Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies

The Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies introduces students to the historical, theological, and pastoral dimensions of the Church's liturgical traditions, the nature of the ritual process, and the relationship between culture and liturgy. Designed to prepare women and men, both lay and ordained, for work in liturgical formation, liturgical ministries, positions of liturgical leadership, and for further study on the doctoral level, the program offers a serious and reflective academic investigation of the liturgical tradition in its central role as "source and summit" of the Church's life.

The Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies is specialized in nature and presumes a solid background in theology and scripture on the part of the student who seeks admission. Those with less background in the theological disciplines are alerted to the Master of Arts in Theology with a concentration in liturgy, which places the study of liturgy within the context of a general study of theology.

For detailed program outcomes, see the Academic Catalog.

Degree Requirements

1. A total of 30 graduate credits.
• Pastoral Liturgy I (PTHM 425) and Pastoral Liturgy II (PTHM 427) may be applied to the degree. In addition, students may apply up to three additional credits from any other PTHM course to the degree.
• Psalmody and Hymnody (LMUS 421) and Seminar in Liturgical Music (LMUS 501) may be applied to the degree.
• A maximum of nine credits earned in web-based courses may be applied to the degree.
• Students have the option to earn six of the thirty credits by writing a master’s thesis.
• Courses in Latin and modern languages cannot be counted toward the degree, but courses in Greek and Hebrew can be counted.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (B average) on a 4.0 scale.
3. Required courses:
• History and Sources of the Liturgy (3 credits)
• Theology of Sacraments and Worship (3 credits)
• Rites of Christian Initiation (3 credits)
• Eucharistic Liturgy and Theology (3 credits)
Twelve additional credits from the following list of courses or from topics courses in liturgy (nine additional credits if the student earns six credits in Pastoral Liturgy I and II):
• Rites of Reconciliation (2 credits)
• Rites of Christian Burial (1 credit)
• Rites of Ordination (1 credit)
• Rites of Christian Marriage (1 credit)
• Rites for the Sick (2 credits)
• Liturgy of the Hours (3 credits)
• Liturgical Year (3 credits)
4. Reading proficiency in a foreign language to be demonstrated early in the student's program of studies.
5. Submission of two graduate papers OR submission and defense of the master’s thesis.
6. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination after the completion of all other degree requirements.

The Student Handbook lists the current procedures for demonstrating reading proficiency in the foreign language, for graduate papers or the thesis, and for comprehensive examinations.

Last updated: 4/25/08 RB

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Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
Collegeville, Minnesota 56321
Phone: 320-363-2102
Toll-Free: 800-361-8318
Fax: 320-363-3145