The two-year interdisciplinary MA program in Early Christian Studies is sponsored jointly by the Departments of Classics and Theology, with the participation of faculty in several other departments.

Our aim is to provide students from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds with the fundamental orientation, information, and aptitudes needed for the advanced study of early Christianity in their chosen disciplines. The program's goals, more concretely, are twofold: to develop the student's abilities in at least two ancient Christian languages and literatures (Latin and/or Greek and/or Syriac) and to impart a broad background of knowledge and method in the intellectual, historical, and social contexts of early Christianity.

The program offers beginning graduate students basic training in philology, theology, history, liturgy, art history, and philosophy. Each student develops a curriculum to meet individual needs in consultation with a committee of faculty advisers. All curricula are designed to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary language skills and have a sturdy grasp of the intellectual, historical, and social contexts of early Christianity and the methods and resources for studying them.

The program, therefore, is multidisciplinary in its course offerings but interdisciplinary in its basic orientation—so that each student's program is the result of integrative collaboration between the student, a committee of faculty who direct the student's program of study, and associated members of the teaching-and-research and library faculties in the areas of classical, biblical, early Christian, Byzantine, and medieval studies.

Financial support is available in the form of tuition scholarships and stipends.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

Required courses:
The Proseminar
Ancient Language A 2 courses (beyond introductory level)
Ancient Language B 2 courses (beyond introductory level)
Theology and Liturgy 4 courses
History and Ancient Religion 2 courses
Electives 3 courses

Other requirements:
1) French or German competency examination (at any time in the two years);
2) Final comprehensive examinations, including the translation of ancient texts in the two chosen languages and an examination on a set list of patristic texts;

Students who must undertake the study of an ancient language from the beginning will be expected to do so during Summer Session. Intensive beginning and intermediate courses in ancient languages and some advanced study of early Christian texts are provided on the Notre Dame campus each summer.

Other Details:

All graduate students at Notre Dame must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program; if this goes below 3.0 in any semester, one is on probation for the following semester, and is expected to raise the average above 3.0 to remain.

Funding for summer programs is not automatic; you must apply for summer funding from the Graduate School by March 1.

Being a "full-time student" in our program means taking a minimum of 3 courses in any semester.

You should discuss the details of your program, before the start of each semester, with your academic advisor, who is normally the director of the program. (Where apropriate, another faculty member connected with the program may serve as your advisor.)

Tuition Scholarships:

Students admitted into the program are awarded a full tuition scholarship amounting to approximately $37,000 per year.  A small stipend currently averaging $3,000 is also awarded.  Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.