/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Announcements-local.json

/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2023-2024/Graduate-Announcements.json

Graduate Announcements > School of Theology and Religious Studies > Degree and Certificate Programs > Academic Areas > Moral Theology/Ethics

Moral Theology/Ethics

1. Faculty:

Academic Area Director:	Dr. David Cloutier
Ordinary Professors:	Dr. Joseph Capizzi Dr. William Barbieri Dr. John Grabowski
Associate Professors:	Dr. David Cloutier Dr. Paul Scherz
Assistant Professor:	Dr. David Elliot
Adjunct Faculty:	Dr. G. Kevin Donovan Rev. Kevin Fitzgerald, S.J. Dr. James Giordano Dr. Daniel Sulmasy

2. Description of Academic Area:

Moral Theology is the branch of Christian theology that focuses on the human response to the Christian revelation. It is studied in conversation with Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as well as with other disciplines such as philosophy, religious studies, politics, law, medicine, and the social and behavioral sciences.

This program is designed to provide men and women with advanced training in Moral Theology and Religious Ethics in order to prepare them for effective teaching, research, and publication in the academy, as well as for service providing ethical guidance to ministries of the Church and to other organizations

Students may focus their research in various branches of ethics, e.g., Social and Political, Economic, Environmental, Comparative, Biomedical, Sexual and Familial, or Virtue Theory.

The degrees offered, however, all aim to impart an overall understanding of the Catholic moral tradition, its sources, and historical development as well as contemporary methodological expressions and debates.

3. Degrees Offered:

1. Graduate Certificate in Catholic Clinical Bioethics
2. Civil Degrees:
   1. Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Bioethics
   2. Master of Arts (M.A.)
   3. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
3. Ecclesiastical Degrees:
   1. Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)
   2. Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)

4. Certificate in Catholic Clinical Bioethics:

The Certificate in Catholic Clinical Ethics prepares students to apply philosophical and medical principles in an ethical reasoning process based in Catholic moral theology perspective. The core courses build a foundation in the philosophy of medicine, applying ethical reasoning, and case analysis.

Courses are taught by faculty from the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America and the Department of Medicine and Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University Medical Center. Students are given access to faculty, staff, and academic and career resources at both institutions.

The courses cannot be used for completion of regular TRS Master of Arts (M.A.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

1. Admission Requirements:
   1. Admission will be determined by an admissions committee comprised of faculty from the Catholic University of America Moral Theology/Ethics Area and from Georgetown University's Pellegrino Center.
   2. The Catholic Clinical Ethics (CACE) Master of Arts and Certificate Programs require an online application to be submitted to the Biomedical Graduate Education through the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application portal. Application elements, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted through the online application system. Only transcripts and test scores should be submitted independently by the applicant's previous academic institution(s) and testing agency. Transcripts can be mailed before submitting an application.
   3. Applicants must possess a (four year) Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited institution completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
   4. A Statement of Purpose: In an essay of 500-700 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in Catholic theology and clinical Bioethics. Include your academic objective, research interests and career plans. Also, discuss your related qualifications including: collegiate activities, professional experience, community involvement, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application form.
   5. Three Letters of Recommendation: Submit three confidential letters of recommendation. Recommendations should come from former or present college or university instructors giving evidence of personal aptitude for, as well as interest in and motivation for, the field of moral theology and clinical Bioethics.
   6. A writing sample demonstrating the ability to do high quality research and analysis.
   7. International Students: Applicants from non-English speaking nations whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the United States are required to certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
   8. Non-refundable application fee.
   9. Official Transcripts: Applicants should contact the registrar of every post-secondary school previously attended and request an official transcript should be mailed to: Biomedical Graduate Education Admissions Office, SE108 Medical- Dental Building, 3900 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington D.C. 20057-1411.
2. Coursework Requirements:
   1. Students must complete the 3 required core courses (9 hours) and one elective (3 credits hours), and a portfolio (2 credit hours) to complete the certificate program.
   2. Core courses include:
      1. Philosophy of Medicine
      2. Applied Ethical Reasoning
      3. Foundations of Catholic Clinical Bioethics
   3. Elective Courses include: Ethics of Clinical and Translational Research, Introduction to the Profession of Medicine for Non-Clinicians, Catholic Social Teaching across the Institutional Spectrum of Healthcare, Bioethics and the Law
   4. A typical Portfolio will consist of all the student's reflective writing assignments completed during the program, accompanied by a synopsis of all the included work, written in light of knowledge gained in coursework and prior learning experiences.
   5. All classwork is completed online

5. M.A. in Catholic Clinical Bioethics:

The Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Bioethics is designed to provide fluency in understanding and applying bioethical concepts for those professionals who have responsibility for ethical policy and decision-making responsibility in healthcare settings. Through the Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Ethics core coursework, students develop a strong foundation in Catholic moral theology and the ability to apply philosophical and medical principles in an ethical reasoning process.

