Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership

Department Website: Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership

Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership

The Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University offers the Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership degree to meet the needs of persons seeking greater understanding and practical knowledge of theology and leadership. Students enter the program as members of a cohort and progress through the program together. Students gather on campus during the summer for two residency experiences. Courses usually required for a degree can be waived by a Graduate Program Director when these areas have been previously studied in depth.
This program provides graduate theological education and leadership formation for teaching, consulting, research, and development of theological resources for ministry, chaplaincy, adult education programs, and other services to the church and the wider civic community. Graduates of this program have combined their theological work with diverse career commitments, including church ministry, journalism, medicine, community service, teaching, healthcare administration, military service, public employment, chaplaincy, business, and law, among others.

Admissions

Students applying to Gonzaga University must submit Gonzaga’s Graduate Application, which can be accessed online at https://www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply
Along with the application for graduate study, each program at Gonzaga has distinct admission requirements. Please refer to the table below to view that detailed information.

How to Apply
Program Name	How to Apply Link
Master of Arts in Theology & Leadership	https://www.gonzaga.edu/online-graduate-programs/online-programs/m-a-theology-leadership/how-to-apply

Prerequisites

An application is not complete and will not be evaluated until all materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Management. Materials or fees submitted to another party do not constitute application to the program. Applicants must fill out the application online at www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Applicants with a B.A. in Religious Studies, Theology, or related area may be especially well-suited for the program. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in other areas should show some experience in a religious or mission-related organization, such as, for example, volunteer work.
Applicants may be eligible for advanced standing of up to 6 credits for related graduate work as determined by the graduate Program Director(s). Applicants seeking advanced standing must petition the graduate director(s) in writing at the time of application.

MA in Theology and Leadership

Program Requirements

Students enter the program as members of a cohort and register for six credits per semester.
All work accepted toward a degree is to be completed within a five year period from the date of acceptance into the program, or from the date of the earliest course accepted transfer credits, whichever occurs first.

Only authorized courses for a degree will be counted in computing the grade point average. Courses not authorized will appear on the transcript with a letter grade awarded but will not affect the graduate grade point average.

Residency Experiences

Students will participate in two residency experiences during the summer.
During the first residency experience students will participate in the intensive residency portion of the 3-credit Christian Leadership foundational course.
During the second residency experience students will participate in a 1-credit Leadership Seminar.

Electronic Portfolio

Students who have completed their main courses will take a comprehensive exam.
Students will be required to create a comprehensive electronic portfolio integrating their academic work.

Financial Aid

The department has a limited amount of financial aid available in the form of scholarships. They are awarded based on financial need and academic performance.

Program Outline

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
RELI 505	Introduction to Christian Leadership	3
RELI 506	Systematic Theology I: God, Humanity, and Christ	3
RELI 507	Systematic Theology II: Spirit, the Church, and the World	3
RELI 510	Hebrew Bible: Old Testament	3
RELI 519	New Testament: Special Topics	3
RELI 530	Christian Moral Theology	3
RELI 545	Church History	3
RELI 581	Ignatian Integration	2
RELI 606	Mission Leadership Seminar	1
ORGL Two elective courses in Organizational Leadership		6
Total Hours		30

Note: Students may take an additional Thesis course or independent study. This will entail additional credits. See your Academic advisor for more information. If students are seeking board certification as a chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, they should speak to the program director about taking an additional 2-credit independent study course to meet the minimum credit requirement for NACC board certification.

Courses

RELI 500. Research Methods in Religious Studies. (0 Credits)

An orientation to techniques and resources for research and writing in religious studies. Taken on a pass/fail basis.

RELI 505. Introduction to Christian Leadership. (3 Credits)

Taken during summer orientation at the beginning of the student's entry into the program, this course provides an introduction to foundational theological questions related to Christian leadership and organizational theory. Summer.

