Ave Maria University
If you are ready to open your mind and heart to Jesus Christ, humanity’s one True Teacher, guided by a highly qualified faculty, we invite you to consider an M.A. in Theology from Ave Maria University. By studying the wisdom of Sacred Scripture, the Church Fathers, Thomas Aquinas and the Magisterial teachings of the Church in an authentically Catholic learning environment, you will be abundantly prepared for pastoral, diocesan or educational jobs, or to move on to doctoral studies.
Careers: Director of Religious Education, Diocesan Leader, Theology Teacher, Religious Life
To study Catholic theology is to realize that the Word Incarnate and the Holy Spirit inspired Sacred Scripture and continue to guide the Magisterium of the Church, whose Tradition directs us as we reach up to the great minds and hearts of the many saints and scholars who over the millennia have contributed to the quest for genuine holiness, wisdom, science, scholarship and art. Our program emphasizes a contemplative pattern of study that initiates students into the great tradition of speculative wisdom, with its unifying theoretical vision of the whole of God’s creative and redemptive presence.
Fast Fact: All theology faculty have the ecclesiastical mandatum, meaning they are recognized by Church authority as being in full communion of the Catholic Church.
Education: B.A., Religious Studies, Trinity Western University; M.A., Theology, Ave Maria University; Ph.D., Theology and Religion, University of Durham Office: Henkels 3003 Email: gerald.boersma@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 304-7910 Curriculum Vitae: Download
Education: B.A., St. Stephen’s College; M.A., St. Stephen’s College; S.T.L., Dominican House of Studies; S.T.B., Dominican House of Studies; S.T.D., University de Fribourg; S.T.M., The Order of Preachers, Santa Sabina, Rome Email: rev.romanus.cessario@avemaria.edu Office: Henkels 3026 Phone: (239) 304-7935
Education: B.S., Engineering, Duke University; M.T.S., Theology, Duke Divinity School; Ph.D., Systematic Theology, University of Notre Dame Office: Henkels 3005 Email: michael.dauphinais@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 280-2538
Education: B.A., English Literature, Aurora University; M.A., Theology, Catholic University of America; S.T.L., Theology, Catholic University of America; J.C.L., Canon Law, The Catholic University of America; S.T.D., Theology, The Catholic University of America Office: Henkels 2068 Email: robert.garrity@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 280-2424 Curriculum Vitae: Download
Education: B.A., Liberal Arts, Thomas Aquinas College; M.A., Philosophy, Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology; S.T.M., Theology, International Theological Insitute; S.T.L., Systematic Theology, International Theological Insitute; Ph.D., Systematic Theology, Ave Maria University Email: danielw.lendman@avemaria.edu Office: Henkels 3029 Phone: 239-304-7934
Education: B.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo; M.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo; Ph.D., Philosophy, The Catholic University of America Office: Henkels 3007 Email: steven.long@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 280-1664
Education: B.A., Philosophy, Saint Meinrad College; M. Div., Theology, Saint Meinrad School of Theology; M.A., Religious Studies, Indiana University; M.A., Philosophy, Marquette University; S.T.D., Pontifical Gregorian University Office: Henkels 3009 Email: fr.guy.mansini@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 280-2594
Education: B.E.S., Literature & Philosophy, St. Cloud State University; M.A., Theology & Christian Ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville; S.T.B., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, S.T.L., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas; S.T.D., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Office: Henkels 3056 Email: roger.nutt@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 280-1603 Curriculum Vitae: Download
Education: B.S., Psychology, Texas Christian University; M.A., Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary; Th.M., Systematic Theology Dallas Theological Seminary; M.T.S., Theology, Duke University; Ph.D., Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University Office: Henkels 3008 Email: thomas.vanwart@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 304-7825 Curriculum Vitae: Download
Education: B.S., Management Purdue University; M.T.S. Theological Studies, Duke Divinity School; Ph.D. Religious Studies, Maquette University Office: Henkels 3004 Email: jeffrey.walkey@avemaria.edu Phone: (239) 304-7363 Curriculum Vitae: Download
THEO 501 Old Testament THEO 523 Triune God THEO 552 Fundamental Moral Theology*
THEO 502 New Testament THEO 525 Christ and His Church THEO 527 Sacraments*
THEO 553 Systematic Theology & Eschatology Graduate Theology Elective Graduate Theology Elective
THEO 599 M.A. Thesis Graduate Theology Elective Graduate Theology Elective
*With the approval of the program director, THEO 552 and/or THEO 527 can be deferred to Year Two and replaced with electives. Students who enter the program with little or no Latin should take THEO 509 Theological Latin I and 510 Theological Latin II as electives during Year One.