As a joint program between Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University and the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, students are given access to faculty, staff, and academic and career resources at both institutions.

Although the program will primarily be offered online, the degree includes a required on-site practicum which will take place during the final summer of a student's program.

1. Admission Requirements: Please refer to the admission requirements section of the "Certificate in Catholic Clinical Bioethics" for further information.
2. Coursework Requirements:
   1. In addition to the requirements for the Certificate, students must complete 3 additional required core courses (7 hours), two electives (6 credit hours), a Portfolio Capstone (two credits), and a Practicum (3 credits) to complete the M.A. program.
   2. Additional Core courses include:
      1. Medicine, Health, and the Human Person
      2. Applied Catholic Clinical Ethics
      3. Advanced Ethical Reasoning in Case Consultation
   3. Elective Courses include: Sexual Ethics and Beginning of Life Issues, Ethics of Genetics and Genomics, Neuroethics, Healthcare Policy, Ethics of Alternative Medicine, Disability Ethics, Pediatric Ethics, Organizational Ethics, Ethical Issues across the Spectrum of Healthcare
   4. In addition to the Portfolio, each MA student will write a research paper focused on an issue chosen by the student and an instructor. This paper will provide additional evidence of the student's ability to investigate, evaluate, and provide recommended action to address a selected issue in clinical ethics.
   5. The Practicum will include asynchronous and synchronous preparations for mediation and consult skills. It will conclude with a multi day onsite component. While staying at CUA, students will be exposed to the spirituality that undergirds Catholic clinical ethics and will engage in discussions of Catholic spiritual and sacramental practices as they relate to medical care. At Georgetown University Medical Center Department of Medicine, students will engage in simulated case consultations. Some consults may take place at Washington Hospital Center's Ethical Consult Simulation Program.
   6. All classwork is completed online through the practicum will be completed on-site during the final summer of a student's program.

6. Master of Arts (M.A.):

The M.A. program in Moral Theology/Ethics is designed to introduce students to scholarship and research in theology and religious studies in general and to Moral Theology/Ethics in particular. This program provides a basic grounding in Moral Theology/Ethics, along with an introduction to other disciplines in the School.

1. Admission Requirements: Please refer to the admission requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.)" for further information.
2. Coursework Requirements (30 credits):
   1. TRS 632A: Christian Social Ethics.
   2. TRS 630A: Foundations of Christian Moral Life.
   3. A course in methodology (e.g., TRS 660 History and Method in Theology, TRS 661 Christian Anthropology, TRS 760 Theological Foundations, or TRS 780 Foundations of Religious Studies).
   4. Three additional Moral Theology/Ethics courses may be chosen from among other areas of concentration in the School of Theology and Religious Studies (STRS) or from other relevant disciplines outside of STRS.
   5. The remaining courses are electives and may be taken in any area of study offered by School of Theology and Religious Studies.
   6. Students may complete the research requirement in two ways:
      1. Paper option: two major research papers demonstrating an ability to incorporate sources written in the student's chosen modern language are to be written in courses at the 600 or 700 level. Each paper must be on a topic directly related to the study of Moral Theology and Ethics. These papers become part of the student's file. This option requires 30 hours of coursework along with 2 major research papers.
      2. Thesis option: An M.A. thesis (with 2 semesters of thesis guidance) which counts as 6 of the required 30 credits.
   7. Please refer to the coursework requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.)" for more information.
3. Language Requirements:
   1. M.A. students must demonstrate reading proficiency for theological research in 1 modern language (normally French or German). Another language may be substituted, but only if it is demonstrated that the student will use it in completing research.
   2. Please refer to the language requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.)" for more information.
4. Comprehensive Examination: The purpose of the M.A. comprehensive examination is to enable the student to synthesize issues and problems in the area of Moral Theology/Ethics. The examination will draw upon material in a reading list on a set of topics available from the academic area. The M.A. comprehensive exam is normally taken in the final semester of course work. Students are required to have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average to be eligible to take comprehensive exams.

7. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Moral Theology/Ethics represents a significant achievement in theological scholarship and research. The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare graduate students to make significant contributions to knowledge in a major area of moral theological or ethical inquiry while broadening their understanding of other areas of theology. By means of research seminars, advanced level courses, language skills, comprehensive examinations, and an extensive research project, the program is designed to develop graduates who are capable of through theological understanding and careful research. Students also select a minor area from in or outside of the School to support their doctoral research.

