Sunday, May 3, 2009

Cost Cuts: Catholic Jesuit Univesity Closing Down Theology Masters Program

Three courses with six students in each class

University of San Francisco shutting down graduate theology program

Beginning this fall, the Jesuit-run University of San Francisco will end its graduate program in theology, citing low demand for its Master of Arts in Theology.

“The university currently does not offer a Master of Arts in Theology and is not accepting applications for Fall 2009 admission,” says an announcement on the university’s website under the heading, “Theology Graduate Program Overview.”

USF spokesman Gary McDonald told Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan weekly, that in the current semester, there were sufficient students for just three courses, with an average enrollment of six in each class.

The university will instead “focus its resources on undergraduate theology and religious studies,” reported the April 24 edition of Catholic San Francisco.

USF graduate students currently enrolled in the theology program will be allowed to complete their degrees, said the archdiocesan newspaper, but will not accept new students.

“USF is working with both Santa Clara University and the Jesuit School of Theology to help accommodate any student who may be interested in pursuing an advanced degree in theology,” Catholic San Francisco reported. “USF will continue to offer theology and religious studies programs for undergraduates, including a major and minor, a required class for all undergraduates, an interdisciplinary minor in Catholic Studies and Social Thought and the St. Ignatius Institute Great Books program grounded in the tradition of Christian humanism.”

Link (here)

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