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

COURSE TITLE: The Bible and the Blues
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998
TIMES/DAYS: TWO WEEK INTENSIVE: June 10-18
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Smith-Christopher
CORE AREA: Grad Course, Takes Place in Los Angeles and Chicago (Chicago, Fri. June 13 – Tuesday, June 17)
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
The Book of Lamentations comes from the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE, and became a book that was understood to express sadness not only for that event, but helped people to express sadness for many events in their lives – mainly in the Jewish tradition – although more recently Christian scholars have become more deeply interested in Lamentations and also the “Lament” Psalms (there are lots of them!).  What has this to do with “The Blues”?  Lamentations is arguably, “Hebrew Blues”.  To understand more about the Lament and Mourning traditions of the Hebrew Bible, we will compare this genre to one of the most powerful musical gifts of the African-American experience to the world – the tradition of “The Blues”, and specifically, “The Delta Blues” (Blues from the Mississippi Delta region as the river heads to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico).  Just as it is impossible to understand the book of Lamentations without understanding something of the suffering and events of the Babylonian Conquest and Exile (don’t worry – you are going to learn all about this!), so it is also impossible to fully appreciate the Blues without understanding its’ roots in the African-American experience (and you will learn about THIS, too!).
 
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Students will:
(1)          Develop an informed appreciation of “The Blues” as a musical form
(2)          Understand important aspects of the foundations of “The Blues” in the African-American experience.
(3)          Develop an understanding of the Biblical form known as a “Lament”
(4)          Have a basic understanding of modern study of the “Book of Lamentations” and its’ roots in the Exile experience of Ancient Israel
 
PREREQUISITE/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND – None
 
COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
 
Students will participate fully in the two-week intensive – lectures and discussion – and students will be responsible for a 13-17 page Research Paper one month after the return from CHICAGO, IL.
 
REQUIRED TEXTS (ALL AVAILABLE DIGITALLY!!!)

Cone, James, The Spirituals and the Blues: An Interpretation; Orbis, 1992. 
O’Connor, Kathleen M., Lamentations and the Tears of the World, Orbis, 2002.  
Elijah Wald, The Blues, A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2012) 
Spencer, Jon Michael, Blues And Evil. Univ Tennessee Press (1993) 
(NOT REQUIRED, BUT I LIKE IT)

COURSE TITLE: Comparative Theology

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6080-01, CRN 10110

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 -07:00 PM, University Hall 2002 / Online on Zoom

INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Amir Hussain

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Fulfills Theology / Pastoral Theology elective requirement; required for concentration in comparative theology. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS:

This course provides a review of the historical roots of the current situation of religious pluralism. It examines and evaluates relevant methodological proposals for comparative theology and clarifies the relationship of comparative theology to interreligious dialogue, the history of religions and the Christian theology of religions. It also offers an opportunity to engage in the practice of comparative theology through the interpretation of texts.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course students will: 1) demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practice of comparative theology, particularly as applied to the religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; 2) demonstrate that they have the ability to interpret texts and other cultural phenomena (such as music, rituals, myths, architecture) that have religious presuppositions or implications; 3) demonstrate that they will think both empathetically and critically about conflicting religious claims; and 4) through class participation and written assignments have improved their verbal and written skills.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND:

None

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Patterns of Faith Around the World, Oneworld, ISBN 978-1851681648

James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time, Vintage, ISBN 978-0679744726

Jack Miles, God in the Qur’an, Knopf, ISBN 978-0307269577

Jack Miles, Religion As We Know It: An Origin Story, W. W. Norton, ISBN 978-1324002789

Selected songs from Leonard Cohen, from Live in London and You Want It Darker

Lecture outlines and other readings supplied by the professor and available on Brightspace

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS:

15%    A review of not more than 5 pages on the Smith book.
65%     A research paper of not more than 15 pages.
            5% Outline.
            50% Research paper.
            10% Presentation about research paper
10%     Two theological reflections (about 2 or 3 pages each, worth 5% each) one about music, and the other about the course.
10%     Participation (which is more than simply attendance).

SEMESTER: Summer 2025 Session I

COURSE TITLE: Theory and Practice of Pastoral Leadership

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6073 01

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-7:00pm

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Hybrid course

INSTRUCTOR: Professor Sergio Lopez

CORE AREA: Not applicable

FLAGGED: Not applicable

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS

Drawing from the Judeo-Christian tradition, the discipline of leadership studies, and the lived experience of grass roots community organizing, this course invites students into an embodied exploration of theories and core practices that will enhance pastoral leaders’ capacities to exercise socially responsible and effective leadership in culturally diverse pastoral settings and communities of faith. The course is an elective open to all students but is required for the Concentration in Pastoral Leadership in the M.A. in Pastoral Theology.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Students will articulate the philosophical and theological roots underpinning a liberating, compassionate, and inclusive approach to pastoral leadership.
• Students will be able to explain the core characteristics of Servant-Leadership and will enhance their capacity to lead with listening.
• Students will be able construct a personal leadership narrative that articulates the core values of their philosophy of leadership, and they will be able to apply models of human development to gain insights for maturing in their psycho-spiritual growth.
• Students will be able to analyze the hidden dynamics of conflict and will gain theoretical frameworks and practices for navigating resistance to change in culturally diverse pastoral settings.
• Students will be able to integrate their learnings as they gain experience with the core leadership practices of community organizing such as communicating a story of self, conducting relational meetings, and mapping community/organizational power dynamics.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND

THST 6070 Foundations of Pastoral Theology (Recommended)

REQUIRED TEXTS
Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, NY: Harvest. ISBN 0-8264-1276-9
Greenleaf, R. K. (2012). The Servant as Leader. Indiana: The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.
Horsman, J. H. (2018). Servant-Leaders in Training: Foundations of the Philosophy of Servant-Leadership. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 978-3-319-92960-6
Law, E. H. F. (1993). The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-827242-31-9
Stone, B. P. (1996). Compassionate Ministry: Theological Ministry. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN 1-57075-069-6
Articles and other additional materials as assigned

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Attendance and participation in all class sessions.
This is a hybrid course which will be held once a week online and will have a minimum of 3 in person classes.
Engagement in all course readings and materials evidenced by four online postings per week.
Completion of three written assignments which will culminate in a 10-12 page Final Synthesis Paper.

