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The oldest and largest program of its kind — in person and online.

Master of Arts in Catholic Studies

Master of Arts in Catholic Studies

An Interdisciplinary Graduate Degree Program in the Humanities

The Catholic Studies Graduate Program incorporates multiple academic disciplines – theology, philosophy, history, literature, science, and the arts – into every course. You will deepen your ability to see the unity of knowledge and develop a coherent vision of your whole life and work. All courses are taught by our nationally and internationally recognized, joyfully Catholic, full-time faculty.

An Exploration of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The Master of Arts in Catholic Studies degree requires you to complete 33 credit hours. Two required courses introduce you to 2,000 years of Catholic thought and culture and to the interdisciplinary way of thinking central to Catholic Studies. You also take one course in each of four thematic areas: theology, philosophy, history, and the arts.

Full-time students complete the MA degree in two years. Part-time students, taking one course per semester, typically finish the program in under four years.

And You Can Be Flexible!

Week by week, you can choose to attend classes in-person, online, or a combination of both.

Contact

Shawna Wicker

Graduate Program Manager
Email
shawnawicker@stthomas.edu
Phone Number
651-962-5713
Graduate student speaking about a class reading

Be Transformed

Intellectual seriousness, lively faith, joy and laughter.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

No additional scholarship application is required. Priority is given to full-time, in-person students, followed by: full-time online/hybrid students; part-time, in-person Catholic ministers, including Catholic school teachers; part-time, remote Catholic ministers, including Catholic school teachers. All Catholic Studies graduate applicants will be considered for financial support.

Many of our students need financial support to pursue a graduate degree in Catholic Studies. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, a limited number of generous partial and full-tuition scholarships are awarded each year on a competitive basis to full-time, degree-seeking, in-person students of exceptional promise. These Catholic Studies Scholar awards are renewable until completion of the degree.

To apply for Catholic Studies Scholarships, simply indicate your interest in your online graduate application by March 1.

Free and Flexible

The Murray Institute at the University of St. Thomas provides qualified parish and Catholic school employees a TUITION-FREE path to a graduate degree!

This scholarship award can be applied toward a Master of Arts in Catholic Studies (33 credits), a Graduate Certificate in Mission & Culture in Catholic Education (18 Credits), or a Two-Course Study in Catholic Education (6 credits).

Thanks to the generosity of Catholic Studies donors, Catholic school educators outside of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are eligible for generous tuition scholarship funding.

Paid Graduate Assistantships (4-10 hours/week) are available. Assistantships allow graduate students to work within the Department and Center for Catholic Studies on both scholarly and professional projects . They offer students a rewarding learning and professional development experience. Assistants might work on international conferences, help mentor students in our leadership programs, edit our academic journal or aid a faculty member in research for publishing, or other related work.

Murphy Scholars are involved in the full range of programming offered by the Murphy Institute, including public events, private faculty seminars and roundtables. They engage with the Institute's nationally and internationally recognized guests and participate in special Institute projects throughout the year according to their academic focus and scholarly interest.

Students enrolled full-time in the JD or MA in Catholic Studies program are eligible to apply. Students must also be in residence. Murphy Scholars receive a $2,000 stipend ($1,000 per semester).

Admission Deadlines

We admit on a rolling basis for our fall, spring, and summer terms.

  • Priority Fall (Scholarship) Deadline: March 1
  • Final Fall Deadline: August 15
  • Spring Deadline: January 15
  • Summer Deadline: June 1

Tuition

The 2023-24 tuition rate is $625 per credit.

This rate applies to all graduate courses, regardless of degree level or program and non-degree enrollment.

Application Requirements

  • Online application (select "Masters")
  • Résumé
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • A 10-page writing sample (ideally in the humanities — philosophy, political science, literature, etc.)
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions
  • GRE is not required!

Mission and Culture Fellows in Catholic Education

  • About
  • Benefits
  • Course Options
  • Future Opportunities
  • Apply

    • About

    This unique program provides on-the-job formation for college graduates who are discerning Catholic education as their vocational call. Paired with the Six-Course Certificate in Mission and Culture of Catholic Education, our Mission and Culture Fellows engage the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, get valuable experience in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, earn a monthly stipend, and receive generous scholarship support for graduate-level courses.

