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M.A. Theology & Religious Studies

The M.A. in Theology & Religious Studies provides the flexibility to focus on your interests and professional goals. An optional thesis provides excellent preparation for doctoral studies. Our students have been accepted to graduate programs at Harvard Divinity School, Boston College, St. Patrick’s College (Maynooth, Ireland), Florida State University, the University of Dayton, and the University of Notre Dame, among others.

In addition, the M.A. program offers concentrations in Chaplaincy, Theological Education, and Pastoral Ministry.

The 30-credit-hour master’s degree can be completed either on campus or online.

More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.

Study what matters most.

Program Highlights

The Master of Arts in Theology & Religious Studies is a 30-hour degree typically completed through 10 semester-long courses. Several concentrations allows students to choose the pathway that best matches their goals.

The Department of Theology & Religious Studies offers a remarkable breadth of faculty expertise, with notable scholars of the Bible and early Christianity, Judaism and rabbinics, Islamic Studies, contemporary Catholic theology, moral theology, and the sociology of religion.

Meet our Faculty

All John Carroll TRS courses are offered in hyflex format, giving students the opportunity to choose each week whether to come to campus or to Zoom into class discussion. There is no residency requirement; the entire program can be completed remotely. This is not your typical online program. You will interact with classmates and faculty every week in real time, just as if you are in the room with the rest of the group. Synchronous-only online classes reflect our commitment to education as an ongoing conversation.

Students benefit from the programs and initiatives made possible by four major endowments within the Department of Theology & Religious Studies:

Course Descriptions

For a list of upcoming graduate courses and course descriptions, click here or visit the JCU Bulletin.

Students in Hallway

Catholic Commitment

Our Jesuit, Catholic Mission inspires programs that serve the Catholic community of Cleveland and beyond.

Students Visiting Sukkah

Interreligious Engagement

Endowed Chairs in Jewish Studies, Islamic Studies, and Interreligious Studies support a religiously diverse slate of courses and programs.