Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Systematic and Biblical Theology (Blended Weekend Track)

Program Description

The blended Master in Theological Studies program offers a comprehensive and rigorous theological education with two distinct concentrations: Systematic Theology and New Testament Biblical Theology. Students will engage with profound theological inquiries and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and the Sacred Scriptures through a blend of online and on-site classes. The program includes the writing and defense of a thesis.

The courses in this program are open not only to dedicated MA TH-STUD students but also to those in other degree or non-degree programs who wish to enroll in our blended courses to fulfill their respective program requirements.

Program Objectives

In general, the MA in Theological Studies program in LST has the following purposes: [a] to prepare teachers for college-level theology as well as for other contexts of religious formation; [b] to present a sound and serious grounding in the basic theological disciplines (biblical studies, systematic, and moral-pastoral theology) relating to both the Christian tradition and to the contemporary life of the Christian community; [c] to foster a capacity for disciplined reflection and effective communication, principally on the college level, but also in other areas of religious formation.

The blended Masters program aims specifically to foster a deeper understanding of Systematic Theology or New Testament Biblical Theology and to accommodate the schedules and needs of working professionals and residents in Metro Manila, the provinces, and abroad.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Master in Theological Studies program, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a deep understanding of theological concepts and their application;
2. conduct independent research and engage in theological discourse;
3. analyze theological issues within the context of Systematic or New Testament Biblical Theology;
4. effectively communicate theological insights.

Structure of Delivery

The program will feature a blended learning format to accommodate the diverse needs of students:

1. Synchronous Online Classes: Held on Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon via Zoom, these sessions allow students to engage with faculty and peers in real-time discussions and lectures.
2. On-Site Classes: To meet the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Republic of the Philippines, on-site classes will be conducted as follows:
   • One Thursday to Saturday extended weekend at the beginning of each semester.
   • Another extended weekend at the end of each semester.
   • Intensive face-to-face classes will take place from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

For admission to the MA in Theological Studies program, applicants must have a government-recognized (civil) bachelor’s degree with at least 12 units of undergraduate (college) theology courses. Moreover, they must have attained at least a general undergraduate average of B (2.5 or 85) with no grade of “failure” or “condition”.

1. Those who do not have the prerequisite theology units may enroll them in asynchronous online classes thru Canvas in the semesters prior to admission to the Masters program. Students should enroll in two courses every semester as follows:

First Semester (August to December)

• BPM 101 Introduction to the Mystery of Faith
• BPM 102 Introduction to the Old Testament

Second Semester (January to May)

• BPM 105 Church and Sacraments
• BPM 106 Introduction to the New Testament

2. Those specializing in New Testament Biblical Theology have the following additional prerequisites for the program: Greek I, Greek II, and Biblical Hermeneutics and Research Methods. These are taken during the Intersession (5 weeks usually between the months of June and July).

For complete information regarding admission procedures, deadlines and required documents, please visit: https://www.ateneo.edu/ls/graduate/admissions/application-admission

Deadline for filing of applications are found here:
https://www.ateneo.edu/ls/graduate/admissions/dates

Those specializing in Systematic Theology must apply for the first semester intake.
Those specializing in New Testament Biblical Theology must apply for the intersession intake.
Note that Filipino and International Applicants have different deadlines.

MA TH-STUD Course Work

The blended MA TH program allows enrollees to complete five foundation, three specialization, two elective courses and the comprehensive examination in three academic years. Students begin writing their thesis on their fourth year.

Foundation Courses

Specialization in Systematic Theology

Specialization in New Testament Biblical Theology

Auxiliary Courses

Probation Period

Before successfully completing eighteen (18) units of course work, the student is on academic probation status. He/she cannot enroll beyond the eighteen units until he/she has been approved for definitive acceptance to the MA TH-STUD program by the Vice President for Academic Affairs upon the recommendation of the Admissions Committee. The bases for the definitive acceptance are the grades, the professors’ evaluations, proficiency in English, and at least one major research paper written in the MA TH-STUD course work.

Comprehensive Exams and Thesis

1. The Comprehensive Exam may be enrolled and taken only during the succeeding semester after the completion of course work with final marks.
2. Thesis Proposal Defense is held on the succeeding semester after the Comprehensive Exam.
3. It is possible for a thesis to be defended as early as the Second Semester of the Fourth Year. Otherwise, the student continues enrolling in Thesis Writing II every semester until thesis defense.
4. Maximum number of years to complete the MA program is five Academic Years. Beyond the time limit, the student needs to request for an extension from the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.

Attendance Policy

1. General Attendance Requirement: All students enrolled in LST are required to attend both online and onsite classes as stipulated in the course syllabus. Students are ultimately responsible for their attendance and adherence to this attendance policy. Ignorance of this policy will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance.
2. Maximum Allowed Absences: Each student is allowed a maximum of 12 hours of absences for each course throughout the entire semester.
3. Tracking and Reporting Absences: Faculty members will maintain a record of students’ attendance for each class session, both online and onsite. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own attendance.
4. Consequences of Exceeding Absence Limit: If a student accumulates more than 12 hours of absences in a course, s/he will be subject to the following consequences: a) The student will be dropped from the course; b) A “W” (Withdrawal without permission) will be recorded on the student’s transcript for the course.
5. Notification of Absence: In the event of a legitimate absence (e.g., due to illness or family emergency), students must notify their instructor as soon as possible, preferably before the class session. It is the student’s responsibility to provide appropriate documentation if required by the instructor.
6. Make-up Policy: Make-up assignments or alternative arrangements for missed class sessions are at the discretion of the instructor. Students are encouraged to reach out to their instructor to discuss possible make-up options in advance.
7. Late Arrival: Students arriving late for class sessions, whether online or onsite, are responsible for their own punctuality. At their own discretion, faculty members may mark late arrivals either as a full or partial absence.

Tuition and Fees

The estimated cost for a semester for a new student taking 6 units in the MA Program is around PhP 21,000 or USD 370/EUR 350. Computation is based on tuition and fees for SY 2023-2024.

For more complete information regarding LST academic regulations and the the MA TH-STUD curriculum and its requirements, please download the LST Student Handbook from here: https://lst.edu/current-students/