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The Post-Masters Certificate

The Institute offers three Post-Master's Certificates: Scripture, Systematic Theology, and Ecclesial History. The certificate provides a program of study for those who already hold a graduate, theological degree, to deepen their knowledge of previously competency, or to undertake systematic study of a new area.

Admission

Candidates for the Post-Master's Certificate must possess a Master's degree in Religious Studies, Theology, or a related field with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The candidate must have twelve graduate credits in the area in which the Certificate will be pursued. (Students applying for the Certificate in Systematic Theology or the Certificate in Ecclesial History must have 12 graduate credits in the general area of theology.) Students lacking the 12 credits may make them up through course work at the Institute prior to beginning the Certificate program.

Application

The application process for the certificate is the same as for the M.A. degree above. The essay may be omitted for Institute graduates.

Requirements for the Certificate

Candidates for the Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Studies must complete 18 credits (six courses) while maintaining a B average. Of those 18 credits, 9 (three courses) are required. Students have five years to complete the certificate.

Specific requirements are listed below.

Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Studies: Scripture

The following courses are required:

  1. Synoptic Gospels [Students who have previously taken Synoptic Gospels must take Pentateuch.]
  2. Biblical Greek I
  3. Biblical Greek II

Of the remaining 3 courses, one MUST be from the Testament not covered under 1. above. That is, a student who takes Synoptic Gospels as part of the Certificate must take one Old Testament course among the three elective courses. Those who take Pentateuch must take a New Testament course.

Students who have already taken any or all of the required courses in their previous graduate studies may replace them with any other Scripture courses.


Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Studies: Systematic Theology

The following courses are required:

  1. Christology
  2. Sacramental Theology or Eucharist
  3. The Church: Ecclesiology

The remaining courses will be chosen from any course with a DS designation.

Students who have already taken any of the required courses in their previous graduate studies may replace them with other DS courses.

Post-Master's Certificate in Religious Studies: Ecclesial History

The following courses are required:

  1. Christology
  2. and 3. Two from among the following four courses:


          Early Church History: 50-800
          Medieval Church History: 800-1300
          Reformation Church History: 1300-1648
          Modern Church History: 1648-1962

The remaining three courses will be chosen from among the following: any other DH courses; Grace; Mariology; The Church: Ecclesiology; Church Fathers; Patristics; courses on individual theologians; Social Justice.

Students who have taken any of the required courses in their previous graduate studies may substitute a courses from the list above.