1. Admission Requirements:
   1. Ordinarily, applicants will have taken 12 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate philosophy.
   2. Students who enter the Moral Theology and Ethics Ph.D. program with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses to complement their doctoral level courses.
   3. Please refer to the admission requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" for further information
2. Coursework Requirements:
   1. A minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework beyond the M.A. degree.
   2. 18 of the 36 credit hours are to be taken in the area of Moral Theology and Ethics, including the 4 Moral Theology and Ethics core courses: TRS 830E: Ethics and Politics in St. Augustine [MT/E Core #1], TRS 835B: The Moral Theology of St. Thomas [MT/E Core #2], TRS 737E: Freedom, Law, Rights [MT/E Core #3], TRS 737D: Twentieth-Century Theological Ethics [MT/E Core #4].
   3. An additional 9 credit hours are electives that may be taken in any of the academic areas of the STRS.
   4. At least 9 credit hours of coursework in a designated minor area.
   5. In conjunction with courses taken on the 700 and 800 levels, students are required to produce 4 research papers that will become a part of the student's permanent file. The Moral Theology and Ethics faculty will review these research papers prior to the student being admitted to doctoral candidacy. All four of these papers should be relevant to the student's program in Moral Theology and Ethics. Two must give evidence of the student's proficiency in doing research using foreign languages. Each paper is to be evaluated by the course professor and given a letter grade before it is submitted to the Area Director who will place it in the student's file following review and acceptance.
   6. Please refer to the coursework requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" for more information.
3. Language Requirements:
   1. Demonstrated reading proficiency and facility for use in theological research in at least 1 modern research language (normally French or German) and either Latin or Greek.
   2. Additional languages may be required by a student's own research.
   3. Please refer to the language requirements section of the "Civil Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" for more information.
4. Comprehensive Examination:
   1. The comprehensive examinations include both written and an oral exam.
   2. There are 3 foci of the written examinations, in the following areas:
      1. General moral theology
      2. The student's proposed area of dissertation research within moral theology/ethics
      3. The student's minor area
   3. The subject matter of each examination will be based on a list of topics corresponding to the above foci compiled by the student in consultation with, and pending the approval of, the student's comprehensive exam committee.
   4. The written exams may be scheduled over a period of up to 7 days.
   5. Following successful completion of the written portion of the comprehensive examinations, students will be given a 90 minute oral examination.
   6. The subject matter of the oral exam includes the entirety of the book lists for the written exams.
   7. Please refer to the comprehensive exam section of the "Civil Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" for more information.
5. Candidacy: Upon successful completion of comprehensive exams, the student will apply to the academic area director of MT/E for candidacy. The MT/E faculty will evaluate the student's application for candidacy and make a recommendation to the School.
6. Dissertation: Please refer to the dissertation section of the "Civil Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" for further information.

8. Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)

The S.T.L. in Moral Theology aims to give students a basic grounding in the sacred science covering fundamental moral theology, the historical development of the Catholic moral tradition, and current developments in the various branches of contemporary theological ethics.

1. Admission Requirements:
   1. Ordinarily, students must possess an S.T.B. degree from a pontifical university or faculty or its equivalent.
   2. Please refer to the admission requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
2. Language Requirements:
   1. Reading proficiency and facility for use in theological research in two ancient languages (Latin and Greek) and one modern language (ordinarily French and German).
   2. Please refer to the language requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
3. Coursework Requirements:
   1. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework at the 700 or 800 level in the area of moral theology, plus 6 credit hours for the thesis. Thesis credits will be awarded after the thesis has been approved.
   2. To qualify for S.T.L. comprehensive examinations, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0.
   3. During their first year, S.T.L. students are required to take the doctoral Pro-Seminar (TRS 799).
   4. Please refer to the coursework requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
4. Comprehensive Examination:
   1. The written examination in moral theology is a two-part exam, administered in two three-hour periods over two days. It is based on a reading list of topics and bibliographies available from the academic area.
   2. The comprehensive examinations include both written exams and an oral exam.
   3. Please refer to the comprehensive exams section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
5. Admission to Candidacy: Please refer to the admission to candidacy section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
6. Thesis: Please refer to the thesis section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.
7. Final Grade: Please refer to the final grade section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Licentiate In Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)" for more information.

9. Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)

The S.T.D. in Moral Theology is a degree conferred after students with a basic tested theological orientation and proven competence in moral theology have shown ability for achievement in scholarly research and teaching. The program is focused on completion of a limited number of seminars and the preparation and defense of a dissertation.

1. Admission Requirements:
   1. Ordinarily, students must possess an S.T.L. in moral theology from a pontifical university or faculty or its equivalent.
   2. Please refer to the admission requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D)" for more information.
2. Language Requirements:
   1. Students must demonstrate reading proficiency and facility for use in theological research in 2 ancient languages (Latin and Greek) and 2 modern languages (normally French and German).
   2. Please refer to the language requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)" for more information.
3. Coursework Requirements:
   1. 12 credit hours of coursework in moral theology at the 700 or 800 level.
   2. Please refer to the coursework requirements section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)" for more information.
4. Admission to Candidacy: Please refer to the admission to candidacy section of the “Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)" for more information.
5. Dissertation: Please refer to the dissertation section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)" for more information.
6. Lectio coram: Please refer to the Lectio coram section of the "Ecclesiastical Degrees: Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)" for more information.