    This 10-month program is ideal for energetic, faith-filled graduating seniors from all disciplines and backgrounds - as well as those who have served as campus missionaries - who desire to be formed in and serve our Catholic schools one day.

    Learn More

    Benefits

    • Engage the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
    • Receive intentional formation from master practitioners in all areas of Catholic education including: teaching, development, administration, recruitment, and extracurriculars.
    • Earn a $1,500/month stipend ($13,500 total).
    • Receive generous scholarship support for graduate-level courses ($11,700 value).

    Course Options

    • The Heart of Culture: The Story of Catholic Education
    • Challenges in Pre-K to 12 Catholic Education
    • John Henry Newman
    • Secularization
    • Virtue
    • Science and Catholicism
    • Crisis in the Church
    • Shakespeare’s Christian Imagination
    • And more . . .

    Future Opportunities

    Upon successful completion of the program, Mission & Culture Fellows have multiple opportunities available within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, including:

    • Job opportunities in a supportive, vibrant, growing Catholic community.
    • A fully funded master's degree in Catholic Studies (upon employment at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis). The six certificate courses apply towards a full master's degree.
    • A masters-level certificate for those considering leadership roles in Catholic education.

    Apply

    To begin the Mission and Culture Fellows Application and interview process, please contact Shawna Wicker, Graduate Program Manager for Catholic Studies.

    About

    This unique program provides on-the-job formation for college graduates who are discerning Catholic education as their vocational call. Paired with the Six-Course Certificate in Mission and Culture of Catholic Education, our Mission and Culture Fellows engage the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, get valuable experience in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, earn a monthly stipend, and receive generous scholarship support for graduate-level courses.

    This 10-month program is ideal for energetic, faith-filled graduating seniors from all disciplines and backgrounds - as well as those who have served as campus missionaries - who desire to be formed in and serve our Catholic schools one day.

    Learn More

    Benefits

    • Engage the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
    • Receive intentional formation from master practitioners in all areas of Catholic education including: teaching, development, administration, recruitment, and extracurriculars.
    • Earn a $1,500/month stipend ($13,500 total).
    • Receive generous scholarship support for graduate-level courses ($11,700 value).

    Course Options

    • The Heart of Culture: The Story of Catholic Education
    • Challenges in Pre-K to 12 Catholic Education
    • John Henry Newman
    • Secularization
    • Virtue
    • Science and Catholicism
    • Crisis in the Church
    • Shakespeare’s Christian Imagination
    • And more . . .

    Future Opportunities

    Upon successful completion of the program, Mission & Culture Fellows have multiple opportunities available within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, including:

    • Job opportunities in a supportive, vibrant, growing Catholic community.
    • A fully funded master's degree in Catholic Studies (upon employment at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis). The six certificate courses apply towards a full master's degree.
    • A masters-level certificate for those considering leadership roles in Catholic education.

    Apply

    To begin the Mission and Culture Fellows Application and interview process, please contact Shawna Wicker, Graduate Program Manager for Catholic Studies.

    Curriculum

    The MA in Catholic Studies consists of 33 credits, earned via 10 courses and the completion of the Masters essay.
    Teacher working one on one with a student.

    Required Courses

    • Catholic Thought and Culture I
    • Catholic Thought and Culture II
    • 4 Thematic courses: Theology, Philosophy, History, and Art
    Catholic Studies Alum Ben Vasko teaches his sixth grade Latin class

    Elective Courses

    In addition to the required courses, MA students select 4 elective Catholic Studies graduate courses. Sample courses include:

    • Science and Catholicism
    • The Catholic Novel
    • Virtue
    • Nature and Grace in Shakespeare
    • Augustine's Confessions
    MA student reading at a podium

    Masters Essay (3 credits)

    Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a masters essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The masters essay gives you an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills while deepening your mastery of areas of Catholic Studies that have captured your imagination.

