Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture

The goal of the program is to provide students with academic Masters-level study of and engagement with the entire (Roman Catholic) Canon of the Christian Sacred Scriptures.

Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to…

1. Demonstrate graduate-level familiarity with the entire range of biblical books in the (Roman Catholic) Canon
2. Apply a range of biblical methods and hermeneutical principles (orally and in writing) to books/passages of Sacred Scripture
3. Prepare presentations on biblical topics which demonstrate a range of abilities including – the ability to use multi-media, evaluate and critique select biblical materials, facilitate a discussion or field questions based on the presentation and to engage positively with feedback
4. Demonstrate familiarity of the use of (sections of) the books of the Bible in the Lectionary
5. Demonstrate competence in relation to the use of biblical tools and resources (online or hard copies) such as concordances, lexicons, bible encyclopedias, commentaries, books, journals and more
6. Become a competent practitioner and facilitator of Bible-based practices such as Scripture study groups, retreats and Lectio Divina.

See the section in the Catalogue under General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies.

Candidates must complete a total of 36 credit hours in Scriptural studies. No more than 12 credit hours of graduate studies completed in other graduate schools may be transferred. Ordinarily, credits earned more than ten years prior to admission will not be transferred.

Candidates must complete:

1. 26 credit hours of core courses. These courses cover the full range of biblical books in the Canon, provide historical background, and expose students to a diversity of exegetical methods.
2. 4 credit hours of Scripture Practicum. Students will be required to complete a Biblical Writing Project (2 credit hours) to strengthen and integrate their research and writing skills. They will also be required to take either a practicum in Supervised Lectio Divina (2 credit hours) or in use of The Bible in Retreats and Study Groups (2 credit hours). The practicums are particularly oriented to promote the personal growth and professional development of students; and to enable them to apply the scriptures in ways that serve the mission of the Church and promote ecumenism.
3. 6 credit hours of elective courses. Students are required to take 2 credit hours in a biblical language and 2 credit hours in practical approaches to the use of Sacred Scripture (e.g. in contemporary issues, preaching, prayer, liturgy, catechesis, etc.).
4. The candidate ordinarily completes the 36 credit program as a full-time student in two years. A part-time student can expect the program to take 3 to 4 years.
5. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for all courses applicable to the degree.

Core Courses (26 credit hours)

SS 6100 Canon and History

SS 6200 Scriptural Hermeneutics or Interpretar la Escritura

SS 7213 Wisdom Literature

SS 7311 The Torah or La Torá

SS 7312 Prophetic and Historical Literature of the OT

SS 7331 Synoptic Gospels or Evangelios sinópticos

SS 7333 Johannine Literature

SS 7237 The Acts of the Apostles

SS 7336 Pauline Literature or Cartas de San Paulo 

SS 7234 Hebrews and Catholic Epistles

SS 7235 The Apocalypse

Scripture Practicum (4 credit hours)

SS 9202 Biblical Writing Project (required)

SS 9201 The Bible in Retreats and Study Groups

SS 9200 Supervised Lectio Divina

Elective Courses (6 credit hours) [1]

PS 7340 Evangelization and Faith Formation

SS 7210 Africana Biblical Hermeneutics

SS 7229 Praying the Psalms with Christ in the Liturgy

SS 7231 Scripture for Preaching

SS 7242 The Parables of Jesus

SS 7285 Engaging Scripture Today

SS 7276 Biblical Foundations in Spirituality

SS 7250 Biblical Greek I

SS 7251 Biblical Greek II

SS 7260 Biblical Hebrew I

SS 7261 Biblical Hebrew II

[1] A student is required to take at least 2 credit hours in a Biblical language.

BYBLOS (Bring your Bible and Love of Scripture) is a new initiative at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio. It aims to build community among those who wish to learn more about the Word of God or long to delve deeper into the sacred texts. This network also seeks to promote the new MA Sacred Scripture program being offered at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio (available fully online)!