Course Fee: 180

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 506. Systematic Theology I: God, Humanity, and Christ. (3 Credits)

The first of a two-course sequence, this course explores systematic questions regarding the nature of God, God's relationship with humanity, and the person and mission of Christ. Beginning with a consideration of theological method, the course introduces students to both classical texts and contemporary approaches to theological reflection, with a special emphasis on theologies of liberation and social justice. Fall.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 507. Systematic Theology II: Spirit, the Church, and the World. (3 Credits)

The second in a two-course sequence, this course explores systematic questions regarding the mission of the Spirit in the church and the world, including theologies of history and eschatology, but with special attention to the liturgical life of the church. The course provides a foundation for further studies in ecclesiology, liturgical theology, and ministry through an examination of classical and contemporary texts, paying particular attention to theological methods. Spring.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 509. Foundational Theology: Special Topics. (3 Credits)

RELI 510. Hebrew Bible: Old Testament. (3 Credits)

Examines the theological issues, major themes and development of the Hebrew scriptures.

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 514. Hebrew Scriptures Special Topics. (3 Credits)

RELI 519. New Testament: Special Topics. (3 Credits)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 520. Trends in Contemporary Theology. (3 Credits)

A selective engagement of current themes and authors who are setting the course for theology in the 21st century.

RELI 526. Comparative Theologies. (3 Credits)

This course explores comparative theologies as 'faith seeking understanding' in the context and presence of the persons, texts and wisdom of one or more other religious traditions, with the aims of enacting solidarity with others and encountering fresh theological insights. The course rehearses the history of Christian views of other traditions (Theologies of Religions) and promptly moves forward with concrete experiments in comparison. Possible dialogue partners include Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim texts and persons.

RELI 529. Systemic Theology Special Topics. (3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

RELI 530. Christian Moral Theology. (3 Credits)

How does theological ethics inform a Christian understanding of our practical moral life? This course examines the fundamental concepts of Christian theological ethics and study their application to specific ethical issues and problems.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 539. Contemporary Ethical Issues. (3 Credits)

RELI 545. Church History. (3 Credits)

The historical origins of Christianity and its development to the Reformation.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 549. Church: Special Topics. (3 Credits)

RELI 569. Liturgy-Sacraments: Special Topics. (3 Credits)

RELI 579. Spirituality: Special Topics. (3 Credits)

RELI 581. Ignatian Integration. (2 Credits)

This course functions as the MATL capstone. Following the life and Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, students reflect on their significance for effective leadership in the contemporary context. At each point in the journey, students integrate material from previous MATL courses, particularly as it relates to key themes in Ignatian spirituality. In the final assignment, students will create a project for their program portfolio which brings practices of Ignatian spirituality to bear on emerging challenges in their own lives and ministries.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 606. Mission Leadership Seminar. (1 Credit)

May be repeated for credit.

This seminar brings together graduate faculty and professionals in the field of mission leadership to discuss the challenges and strategies for mission integration in complex mission-based organizations including Health Care, Education, and Non-profit organizations. Students earning credit for the seminar produce a major paper during the following Fall semester in consultation with the instructor. Summer.

Prerequisites: RELI 505 with a minimum grade of C and RELI 506 with a minimum grade of C and RELI 507 with a minimum grade of C and (RELI 510 with a minimum grade of C or RELI 519 with a minimum grade of C)

Course Fee: 240

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 607. Ministry Leadership Seminar. (1 Credit)

May be repeated for credit.

This seminar brings together graduate faculty and ministry professionals to explore challenges and opportunities in ministry leadership in the fields of liturgical ministry, parish ministry, and teaching. Students earning credit for the seminar produce a major paper during the following Fall Semester in consultation with the instructor. Summer.

RELI 611. Continuing Research. (1 Credit)

May be repeated for credit.

Required of all graduate students to maintain continuous enrollment in the program while completing their final project.

RELI 690. Directed Readings. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

RELI 698. Thesis I. (2 Credits)

The Thesis will be either a substantial work of theological scholarship or a detailed project (e.g., curriculum, program grant, mission integration initiative) related to the student's particular interest in ministry or leadership in the community. During fall semester, the student will develop a thesis/project outline in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theology and Leadership.

RELI 699. Thesis II. (2 Credits)

The Thesis will be either a substantial work of theological scholarship or a detailed project (e.g., curriculum, program grant, mission integration initiative) related to the student's particular interest in ministry or leadership in the community. During spring semester, students will complete their thesis/project and participate in an online peer review forum.