Master Of Arts In Applied
Theology (M.A.A.T.)
Program Goals
The Elms College M.A.A.T. program seeks:
- To enroll interested
and talented women and men who wish to familiarize
themselves with the agenda of contemporary
theology as it is reflected in concrete pastoral
settings.
- To encourage sensitivity to the broad scope
of church ministry within the local and global
church.
- To
facilitate supervised practica, which promote
the integration of theological and pastoral skills.
- To empower
women and men to assume meaningful professional
roles within the ecclesial community.
Program Components
The M.A.A.T. program is a professional 36 semester-hour
graduate degree program for religious educators,
pastoral ministers, and other outreach service
personnel. The
program fosters a theory-into-practice approach
to sacred theology. All courses are chosen
in careful consultation
with an assigned faculty advisor.
The M.A.A.T.
program integrates 30 semester-hours of courses.
In addition, three semester-hours
of a pastoral
project or professional reading proposal
are required. Upon successful completion
of the
project/readings, students register for
three semester-hours of
thesis
or project
guidance.
During this period of thesis or
project guidance, the student works in close contact
with a
chosen faculty
mentor. Upon successful completion, both
M.A.A.T. projects and theses are formally
presented
before a board of three
faculty members. Final copies of M.A.A.T.
theses and projects must be deposited
in the Elms
College Alumnae
Library before degree conferral is indicated
on the M.A.A.T. transcript.
M.A.A.T. Thesis:
Students complete a paper of approximately 60 pages
in length,
in
which they
research a particular
area of theological/pastoral concern.
The exact topic of the paper is determined
in collaboration
between
the M.A.A.T. student and faculty mentor.
The topic is then
approved by the M.A.A.T. program director.
M.A.A.T.
Project: The program includes an opportunity to expand
upon the theological
and pastoral
significance of a specific and carefully
documented ministerial
project undertaken under the direction
of
a faculty mentor. As
a rule, a M.A.A.T. project involves
a minimum of 100 hours engagement
in the
given pastoral
setting.
Significant
learning gained and questions raised
by such pastoral engagement are summarized
in a paper
between 15
and 20 pages in length. In addition,
students
present a carefully
documented portfolio tracing the
project's development.
The M.A.A.T. thesis/project must
be successfully presented prior
to degree
conferral.
Areas of Application
Consistent with efforts to foster
a theory-into-practice approach
to sacred
theology, the following
areas of application are offered
in response to the
needs of today's church:
- Religious
education
- Parish ministry
- Social justice ministry
- Health care ministry
Appropriately degreed and experienced
field supervisors in
each of the areas of application
facilitate
the integration of
theoretical and applied courses.
Professional and Theological
Collaboration
Full-time members of
M.A.A.T. faculty hold
memberships
and participate
in the activities
of numerous
professional and theological
societies. These societies
include the Catholic
Theological Society
of America (CTSA),
the College Theology
Society
(CTS), and
the American Academy
of Religion (AAR).
Since
its inception in 1988 the M.A.A.T. program at Elms
College has collaborated with individual faculty members
from Catholic University of America, Georgetown University,
Weston Jesuit School of Theology and the former Maryknoll
School of Theology. Such collaboration
is achieved through guest lecturing and participation
in the summer Elms Learningfest.
In addition, the department
sponsors the
annual Mary A. Dooley
Lecture Series in Religious
Studies.
Named in
honor of the
sixth president
of the College
of our Lady of the
Elms, this series brings
to
the campus
speakers of
national and
international acclaim.
Each
year, an academic credit
option is made available
to interested
M.A.A.T.
students
who choose
to
participate in the
series.
Advising
Upon formal acceptance
into the M.A.A.T.
program, the
student selects a
faculty advisor in consultation
with
the director of the
M.A.A.T. program.
Students meet
regularly throughout
the academic
year with the assigned
faculty
advisor. All courses
are chosen
in consultation with
the assigned advisor.
Grading
A minimum average
of B (3.0) must
be maintained
during
the entire
period of matriculation.
Students not
maintaining a minimum
average
of B
will meet with
the director of the M.A.A.T.
program
to determine
the feasibility
of continued matriculation
in the
M.A.A.T. program.
Waiver
Policy
All students must
complete a minimum
of 36 semester-hours
of course
work to receive
the M.A.A.T.
degree. However, certain
courses
may be waived
upon recommendation
of the student's
faculty
advisor,
and with
the approval
of the director
of the M.A.A.T.
program.
When
a required
course is waived,
the student must
add
an elective
course
to earn 36 credits. |
