The M.A. in Orthodox Christian Studies allows for focused study of the history, theology, liturgy, spirituality, and praxis of the Orthodox Christian tradition from its origins to its present day. It is not designed to prepare a student for ordained ministry within the Orthodox Church. The purposes of the M.A. in Orthodox Christian Studies are:

1. to explore and to enrich one's knowledge and understanding of the Eastern Orthodox Church
2. to provide an academic structure for sustained inquiry into the theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church
3. to provide the theological foundation for service and leadership within an Orthodox parish or diocesan ministry
4. to prepare students for academic study at the doctoral level

The M.A. in Orthodox Christian Studies is structured to take advantage of the ecumenical and interfaith environment of the Graduate Theological Union. You will study alongside other students from many different faith traditions, thus strengthening your ability to communicate Orthodox Christianity to others and to reflect upon Orthodox Christianity from the perspective of others. This will prepare you for future engagement with the multireligious and multicultural contexts in which the Orthodox Church finds itself.

Program Requirements

The program requirements follow those of the the GTU Common M.A., with additional stipulations. For details about the Common M.A. of the Graduate Theological Union and issues not covered by this description, please consult the GTU catalog.

Courses:
Fourteen full courses (42 units) are required, at least five of which shall be offered by faculty associated with the PAOI, and five offered by faculty from GTU member schools. Students must take one course each in Biblical Studies, History, Theology, and Ethics. Eight courses (24 units) in Orthodox Christian Studies are required for the degree. In the specialized M.A., the courses are distributed as follows:

• Orthodox Christianity: History and Theology
• Orthodox Christian Spirituality
• One course in each of the following: History, Liturgy, Theology and Patristics (may be fulfilled simultaneously with the general distribution).
• Two additional courses in an area of specialization (History, Liturgy, Spirituality, Theology, or Patristics)

Courses taught by GTU faculty that fulfill requirements for this degree will be identified on an annual basis. Courses taught by the University of California at Berkeley that will fulfill requirements for this degree will also be identified. M.A. students may cross register one course per semester at the University of California at Berkeley.

Language
A student must demonstrate proficiency in at least one language helpful to the study of Eastern Christianity (French, German, modern Greek, Russian, Church Slavonic, Serbian, Arabic, Coptic, et al) and the thesis topic of the student.

Thesis
Students are required to submit a thesis that represents the equivalent of at least two three-unit courses.

Library Resources
The Library of the Graduate Theological Union provides students and faculty with a rich and unique learning environment. The Library's collection reflects the broad theological and academic spectrum of the GTU, as well as the diversity found within Christian traditions and within global Christianity. In addition, the collection is growing in the areas of Judaism, Buddhism and Islam.
Students of the GTU have borrowing privileges at the Library of the University of California, Berkeley, one of the five largest libraries in the United States.

Financial Aid
Students are expected to apply for financial aid throught the Graduate Theological Union. The PAOI has some scholarship resources available for students enrolled in the M.A. program.

Accreditation
The M.A. in Orthodox Christian Studies is awarded by the Graduate Theological Union, which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Faculty

Eugenia Constantinou, PH.D., (cand.) Adjunct Instructor, Area of specialization: New Testament studies

John Klentos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Eastern Orthodox Studies, GTU. Area of specialization: Liturgy. Ph.D., Notre Dame University.

John Thomas, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor. Area of specialization: Byzantine History. Ph.D., Harvard University.

Valerie Karras, Ph.D., Th.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor. Area of specialization: Church history and Patristics. Ph.D., Catholic University of America, Th.D., Aristotelian University of Thessalonike.

Paul G. Manolis, Area of specialization: Modern Greek and History.

Bradley Nassif, Ph.D.

Nick Tarlson, Area of specialty iconography, music.

Eve Tibbs, Ph.D. , area of specialty religious education.

Anton Vrame, Ph.D., area of specialty, icons and religious education.

2004 - 2005 Course Listings

2005 - 2006 Course Listings

Fall 2006 Course Offerings

Spring 2007 Course Offerings

Fall 2007 - Spring 2008

Course Syllabi

Application Process


For further information contact:
Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute
2311 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, California 94709 USA
Tel: 510 649 3450
Fax: 510 841 6605
Email: paoi@ses.gtu.edu
www. orthodoxinstitutre.org

To appply contact:
Admissions Office
The Graduate Theological Union
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, California 94709 USA
Tel: 510 649 2400
or 800 826 4488
www.gtu.edu
email: gtuadmin@gtu.edu