Ave Maria University offers a 4+1, B.A., M.A. program for undergraduate majors in theology.
Interested students should receive permission to enter the five-year (4+1) program from the director of the undergraduate program in theology during their junior year and begin planning their coursework with their advisor at that time. Students in the B.A., M.A. five-year program will begin taking graduate-level courses during their junior and senior year. Students are encouraged to complete a minor in Philosophy or Classics by the end of the fourth year, but are still eligible for the five-year program without the minor.
A formal application to the Master’s program is to be completed in the fall of the senior year. Students do not become degree- seeking M.A. students until they have been accepted into the M.A. program and have completed their B.A. degree.
The successful completion of the B.A. component of the five-year program includes: the completion of 128 credits of coursework satisfying all Ave Maria University core requirements and course requirements specific to the five-year program by the end of the fourth year of study (with a 16-credit cap on graduate level credits taken before the successful completion of the B.A.). The successful completion of the M.A. component of the five-year program includes: the successful completion of 32 additional credit hours while enrolled at the graduate-level and of requirements specified by the five-year plan (48 total graduate-level credit hours during the 5 years). As a result, students in the five-year program will earn both a B.A. and an M.A. in Theology (classes in bold).
For priority consideration for scholarships and for housing, applications should be received by February 1. Later applications, however, will still be accepted.
Applicants to the M.A. Program must possess a bachelor’s degree and must submit the following:
International applicants must also submit official TOEFL score results.
Upload the following documents (.pdf or docx) when submitting the application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on December 1. In order to receive priority consideration for scholarships and housing, applications should be received by February 1. Later applications, however, will continue to be reviewed.
A limited number of merit-based scholarships will be offered to outstanding applicants.
A $150 enrollment fee (non-refundable) is required after acceptance into the program.
Fees paid by personal check should be made payable to “Ave Maria University” and mailed to the Graduate Enrollment Office.
Questions regarding the Graduate Theology Program should be directed to graduatetheology@avemaria.edu or by calling Megan Hare at 239-280-1629
GRE Score Reports, Official Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation need to be sent directly from the testing service, educational institution, and individual reference to:
Graduate Enrollment Office Ave Maria University 5050 Ave Maria Blvd. Ave Maria, FL 34142
The requirements listed below are typically completed during a two-year residency. All required courses and most electives are 4 credit hours each.
Students normally enter the program with some undergraduate coursework in theology and philosophy. Those judged to have significant lacunae in their prior academic formation will be directed to take courses that complement the M.A. curriculum. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the sacramental and spiritual life of the university as an integral element in their theological formation.
Continuance in the program is subject to faculty review each semester. Students must be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.7 or higher) to maintain any scholarship or financial aid.
Dr. Gerald Boersma, Program Director: (239) 304-7910 Megan Hare, Administrative Assistant: (239) 280-1629
Email: graduatetheology@avemaria.edu
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Created to foster the renewal of Catholic theology, the Aquinas Center is invested in a wide variety of projects both within and outside of Ave Maria University. With the help of scholars from colleges and universities around the world, the center l seeks to contribute to the development of a vibrant theological renaissance.
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