MA Theology and Christian Ministry Program

Join a vibrant community of graduate students and professors — on campus or online — in the Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry degree program at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Featuring core background courses in philosophy and theology, the curriculum is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, graduate-level education for complete mastery of all the fundamental areas of theology.

Deepening your Catholic faith and formation

Franciscan University offers an authentic graduate education in Catholic theology that is founded on Scripture and Tradition, as well as faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Franciscan’s Theology and Christian Ministry master’s degree program will help you grow intellectually and spiritually, inspiring you to serve Christ and his Church at work, at home, and in the world.

Here are just a few other ways Franciscan’s Theology and Christian Ministry master’s degree program stands out from the rest:

• On campus or online: You have three ways to take classes: exclusively on campus in Steubenville, Ohio, entirely online, or a combination of both. Franciscan’s online Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry offers rolling admissions and three sessions each year for flexibility and accessibility that allow you to balance graduate school with other work and life responsibilities. The Theology and Christian Ministry master’s program on campus offers opportunities for service learning, graduate-level research, practical training from the Center for Leadership, and study abroad through the Austria Program.
• Program options: Franciscan University’s Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry online or on campus offers a variety of choices to help you achieve your personal and career goals.
  • Prepare to work in a religious education setting with professional training and certification in the catechetics specialization, available only on campus in Steubenville, Ohio.
  • Take the canon law track to earn your Theology and Christian Ministry master’s degree at Franciscan while completing the first cycle of program requirements at the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law.
• Faithfully committed faculty: Franciscan’s on-campus or online Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry program is taught by some of the most respected Catholic theologians, scholars, authors, speakers, and apologists in the Catholic Church, with particular expertise in scripture and systematic theology. Franciscan is one of only 30 U.S. Catholic universities whose entire theology faculty have met canon law requirements for the mandatum, recognized by the bishop for their commitment to teach in communion with the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
• Exclusive access to Verbum for online students: Verbum is a digital platform of reference material for studying the Catholic faith. In the online Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry, you will gain unparalleled access to a wide selection of Catholic books at a steep discount. Explore the entire library by topic or reference, follow ideas through multiple texts, connect any quote to its source, or look up words at the click of a button.

Enrich your vocation in lay, priestly, or religious life, or prepare for further studies in theology. The on-campus or online Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry degree program is ideal for administrators, teachers in Catholic schools, and anyone excited to learn more about their Catholic faith.

Potential Job Titles for Theology and Christian Ministry Graduates

• Catholic School Teacher
• Parish Minister
• Missionary
• Business Leader
• Diocesan Staff

How to Apply for Admissions

Gaining admission to the MA Theology & Christian Ministry program is simple, and we are ready to help you navigate the process. Here are the things we need:

• Application
• Official Bachelor Transcript and Official Transcripts with Relevant Transfer Credit
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Email them to GradAdmissions@franciscan.edu

Or mail them to:

Graduate Admissions
1235 University Blvd.
Steubenville, Ohio 43952

Associated Costs

The costs associated with the MA in Theology & Christian Ministry program include:

• 600 per credit hour x 36 hours = $21,600 (for the 2024-25 academic year)

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need help please contact Graduate Admissions at GradAdmissions@franciscan.edu or (740) 283-6226 ext. 1

View the MA Theology Program in the Graduate Catalog