The Common M.A. is an academic degree offered in cooperation with the nine member schools of the GTU. The program provides ecumenical and interreligious learning opportunities, and students have access to courses offered throughout the consortium, and many courses at UC Berkeley. The purpose of the program is to provide a basic understanding of theological or religious studies for further graduate study or for general academic purposes.

The Common M.A. is offered in several fields of study related to theology and religion, including specialized offerings in Biblical Languages, Buddhist Studies, Jewish Studies, and Orthodox Christian Studies.

The M.A. student is required to affiliate with a member school, or a participating academic center or institute. The primary academic base for the M.A. is the school of affiliation, chosen according to study interests and/or denominational ties. Students select a specific academic field or Area of Study as the focus of their M.A. work.

The Common M.A. is a two-year degree program requiring a total of fourteen 3-unit academic courses plus six units of thesis work. All M.A. students are required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one modern foreign language early in the second year of residence. Non-native speakers of English may, with permission, certify English as their second language.

M.A. Course Requirements

M.A. Areas of Study

GTU is accredited by:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Accreditation Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
510/748-9001

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1103
412/788-6505

GTU Member Schools

• American Baptist Seminary of the West
• Church Divinity School of the Pacific (Episcopal)
• Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology
• Franciscan School of Theology
• Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
• Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
• Pacific School of Religion (Multi-denominational)
• San Francisco Theological Seminary (Presbyterian)
• Starr King School for the Ministry (Unitarian Universalist)

Also offering the Common M.A.

• Center for Jewish Studies
• Institute of Buddhist Studies
• Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute

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M.A. Handbook