"Reason, Faith, Service"

The graduate program "Early Christian Studies," administered by the Center for the Study of Early Christianity, offers M.A. and Ph.D. courses (the latter degree concluding with a dissertation), together with a Certificate in Early Christian Studies (currently under development).  The degrees are awarded in the School of Arts and Sciences.  The courses are taught either by the Mellon Professor or by faculty members in various Schools and Departments of the University.

Major Principles

a) The development of early Christianity is studied in its historical and cultural context, reaching beyond theological ideas and religious practice (although those will be at the forefront of study) and giving due attention to Jewish and other non-Christian influences.

b) Emphasis is placed on language skills - in Greek; and in Latin, Syriac, and Coptic (and other languages of the Christian Orient).  Students are also expected to read easily in German and in at least one other European language other than English (normally French or Italian).  Greater detail is provided under "Graduate Studies" in the left-hand menu.

c) The program is interdisciplinary, and the courses prescribed (again, see "Graduate Studies" in the left-hand menu) are taught (within the School of Arts and Sciences) in the Departments of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures and of Greek and Latin, and in the Schools of Theology and Religious Studies and of Philosophy.

Funding of M.A. and Ph.D. students

Applicants are not admitted to the program unless they qualify for a full tuition waiver.  A number of such scholarships are available specifically to the program.

Once such a scholarship has been awarded, applicants deemed suitable in relation to other criteria will receive it for a maximum of five years, together with an annual stipend of $18,000.

Applications

There are four pathways to admission:

1. Direct admission to the M.A./Ph.D. program in Early Christian Studies.

2 and 3. Admission to the Ph.D. program in Early Christian Studies via an M.A. completed at CUA in either Semitics or Greek and Latin.

4. Admission to the Ph.D. program in Early Christian Studies via an acceptable M.A. completed at some other institution.

All applicants should complete the form "Application for Graduate Admission", http://admissions.cua.edu/pdfs/graduateapp.pdf.  The program you have in mind may not be included in the provided list of graduate degree programs, and you will have to write it in on the line "Program" (this for those applying through pathways 1 and 4 above).  All your admissions options come under the heading "School of Arts and Sciences" - the "School" box you should tick.

Those applying through pathways 2 and 3 above should remember that they are applying in the first instance for admission as M.A. students to one of the two Departments specified above.  They should add on the line "Program" "with the intention of proceeding to a Ph.D. in Early Christian Studies."

Again, those applying through pathways 2 and 3 above should include, in addition to the "Statement of Purpose" required of every applicant, a separate signed letter addressed to the Chair of the Department concerned and to the Director, Center for the Study of Early Christianity (two copies, therefore), specifying their intention of completing a Ph.D. in Early Christian Studies.  The Chair of Semitics is currently Professor Sidney H. Griffith, and of Greek and Latin Professor Frank A.C. Mantello; and the Director of the Center is Professor Philip Rousseau.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Director, or the Administrative Assistant of the Center, Barbara Mullaney, mullaneb@cua.edu.

The Center

The Center for the Study of Early Christianity undertakes many other responsibilities, and a full account of its activities can be found by clicking on "Center" in the left-hand menu.