Byzantine Catholic Seminary Byzantine
 
 

Degree Programs

The Byzantine Catholic Seminary offers courses of study leading to two distinct graduate degrees: a Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) and Master of Arts in Byzantine Catholic Theology (M.A.T.).

1. Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) in collaboration with and from Duquesne University (inaugurated in Fall 2001)

This program features a concentration in Byzantine Catholic Theology and allows candidates to specialize in Sacred Scripture, Dogmatic Theology or Liturgy.

Applicants must have earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree or its equivalent. All candidates must complete all three introductory courses. Within the chosen area of specialization, (Scripture, Dogma or Liturgy) candidates must complete eighteen hours of course-work. Twelve additional hours of elective courses must also be completed. At least four courses (twelve hours) must be taken at Duquesne University including at least one course each in Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology and Sacred Scripture.

Introductory Courses

  • Introduction to Sacred Scripture (Seminary)
  • Introduction to Liturgy (Seminary)
  • Basic Theological Skills (Seminary; 2 hrs) or Theological Foundations (Duquesne)

Sacred Scripture
Seminary Courses
Pentateuch
Historical and Prophetic Books
Wisdom Literature and Psalms
Synoptic Gospels
Pauline Literature
Johannine Literature
Apostolic Writings

 
Duquesne Courses
Torah
Prophetic Literature
Wisdom Literature
Synoptic Gospels and Acts
Pauline Literature
Johannine Literature

 

Dogmatic Theology
Seminary Courses
The Holy Trinity
Christology
The Holy Spirit
Mariology
Ecclesiology
Theological Anthropology
Eschatology

 
Duquesne Courses
Christology
The Triune God
Ecclesiology
History of Christian Theology I
History of Christian Theology II
Theological Anthropology

 

Liturgy and Sacraments
Seminary Courses
(all of the following are required for the concentration in Liturgical Theology)
Theology of the Divine Liturgy
Theology of the Sacramental Mysteries
Theology of the Divine Office
Sacramental Mysteries of Initiation
Penitential Sacramental Mysteries
Sacramental Mysteries of Vocation

 
Duquesne Courses
(electives only)

Liturgical Studies
Theology of the Sacraments
Theology of Ministry

 

Moral Theology (electives)
Seminary Courses
Fundamental Moral Principles (required)
Catholic Social Teaching
Marriage and Sexuality
Contemporary Moral Issues

Moral Issues in Pastoral Ministry


Other Seminary Electives
Foundations of Spirituality I (2 hrs.)
Foundations of Spirituality II (2 hrs.)

 
Duquesne Courses
Foundations of Moral Theology
Catholic Social Thought
Interpersonal Ethics
Health Care Ethics
Special Issues in Health Care Ethics
Ecological Ethics
War and Peace in Christian Perspective

 

Other Electives as Offered by the Seminary and Duquesne University

 

Cost

  • Fees are paid separately to the Byzantine Catholic Seminary and to Duquesne University.
  • Duquesne University per-credit charge is reduced by 50%.
  • Per-credit charge for courses taken at the Seminary apply.
  • Incidental fees as required by Duquesne University for registration, examination, graduation, etc. apply.

Requirements

  • Application is made to the Byzantine Catholic Seminary which will supply needed paperwork for transfer privileges at Duquesne.
  • Application must be accompanied by official, sealed transcript showing undergraduate work and degree received.
  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Applicants with undergraduate degrees in areas other than the liberal arts may be required by Duquesne University to pursue propaedeutic courses in philosophy and religious studies prior to beginning the degree program for the MA.
  • The degree must be completed within 6 years.
  • Students must pass written comprehensive examinations.
  • A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Students with a GPA below 3.0 for 2 consecutive semesters will be required to withdraw from the program. Students with 2 grades of B- or lower in any semester are subject to academic probation.

2. Master of Arts in Byzantine Catholic Theology (M.A.T.), granted by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary. This program is authorized by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by The Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

The Byzantine Catholic Seminary offers a course of studies leading to the Master of Arts Degree in Theology (M.A.T.) in the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Candidates choose to specialize in Biblical Studies, Dogmatic Theology or Liturgy.

Applicants must have earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree or its equivalent. All candidates must complete all three introductory courses. Within the chosen area of specialization (Biblical Studies, Dogmatic Theology or Liturgical Theology), candidates must complete eighteen hours of coursework. Twelve additional hours of elective courses must also be completed.

Course Offerings
All of the following are 3 hours unless otherwise specified.

Introductory Courses

  • Introduction to Biblical Studies
  • Introduction to Liturgy
  • Basic Theological Skills (2 hrs)

Concentration in Biblical Studies
(six of the following seven courses are required for the concentration in Biblical Studies)

Pentateuch
Historical & Prophetic Books
Wisdom Literature and Psalms
Synoptic Gospels

Pauline Literature
Johannine Literature
Apostolic Writings

 

Concentration in Dogmatic Theology
(six of the following seven courses are required for the concentration in Dogmatic Theology)

The Holy Trinity
Christology
Theological Anthropology
The Holy Spirit

Mariology
Eschatology
Ecclesiology

 

Concentration in Liturgical Theology
(all of the following courses are required for the concentration in Liturgical Theology)
Theology of the Divine Liturgy
Theology of the Sacramental Mysteries
Theology of the Divine Office
Sacramental Mysteries of Initiation
Penitential Sacramental Mysteries
Sacramental Mysteries of Vocation

 

Electives
Electives may be chosen from any department in the Seminary. With the permission of the Academic Dean, a total of twelve hours may be completed in Theology or related disciplines at other institutions.

Cost

  • Per-credit charge for courses taken at the seminary apply.
  • Students assume all responsibility for fees, regulations and restrictions for elective courses taken at other institutions.

Requirements

 
  • Applicants must have earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  • Application must be accompanied by official, sealed transcript showing undergraduate work and degree received.
  • Applicants with undergraduate degrees in areas other than the liberal arts may be required to pursue propaedeutic courses in philosophy and religious studies prior to beginning the degree program for the M.A.T.
  • The degree must be completed within 6 years.
  • Students must pass written comprehensive examinations in their chosen area of concentration. Two members of the faculty to be appointed by the Academic Dean will grade this examination. A grade of B or higher must be attained in this examination.
  • A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Students with a GPA below 3.0 for 2 consecutive semesters will be required to withdraw from the program. Students with 2 grades of B- or lower in any semester are subject to academic probation.
 
Outcomes  

The Master of Arts in Byzantine Catholic Theology degree program prepares candidates for further study, research and teaching who will be able to:

  • read the primary sources of Byzantine Catholic Tradition contextually and critically;
  • employ appropriate methodologies in the study of Sacred Scripture, Dogmatic Theology, and Liturgical Theology;
  • undertake independent theological research;
  • engage in clear theological discourse both in writing and in speech;
  • integrate various theological disciplines and methods into a coherent and relevant vision of Byzantine Catholic faith.
 

 

 

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