Program Director: Fr. Tom Simonds, S.J.
Phone: 402-280-3602
Email: thomassimonds@creighton.edu

Program Director: Dr. Richard Miller
Phone: 402-280-3618
Email: richardmiller@creighton.edu

• Website

The departments of Theology and Education offer a two-year MA in Theology with a Teaching Certificate.  A student in this program will gain advanced knowledge in theology as well as practical knowledge in how to teach Catholic religion.  Students will have opportunities to practice their teaching during the program through guided field placements in local Catholic schools.  The Education component offers full Nebraska state certification for those remaining in the state as well as methods for teaching religion for those teaching elsewhere.  A faith formation component is integrated into the program so that students can deepen their own relationship with Jesus, the Master Teacher.

This program provides excellent professional preparation for persons seeking to teach Catholic religion in the school or parish setting and for persons preparing to be a director of religious education.  Creighton University supports Catholic education and generously offers full and partial scholarships to qualified students in this program.  If you feel called to the ministry of teaching the Catholic faith, please contact us for more information.

Types of Degrees: MA in Theology with Teaching Certificate

Duration: Two academic years and two summers

Number of Credits Required: 27-33 (plus 26 credits in education)

Cost: 50% tuition remission - $325 per credit hour (2009-2010 rate), plus university and technology fees.

Tuition Assistance/Scholarship:

• University tuition reduction:   The University offers a 50% tuition reduction for any student engaged in full-time or part-time ministry, paid or volunteer, lay or ordained.
• Bishop John R. Sheets Scholarship for the M.A. in Theology:  Students with demonstrated financial need and potential for excellence in study and ministry are eligible for a 10-25% tuition reduction.
• Richard J. Hauser, S.J.  Endowed Scholarship: Offers a tuition reduction up to 25% for qualified students.

Program Start: Summer

Calendar: Academic

Application Deadline: February 1 

Admission and Application Requirements:

• Earned Bachelor's degree with 3.2 cumulative grade point average
• 9 credit hours of Theology
• Passing scores on the PPST (Praxis I teacher exam)
• Completed Graduate School application form and application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Three recommendations (there is an electronic recommendation feature on the online application or form can be found here)
• Two writing samples - "Why I want to teach" and "Experiences with school age children and young adults"
• Mental capacity/felony conviction form signed and notarized
• On campus interview
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) - at least 500 on the Verbal section of the exam.  Applicants can be admitted on probationary status for GRE scores from 450-499. Probationary status means that the student must receive a B in the first three courses that the student takes in the program to remain in the program. We accept scores from the past 10 years.
• All students whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English with a score of 80 on the computer-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 550 on the paper-based test at the graduate level. Decisions on admission to the M.A. in Theology program are not made until TOEFL scores have been submitted.
• No transfer credits in Theology will be accepted in this program