Marquette Offers New Masters Degree in Christian Doctrine Released: Oct. 21, 2005 In an effort to provide a greater educational background for parochial school teachers and church lay people, Marquette is offering a new master of arts in Christian doctrine (MACD) this fall. The degree is designed specifically to develop theology teachers for Catholic grade schools and high schools, as well as others working in the Christian tradition. "The new degree is intended primarily for those who at the grade school and high school levels will teach the basic history and doctrines of the Catholic Church,” says Rev. John D. Laurance, S.J. “The degree will also meet the needs of individuals planning to work in religious education programs, preparing to serve their religious communities, or simply looking for deeper theological enrichment.” Linda Johnson, a theology teacher at Catholic Memorial High School, knows from 23 years experience as an educator the special challenges involved with teaching religion classes. “Religious instruction demands an extensive knowledge base,” she says, “scripture, morality, Church doctrine and history, medical ethics and social justice, to name just a few topics. If the teacher also commits to helping students grow into a more adult spirituality, you can appreciate the extensive educational background a person needs to bring students into the full beauty of our Catholic tradition.” Dr. Patrick W. Carey, professor of theology at Marquette, recounts that during his nine years as department chair, he received many requests from people who wanted a master’s degree that enriched faith and understanding of Catholicism. Though the department already offered a master of arts in theology, the existing degree was intended for students seeking research-based careers. Many adults expressed a desire for a less academic, more comprehensive master’s curriculum. High school parochial teachers especially saw a gap between their personal knowledge and their class content. The MACD is designed to fill the void, touching on all aspects of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Education Curriculum. The curriculum itself takes on a creedal form, says Carey, “starting with God and ending with eternal life.” According to Father Laurance, the existing graduate curriculum was already so balanced that only two new courses were added to include scripture and historical tradition, the two issues most cited as weaknesses for educators. However, application of the MACD extends far beyond the scope of the parochial classroom. Directors of religious education programs and church laypersons can directly apply the curriculum to their daily work. The degree also provides an outlet for alumni and retirees looking for personal theological enrichment. Carey cites hospital staff and people who deal with care, death and ethics on a professional level as also benefiting from the degree’s Christian understanding of life, suffering, and healing. At Marquette, many students regularly engage in worship and faith-formation activities. However, like other Catholic young adults, there’s still room for further education: On average, out of 100 questions on basic issues in Christian doctrine, students answer only about 47 percent correctly. “This issue of religious illiteracy has focused attention on a better doctrinal preparation of those who are responsible for the religious education of Catholic young men and women,” Carey says. The push to educate Catholic students and their teachers ties in strongly with the Jesuit mission to serve the Catechetical needs of the church and take part in the catechesis of the young. “Since there is a demonstrable need for the MACD and no other Catholic university we know of is presently attempting expressly to meet that need, the very fact that we are offering it makes it to some degree 'successful' already,” says Father Laurance. For more information please visit http://www.marquette.edu/about/news/stories/macd031405.shtml or contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Marketing and Communication at (414) 288-0286. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Christopher Stolarski Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-1988 Send e-mail