COURSE TITLE: Bible and Comedy

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998-01

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesday/Thursday 4:00-7:00pm (Hybrid)

INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Emanuel

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Elective

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
What does the Bible have to do with comedy? Is it inappropriate to laugh with—or at—biblical texts? Considering the Bible as a collection of creative narrations, this course examines the role of humor within those narrations, particularly as it relates to the development of culture and communal identity. It also considers the role of biblical texts in comedy arts today, as well as within students’ own comic creations. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Our objectives are: To develop a vocabulary to talk about comedy studies in relation to biblical studies; to understand and recognize comedic techniques, types, and motifs; to recognize humor’s role in the building of individual and communal identities, including especially within the Bible and extracanonical literature; to reflect upon the subjectivity of humor; to apply our learning to our own comic constructs.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS 
The SBL Study Bible
John Morreall, Comic Relief

Additional readings will be posted on Brightspace.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this course is so intensive—there is substantial reading with minimal time to digest—students are not required to produce a substantial research project for this course. Rather, they are expected to delve deeply into the initial stages of exegetical work: Read! Explore! Compare! Think! Discuss! Students will also be expected to complete shorter assignments. Reflecting the collective work of comedy making, students will work in Writers’ Rooms (small groups) on reading responses and the creation of a Bible-inspired sketch. Students will also work individually on a poster project and an explainer video project. 

COURSE TITLE: History and Theology of Vatican II

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6098

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays 4:00-7:00pm (in person), Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm (online)

INSTRUCTOR: Layla Karst

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Elective

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This course provides students with an introduction to Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) by exploring its historical context, key documents, theological and pastoral significance, and its lasting impact on the Catholic Church today. We will begin by exploring the history and texts of the Council, with special attention to the interplay between tradition and reform. Following the conciliar spirit of “dialogue” between the church and the modern world, we will consider the wisdom and limitations of the Council’s vision in the areas of scriptural interpretation, liturgical practice, authority and decision-making, ecumenical and inter-religious relations, and religious freedom. Finally, we will examine the Council’s interpretation and reception in the church today, especially in Pope Francis’s vision of social friendship and the “synodal church.” 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By successfully completing this course, you will…
1.    Understand what happened at Vatican II and the historical significance of the Council.
By situating our texts in their ecclesial and historical contexts, you will grow to appreciate both the continuity and the changes that this Council inspired in Catholic beliefs and practices.
2.    Engage critically and reflectively in scholarly discourse around the theological ideas expressed in the major constitutions and decrees of Vatican II. This course will challenge you to engage with serious ideas about God, the church, and the world in a critical and constructive manner.
3.    Reflect on the pastoral implications of the Second Vatican Council and their reception in the Roman Catholic Church today.
4.    Learn to read primary texts critically and carefully by developing active reading skills that move you beyond mere understanding of the main claims of the text to creative and critical engagement with the texts’ context, authors, and interpreters.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS (Subject to Change)
Austin Flannery, Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations. Liturgical Press, 1996.
John O’Malley, What Happened at Vatican II? Harvard University Press, 2010.
Edward Hahnenberg, A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007.
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship. Paulist Press, 2020.

Additional readings will be posted on Brightspace.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this class is only six weeks long, students should plan to spend approximately 10-12 hours each week on reading, writing, and other course activities. Careful preparation of the course readings and engaged participation in both in-person and online class meetings expected. Assignments include four short analysis papers and a short research paper or final exam.

COURSE TITLE: Comparative Religious Health Care Ethics 

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998-01

TIMES/DAYS: Mondays 4:00-7:00pm (in person), Wednesdays 4:00-6:00pm (online)

INSTRUCTOR: Nicholas R. Brown 

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Fulfills Pastoral Theology elective requirement in ethics 

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
The normative relationship between religious traditions and medicine is a long and enduring one and often proves to be as fruitful as it does challenging. The purpose of this course is to probe this relationship further by examining the unique contributions different religious traditions can offer when addressing complex ethical questions that arise in modern medical practice and research. In particular, the course will compare and contrast how the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions evaluate bioethical topics surrounding the beginning and end of human life as well as organ transplantation and genetic medicine.   
. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course students should master the following competencies, as demonstrated in the weekly analysis papers, in-class article presentation, class discussion and participation, midterm exam and in a final exam paper: (1) systematic analysis of the nature of medical ethics in Judaism, Christianity or Islam, (b) applied analysis, and (c) comparative analysis; (2) the ability to critically reflect upon the nature of medical ethics in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam and question representations of these religions in bioethical discussions in general and in bioethical literature in particular; (3) the capability to succinctly and convincingly formulate arguments about applied bioethics in Judaism, Christianity or Islam; and (4) The capacity to critically compare and explain bioethical attitudes in different religions. 

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS (Subject to Change)
All assigned course texts are accessible via the course Brightspace page. 

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this class is only six weeks long, students should plan to spend approximately 10-12 hours each week on reading, writing, and other course activities. Careful analysis and interpretation of the assigned course readings and thoughtful discussion of these texts and related topics in both in-person and online class meetings expected. Assignments include weekly analysis papers, an in class presentation on either a scholarly article or book chapter a midterm exam and a final exam paper.

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