"Formation for lay ecclesial ministry is a journey beyond catechesis into theological study. An important task for ministry formation is to provide a more complete and systematic study of the essentials of the faith."- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord
Earning a tuition-free master’s degree in theology
Echo partners with Notre Dame's M.A. in Theology degree program to give young catechetical leaders access to both a broad theological foundation in the basics of Catholic theology and a particular focus on catechetical theology and theological pedagogy.
While many of the theology courses are tailored to a ministerial audience, the aim of the M.A. program is to educate those working for the Church in developing and sharing advanced theological understanding with others in an effective way.
Echo facilitates an ongoing interchange between the academy and the Church. Throughout their time in the program, Echo students are given substantive opportunities to integrate their academic study of theology with their professional experience and personal formation and to allow their personal and professional experiences to inform and direct their academic study of theology.
This integrative approach forms leaders who are intellectually and pastorally adept at responding to the complex needs within the Church.
Students earn their academic credits through on-campus courses during the summer modules, online classes during the fall and spring semesters, and an intensive, pastoral/pedagogical course each winter. Echo students normally proceed through coursework each semester in a particular, prescribed sequence, which enables each student to meet the core-course and Echo-related requirements within the intensive two year program of studies.
The M.A. in Theology in Echo consists of the following components:
- a 36-credit master's program in theology, with a focus on teaching the faith and catechesis;
- intensive summer coursework on campus, supplemented with online courses throughout the academic year;
- opportunities for academic advising and theological mentoring by Notre Dame faculty;
- practical theological, pedagogical, and catechetical workshops;
- an on-campus seminar utilizing case study method for the integration of theological studies and ministerial praxis; and
- a comprehensive capstone seminar comprised of online coursework, an academic paper, and an on-campus presentation.
Summer Modules
Each summer includes two three-week modules of coursework. All students in Echo are required to take a full load of courses each summer module (two 3-credit courses each module, for a total of 12 credits).
In the first summer, students will normally take these 3-credit courses:
- Theology of Revelation
- Trinity & Christology
- Christian Doctrine for Catechists
- The Art of Catechesis (for parish apprentices) or Teaching Theology (for theology teachers and campus ministers)
In the second summer, students will normally take these 3-credit courses:
- Theological Integration
- Catholic Sacraments
- Ecclesiology
- Foundations of Moral Theology
In the second spring term and third summer, all students will take this 3-credit course: Comprehensive Capstone Seminar and Conference
Fall and Spring Semesters
Parish apprentices, campus ministers, and theology teachers will supplement their summer coursework with online courses during the academic year.
During the fall semester of the first year, apprentices will take Pastoral Theology as their online course. During the spring semester of their first year, theology teachers and campus ministers will take either Ecclesiology or Catholic Sacraments as their online course (depending on the year).
In the second fall semester all Echo students will take Spiritual Theology as their online course. In the final spring semester, students will enroll in the Capstone Research course, which culminates in their final summer with the presentation of their Capstone project.
Pastoral & Pedagogical Winter Courses
Echo students will return to Notre Dame’s campus each January to engage in a two-credit intensive course that will address relevant topics in pastoral and pedagogical practice. These courses are facilitated by leaders in the fields of ministry and religious education.
Click here to see an overview of an Echo student's typical course of study
Contact Geoff Burdell to learn more about the Echo program’s partnership with the M.A. in Theology degree program.