Religious Studies

Chairperson: Shannon F. Dunn
Professors: E. Clark, H. Doohan (Emerita), L. Doohan (Emeritus), J. Downey (Emeritus), S. Dunn,  P. Hartin (Emeritus), R. Large, K. McCruden, P. McCormick, J. Milos, C.S.J (Emerita), M. Rindge, L. Schearing (Emerita), J. Sheveland, C. Siejk (Emerita), B. Tyrrell, S.J. (Emeritus)
Associate Professors:R. Callahan, G. Chien, E. Goldstein, R. Hauck (Emeritus), J. Mudd, R. Siebeking, A. Wendlinder,  K. Vander Schel
Assistant Professors: I. Idumwonyi, M. McCabe, S. Porter 
Senior Lecturer: P. Baraza, S. Starbuck,
Lecturers: Q. Tran, S.J., B. Kevin Brown 

Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership

The Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University offers the Master of Arts in Theology and Leadership degree to meet the needs of persons seeking greater understanding and practical knowledge of theology and leadership. This program is designed as a terminal degree. Students enter the program as members of a cohort and progress through the program together. Students gather on campus during the summer for two residency experiences. Courses usually required for a degree can be waived by a Graduate Program Director when these areas have been previously studied in depth.

This program provides graduate theological education and leadership formation for teaching, consulting, research, and development of theological resources for ministry, adult education programs, and other services to the church and the wider civic community. Graduates of these programs have combined their theological work with diverse career commitments, including church ministry, journalism, medicine, community service, chaplaincy, business, and law, among others.

Admissions

1. Students applying to Gonzaga University must submit Gonzaga’s Graduate Application, which can be accessed online at https://www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply
2. Along with the application for graduate study, each program at Gonzaga has distinct admission requirements. Please refer to the table below to view that detailed information.

Prerequisites

An application is not complete and will not be evaluated until all materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Management.  Materials or fees submitted to another party do not constitute application to the program.  Applicants must fill out the application online at www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply

Applicants should have a B.A. in Religious Studies, Theology, or related area.  Applicants with a B.A. in other areas should show some experience in a religious or mission-related organization, such as, for example, volunteer work.

Applicants may be eligible for advanced standing of up to 6 credits for related graduate work as determined by the graduate Program Director(s). Applicants seeking advanced standing must petition the graduate director(s) in writing at the time of application.

Program Requirements

Students enter the program as members of a cohort and register for six credits per semester.

All work accepted toward a degree is to be completed within a five year period from the date of acceptance into the program, or from the date of the earliest course accepted transfer credits, whichever occurs first.

Students in a degree program are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students who fail to maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average may be put on probation or dismissed from the program. Credits which carry a letter grade of C-, D, F, AU, X, V, IP, RD or I, will not be counted toward a graduate degree.

Only authorized courses for a degree will be counted in computing the grade point average. Courses not authorized will appear on the transcript with a letter grade awarded but will not affect the graduate grade point average.

Residency Experiences

• Students will participate in two residency experiences during the summer.
• During the first residency experience students will participate in the intensive residency portion of the 3-credit Christian Leadership foundational course.
• During the second residency experience students will participate in a 1-credit Leadership Seminar.

Electronic Portfolio

• Students who have completed their main courses will take a comprehensive exam.
•  Students will be required to create a comprehensive electronic portfolio integrating their academic work.

Financial Aid

The department has a limited amount of financial aid available in the form of scholarships. They are awarded based on financial need and academic performance.