The Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University deeply cares for the effectiveness of the MA programs offered at the University. We seek to be a program that is a service not only to our students, but to the wider Church. As an urban-based program in Los Angeles, LMU has a unique student profile and seeks to adjust its program to meet the needs of both an urban student community and an urban church.
The data represented here combines two sources to which the Department pays close attention: (1) Institutional Data, (only available for the last 5 years), and (2) The results of the first “comprehensive” survey of ALL Graduates of the MA programs at LMU, completed in 2016.
2014 STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS of ALL GRADUATES:
Percentages of Total Graduates:
MA in PASTORAL THEOLOGY…………47.17%
MA in THEOLOGY………………………..52.83%
AGE OF OUR STUDENTS
One of the unique aspects of the program at LMU is the large range of ages of our students. In fact, the majority of our students are already employed and over the age of 40, or planning a change in their professional status.
Younger than 25………………..7.55%
25-30……………………………26.42%
30-40……………………………13.21%
40-50……………………………28.30%
Over 50…………………………24.53%
What did the LMU M.A. lead to?
A professional position I would not have had otherwise………..40.82%
A better situation in my current employment……………………26.53%
More responsibility in the Church, but still voluntary…………..14.29%
My profession was not a factor in my decision to get the MA….30.61%
TIME TO DEGREE COMPLETION
Overall, because of the unique composition of our Graduate Student community (over 50% over the age of 40) and a majority already employed, the speed of the program was a less important priority. Nevertheless, completion times are featured below:
Three Years………….…………………67.31%
Four Years……………………………..21.15%
Five Years or More………………….11.54%
REASONS GIVEN FOR ENROLLING IN EITHER MA PROGRAM:
Personal Interest in the subject…………………………….64.15%
Personal decision to seek Professional Advancement…….39.62%
Professional Encouragement from work…………………..22.64%
THE TOP THREE AREAS THAT STUDENTS FOUND MOST USEFUL:
81.13%.....Ability to think about issues Theologically
79.25 %....Better Understanding of Theological Ideas
28.30%.....Better Understanding of the Work of the Church
In addition, it is important to note that 75% of the Graduate Students reported “feeling part of a community of Graduate Studies” as a significant part of their program, and 80.77% reported that they were able to take the classes they wanted at the time they wanted them.
2016 STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS of ALL GRADUATES:
Percentages of Total Graduates:
MA in PASTORAL THEOLOGY…………36%
MA in THEOLOGY…………………………..64%
EMPLOYMENT BEFORE/DURING MA?
YES………………….94%
NO……………………6%
EMPLOYMENT AFTER COMPLETING MA?
NOT EMPLOYED…………………5%
NO CHANGE………………………28%
NEW JOB/PROMOTION……..67%
TIME TO DEGREE COMPLETION
3 YEARS……………………..75%
4 YEARS……………………..11%
5 YEARS OR MORE…….14%
INSTITUTIONAL DATA
TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN BOTH PROGRAMS (2016): 82
THE MA IN THEOLOGY
2012: Total Students in Theology MA Program: 44
Fall Term, Admitted Students………….19……….Enrolled…………..10
2013: Total Students in Theology MA Program: 35
Fall Term, Admitted Students…………..11…….Enrolled……………7
2014: Total Students in Theology MA Program: 37
Fall Term, Admitted Students………..…22…….Enrolled…………..13
2015: Total Students in Theology MA Program: 44
Fall Term, Admitted Students………..…21…….Enrolled…………..15
2016: Total Students in Theology MA Program: 33
Fall Term, Admitted Students………..…14…….Enrolled…………..5
Theology MA Degree, Years to Complete Degree (Average):
Enrolled in 2015………….4.4 Years
Enrolled in 2016………….4 Years
THE MA IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY
2012: Total Students in Pastoral Theology MA Program: 44
Fall Term, Admitted Students………….29……….Enrolled…………..28
(These numbers reflect a satellite program off campus that begins every 3 years)
2013: Total Students in Pastoral Theology MA Program: 46
Fall Term, Admitted Students……….…..15……….Enrolled………….11
2014: Total Students in Pastoral Theology MA Program: 50
Fall Term, Admitted Students……………12………..Enrolled…………..8
(These numbers reflect a satellite program off campus that begins every 3 years)
2015: Total Students in Pastoral Theology MA Program: 59
Fall Term, Admitted Students……………37………..Enrolled…………..33
2016: Total Students in Pastoral Theology MA Program: 49
Fall Term, Admitted Students……………9………..Enrolled…………..5
Pastoral Theology MA: Years to Complete Degree (Average):
Enrolled in 2015……………..4.5 years
Enrolled in 2016……………..3.3 years