    Student Testimonials

    Joan Wieland headshot Photo of stained glass Photo of Jenny Hagenauer Photo of Olivia Griffith Photo of A.J. Barker Photo of Scottie Helstad

    Joan Wieland '22 CSMA


    "Catholic Studies is a balance of the academic pursuit of Christ and the personal pursuit of Christ."

    Eamon Naughton '22 CSMA

    "Catholic Studies is not just a space, it's a place. It's a home that draws you in to learning. It draws you in to community."

    Jenny Hagenauer '22 CSMA

    "Your classmates are from different walks of life. It's a rich community that gives a different perspective in the classroom which makes the whole program beautiful and is perfectly incorporated into the classroom."

    Olivia Griffith '22 CSMA

    "This program has transformed my life. Every class has had a deep impression on me. The professors love what they teach and the students love learning."

    A.J. Barker '21 CSMA

    "What makes Catholic Studies so unique is its interdisciplinary dimension. It draws on culture, history, theology, the arts, literature, business. It doesn't spread it thin. It makes it more unified and intuitive."

    Scottie Helstad '22 CSMA

    "I knew my passion for Catholicism needed a little more academic backing for my next step."

    We're Flexible. Really Flexible.

    We know that our students are busy and schedules change sometimes. That's why each of our MA courses is offered in one of three modalities during any given term, as decided by the professor:

    1. Every course is always offered in-person.
    2. Most of our courses are also Coflex, meaning they can be taken in-person OR online synchronous (live participation).
    3. Each semester, we also offer Hyflex courses which allow you to attend in-person OR online synchronous (live participation) OR participate online asynchronously (Assignments are submitted online).

    The best part is you get to choose. One week, you can attend class in person; if something comes up the following week, you can choose to attend online. Either way, you are joining a community of learners that allows you to adjust as needed.

    No Typical Student

    Our graduate students are extraordinary in many ways, including their life circumstances. Some work full time and take one course each semester. Others are full-time MA students with Graduate Assistantships. It doesn't matter how you do it; what matters is that you do it!

    Faculty

    Our instructors have varied academic backgrounds and have taken many paths to the University of St. Thomas, all to better serve a diverse group of students in an interdisciplinary program.

    Dr. Erika Kidd headshot

    Dr. Erika Kidd

    Associate Professor of Catholic Studies

    Dr. Erika Kidd is an Associate Professor of Catholic Studies. She studied philosophy, Latin, and great texts at Augustine College and Baylor University and received her PhD in philosophy from Villanova University.

    She writes and speaks on St. Augustine and the Augustinian tradition. She is currently writing a book about how we can learn to hear the voice of God in our conversations with one another.

    Dr. Erika Kidd
    Dr. William Junker headshot

    Dr. William Junker

    Director of the Catholic Studies Graduate Program

    Dr. William Junker is an Associate Professor of Catholic Studies. He studied English at the University of Dallas, philosophy at University of Notre Dame, and received his doctorate from the Committee on Social Thought and the Department of English at the University of Chicago. His interests include Renaissance poetry and drama, the history of political thought, and Dante.

    Dr. William Junker
    Dr. John Boyle headshot

    Dr. John Boyle

    Professor of Catholic Studies and Theology. Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies

    Dr. Boyle writes on Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More and published a lost work of Thomas Aquinas. A graduate of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, he has received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, the Aquinas Medal from the University of Dallas, and delivered the Aquinas Lecture at the National University of Ireland.

    Dr. John Boyle
    Marble statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus

    A transformative graduate experience in the Eternal City

    Mary in Rome

    Mary in Rome is a unique 10-day, interdisciplinary study abroad experience for graduate students that draws on philosophy, theology, poetry, music, and the visual arts to explore Mary’s role within the Church and within our own lives. This retreat-like experience will increase your knowledge and deepen your love of Our Blessed Mother by reading, studying, and exploring the Eternal City; visiting Roman churches, museums, and shrines to examine works of art and to learn about how Christians have expressed Marian piety across the ages; and taking a day trip to Florence to visit key Marian sites.

    This intensive graduate course is ideal for online students, busy professionals, and anyone who desires to encounter the rich culture inspired by Mary’s life.

    Current scholarship awards apply. To reserve your place, please contact Shawna Wicker.

    More Information