Everything You Need to Know About Catholic Theology Graduate Programs

Posted by Alvin Smith on September 30th, 2021

Catholic theology graduate programs are most commonly available at the Master\'s degree level. The students have to complete their coursework and electives in the first one and half years of the program. And as soon as they complete this, they are required to start with their thesis work. The requirements and coursework included in most of the Catholic master\'s programs are discussed below.

The Trinity

This course, in the graduate program, will focus on some of the aspects of the Holy Trinity and its importance in the teachings of Catholicism. The students will be able to learn about the doctrinal support for a Triune God in Christianity and the different characteristics that are often used to describe the nature of God. Some of the online catholic graduate programs also cover the concept of God or gods the way they are portrayed in Christianity as well as in other religious traditions.

Catholic Church history and tradition

The Catholic theology graduate programs also include a course that focuses on the history and traditions of the Catholic Church. This course gives an understanding to the students about how the Catholic Church has developed over centuries and also the pre-church history in Judaism and the Passion of Christ. It will also include the movements and figures that had a major impact on Christianity and Catholicism. The past and current Catholic traditions will also be covered in this course.

Study of the Old Testament

The study of both the testaments is an important part of learning Catholic theology. Almost all of the catholic theology courses online include a course that provides an understanding of the writings of the Old Testament. It may either cover a general aspect, focusing on the overarching themes of the Old Testament or it may include only some of the aspects or parts of the old testament, such as the Prophets, the books that are focused on themes of wisdom, or the early Bible history. The students are generally required to take multiple courses that cover the old testament, depending upon its length and diversity. 

Teachings of the New testament

It is no surprise that students will have to compulsorily take a course that focuses exclusively on the teachings of the new testament of the bible, for any of the Catholic master\'s programs. This course will include the teachings of the new testament so that the students understand its relevance to the current Christian life. It will also include an in-depth study of certain books or themes of the new testament, which may include topics like the study of Apostles, teachings about the poor, and the nature of the Holy Spirit.

Sacramental theology

Some of the online catholic graduate programs also include the sacramental theology course that focuses on the sacraments and the sacramental aspect of faith. The seven sacraments that will be included in this course are baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, reconciliation, marriage, holy orders, and the anointing of the sick. This course will allow the students to learn about the sacraments from a variety of perspectives, with respect to both, how the sacraments are described and portrayed in religious texts and also their role in modern life and Christian living. 

To summarize

The Catholic theology courses online can be available as both Masters and doctoral programs, which help students achieve advanced knowledge in the field and an opportunity to conduct research.