is not required for international students.

For questions about the Departmental Scholarship, please contact the Theological Studies Program Administrator at 310.338.7772 or Jennifer.Scott@lmu.edu.

University Scholarships

In addition to the Department Scholarship offered by Theological Studies, LMU's Graduate Division offers the following scholarships to graduate student applicants across the University:

Catholic Teacher / Ministry Scholarship

• Award Amount: $1000 per 3-unit class (*for up to 2 courses per semester in Fall and Spring, and 1 course in Summer sessions)
• Eligibility: Applicants must teach full-time in Catholic Elementary or Secondary Education or work full-time in Catholic Ministry.
• Additional Materials: Applicants should include employment verification in the form of a signed statement from your employer on official letterhead along with their scholarship application.

Developing Countries Scholarship

• Award Amount: 100% of tuition
• Eligibility: Available to priests or members of a religious order (non U.S. citizens) who come from developing countries.
• Additional Materials: Applicants should include a copy of their R-1 visa and a one-page statement of intent along with their scholarship application.

Religious Scholarship

• Award Amount: 25% of tuition
• Eligibility: Applicant must be a member of the Catholic Clergy or Catholic religious orders.
• Additional Materials: Applicants should provide evidence of membership in a Catholic religious order or proof of Clergy along with their scholarship application.

For questions about any of these University Scholarships, contact the Graduate Division at 310.338.2721 or graduatescholarship@lmu.edu.

Financial Aid General Information

• Financial Aid Office
• Graduate Financial Aid
• Student Accounts Department

Below you will find a variety of information and forms pertaining to course checklists and requirements, transfer course approvals, independent study procedures, graduate assistantships, departmental scholarships, and filing an application for degree. Simply click the desired link and the form will be displayed in a different window.

COURSE CHECKLISTS AND REQUIREMENTS
Below are course checklists and requirements for both the M.A. in Theological Studies and M.A. in Pastoral Theology. Course checklists and requirements are applicable to each student based on the program in which they are enrolled:

• Theology MA Checklist 2023-24
• MA Pastoral Theology Checklist 2023-24

CHANGING YOUR PROGRAM, ADJUSTING TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION, APPLYING FOR TRANSFER COURSE CREDIT(S), AND COURSE WAIVERS
Below are forms needed to be filed with the Office of the Registrar (located in the Von der Ahe building, suite 150), if you wish to make a change of program  (i.e. changing from an M.A. in Theology to an M.A. in Pastoral Theology), petition an adjustment of your transcript information (i.e. adding or dropping courses), apply for transfer course credit for courses taken at institutions other than Loyola Marymount University, and/or degree audit adjustments (i.e. for course substitutions and/or course waivers):

• Change of Program
• Transfer Course Approval
• Petition for Degree Audit Adjustment
• How to View & Print Your Degree Audit

INDEPENDENT OR TUTORIAL STUDY COURSE
If you are planning to take, or wish to take, an Independent or Tutorial Study Course, please download and fill out the Independent and Tutorial Studies form with the professor you will be partnering with. Together you will need to prepare a syllabus with planned meeting times and assignments.

• Independent and Tutorial Studies

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
The Graduate Theological Studies Department offers several part-time, Graduate Assistantship positions. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. To be eligible, you must be enrolled full-time (6 units or more) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. More information can be found through the link below:

• Graduate Assistantships

GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL STUDIES GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The Graduate Theological Studies Department offers several different departmental grants based on factors such as financial need, merit, evidence of membership in a Catholic religious order, and employment verification for full-time teachers or ministers at a Catholic institution. Additional information regarding eligibility can be found here. You can download the general scholarship application below which can be used for one or more (dependent on eligibility) of the departmental grants offered. ‌

• Graduate Theology Scholarship Application on the Financial Aid website

APPLICATION FOR DEGREE
Graduate students who plan to graduate and participate in the May Commencement ceremony are required to file an application for degree with the Office of the Registrar (located in the Von der Ahe building, Suite 150). This application should be filed no later than the first week of the spring semester:
Application for Degree

Click on the following links to obtain information about the dates and process of registration.

NOTE: To register, you will need to log in to PROWL, so make sure to have your login and password. If you do not have them, please contact the Office of the Registrar. If you have forgotten your PIN, you can have it reset by presenting valid identification at the Office of the Registrar in the Charles Von der Ahe Building, Suite 150. You can also visit the Registrar's web page by clicking here.

• PROWL Login Website
• Real Time Schedule of Classes
• Current Course Descriptions

For both current and prospective students, this section provides you with additional information regarding Graduate-life resources available on our campus:

• On-Campus Housing
• Graduate Student Campus Ministry
• Graduate Students of Loyola Marymount University
• Graduate Theological Studies Journal and Newsletter, Fall 2024 ​

To listen, please click on the reflection below:

• A Pentecost Message of Hope
  Kim Harris, Ph.D

• Connections Between the Book of Lamentations and the Blues
  Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, Ph.D

• Connections Between the Three Traditions, All Focusing on Community
  Amir Hussain, Ph.D

• Optimism or Hope: A Theological Question
  Brett Hoover, Ph.D

• Reflection on Public Theology
  Cecilia González-Andrieu, Ph.D

• Reflection on the Metaphysics of Optimism vs Hope
  Matthew Petrusek, Ph.D