MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES AND APOSTOLIC CATECHETICAL DIPLOMA Online courses may be applied towards the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree with a concentration in catechetics. Presently no more than 20 credits of the MA’s required 42 credits may be earned online, but we expect to have a completely-online MA program by the end of 2010. The Apostolic Catechetical Diploma (ACD) is grated by the Holy See in recognition of a catechist’s competence and personal commitment to teach Catholic doctrine in communion with the Magisterium. The course requirements for the diploma are the same as those for the MA, and students may earn both simultaneously or either without the other. The Advanced ACD requires a bachelor’s degree, but the Basic ACD does not. The course requirements for the MA and/or ACD are as follows: EDUC630: Teaching the Faith: Part 1 (3 credits) (CAT101, CAT102, CAT103 + Academic Requirements) An introduction to Catholic Religious Education, including an examination of the ministry of catechetics, an overview of key Old and New Testament figures and events, and a thorough study of the Creed and the seven Sacraments, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (parts 1 and 2), with practical and creative ways to implement these teachings in a classroom. EDUC631: Teaching the Faith: Part 2 (3 credits) (CAT104, CAT105, CAT201 + Academic Requirements) A continuation of EDUC 630 focusing on the moral life (commandments, virtues and beatitudes) and the life of prayer (with explanation of several prayers and devotions throughout the liturgical year) and how to teach them. The course covers Parts 3 & 4 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and concludes with the role of catechesis in the mission of the Church as seen in the General Directory of Catechesis. EDUC 602: The Catechetical Tradition: a study of the teaching Church and the historical process of its development, including St. Augustine and Classical Catechesis, Christendom and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Reformation and the Roman Catechism, the Enlightenment, Vatican I, Modernism, Vatican II, the renewed Catechumenate and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. EDUC 603: Catechetical Norms and Methods: a study of Magisterial documents pertaining to religious education and evangelization, and the application of these norms to various parochial and diocesan ministries, including teaching methods for various ages, textbook selection, youth ministry, RCIA, and organization and direction of a parish catechetical program. EDUC 605: Liturgy and Sacraments: the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, including the meaning of sacrament, their institution by Jesus Christ, and their efficacy, with special attention to the Eucharist. Also includes the Prayer of the Church, the Liturgical Cycle, and sacramentals. EDUC 606: Apologetics: the reasonable explanation and defense of the Catholic Faith utilizing Scripture, theology, Church history, and philosophy to explain Catholic beliefs and practices, such as Tradition, the Papacy, justification, the Real Presence, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Communion of Saints. PHIL 602: Philosophy of God and Man: a philosophical examination of the proofs for the existence of God, the nature of the human person, the human intellect and will, and the immortality of the human soul. PHIL 603: Philosophical Errors: a study of some of the false philosophies of man and God, especially in so far as these form the intellectual basis for the errors and shortcomings in contemporary popular thought and in Biblical exegesis, with a critique of these theories and a comparison of them with the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Includes Platonic idealism, essentialism, nominalism, rationalism, empiricism, phenomenalism, Marxism, positivism, utilitarian and pragmatic philosophies, Nietzsche, modern theories of the state, and the nature and limits of natural science. Extensive review of St. Thomas Aquinas’ philosophy of being, knowledge, and man. SCRI 606: Old Testament: a survey of the historical, wisdom, and prophetical books of the Old Testament as a preparation for the New Testament era. SCRI 607: New Testament: the New Testament within its historical milieu, with special attention to its fulfillment of the Old Covenant and doctrinal significance. THEO 601: God the Father: an examination of the first article of the Creed, using both reason and faith. Focused primarily on the Person of the Father, the course considers both the intra-Trinitarian life (divine nature, Persons, relations, attributes) and divine relations with creation (the material universe, the creation of man in the divine image, the fall, and the promise of redemption). Other related questions may include the creation of the angels, the meaning of original sin, and theories of evolution. THEO 602: Christology: the Person and nature of Jesus Christ and the mystery of the Incarnation. It explores the historicity of the Gospels, Jesus’ earthly life, His teaching, miracles, three-fold office, and redemptive mission carried out in the Pascal Mystery. It also focuses on Christological controversies, significant councils and magisterial documents concerning Jesus Christ. THEO 603: Holy Spirit & Ecclesiology: a study of the Person of the Holy Spirit, both within the Trinity and within the mystery of the Church, as expressed in Scripture and Tradition. Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes receive particular attention. The Blessed Virgin Mary, grace, and the universal call to holiness are also studied in relation to the mystery of the Church. THEO 604: Moral Theology: the fundamental principles of moral theology in light of the revelation of God’s law and the grace of Christ. Reason and Revelation are brought to bear on what it means to live a morally good life as a preparation for eternal life. Topics include: the nature of morality and its ultimate end, the vocation of beatitude, freedom and the morality of human acts, the nature of sin and the problem of cooperation in evil, moral conscience, the passions and the virtues, the commandments and the natural law, the question of moral absolutes, and a survey of contemporary trends in moral theology. Students who wish to earn the MA and/or ACD must have a bachelor’s degree and be admitted to the graduate school. Degree/diploma candidates must maintain a “B” average (3.0), and degree candidates must pass the comprehensive exam after completing all required courses. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Christendom College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and does not discriminate against any applicant or student on the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin. Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College 4407 Sano Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 703-658-4304 - ndgs@christendom.edu - www.christendom.edu/grad |
| Catholic Education Center, LLC, with CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE |
| TUITION & FEES (through July 31, 2010) Graduate credit tuition: $975 per course Audit (non-credit) tuition: $345 per course ($240 for catechists, seniors, Catholic-school teachers) Registration fee*: $25 per student, per semester Technology fee*: $100 per course *non-refundable |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
