Migration Theology Program

Migration is a growing phenomenon in Asia, and all indications suggest that it will remain an important aspect of the region’s landscape. The local churches in countries of origin and destination in Asia are called to promote theological reflection and studies on this phenomenon.

The instruction Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi states: "Episcopal Conferences will likewise entrust to Catholic university faculties in their territories the task of studying the various aspects of migration more thoroughly for the benefit of concrete pastoral service for migrants. Compulsory courses of theological specialization could also be programmed for this purpose" (EMCC, 71).

To answer this call, Loyola School of Theology, the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (CBCP-EMCI), and the Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) have established a special program in Migration Theology. The program is tailored to meet the different needs of lay pastoral workers, religious, and ordained persons involved in this ministry. It also aims to train students of theology in addressing this important concern of the Church today.

Certificate Program in the Pastoral Care of Migrants

The requirements for enrolling in the Certificate Program are as follows:

a) proof of proficiency in the English language through the LST English Proficiency Test;

b) accomplished application and registration forms;

c) a letter of recommendation from the superior, bishop, or official of the applicant’s institution;

d) at least 2 years of college (or its equivalent) and a basic theology course.

The required five courses for this program are offered during the first semester of each academic year (from June to October). Four courses are compulsory; one subject is chosen from a list of elective migration courses. All courses are open to auditors.

MTP01 Introducing Theologies of Migration

MTP02   Bible and People of God on the Move (Reading Course)
MTP03   Migration in the Catholic Social Teaching
MTP04   Management of Pastoral Programs in Migration
MTP       One course may be chosen from the other migration course offerings

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.), major in Migration Theology

For admission into the Licentiate in Sacred Theology Program with a field of specialization in Migration Theology, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology (S.T.B), issued by an ecclesiastical faculty of theology. They must also have at least a general average of 2.0 (B+). Those who have finished four years of theology from a school of theology that does not offer the S.T.B. may still qualify for the S.T.L. program provided they have the same average grade as above and can offer some proof of their capacity to write a tesina (e.g., a research paper they have written in their seminary course).

Language Requirements

The STL program requires a working knowledge of one modern language, besides English, in which significant theological writing has been done (e.g., German, French, or Spanish), one Biblical language, and Ecclesiastical Latin. The requirements may be satisfied either by [a] taking language courses of two semesters each language in any university/college, provided that at least a grade of B is attained; or by [b] passing a proficiency test administered by LST in any or all of these languages. The test, lasting for 30 minutes, consists in translation of a page of Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek, or Ecclesiastical Latin, or German, or French, or Spanish, with the aid of a dictionary. The language requirements must be fulfilled before writing the tesina.

Course Work

The program requires at least three semesters of course work in which the student must successfully complete seven courses on migration (21 units), two of which must be reading courses. The reading course includes pre-arranged meetings with the professor to discuss the reading materials. Four other courses (12 units) on migration are taken by the student from a list of available migration electives to complete his or her studies. With the permission of the Dean, the student may take other courses closely related to the study of migration.

Comprehensive Examination

After successfully completing the STL course work the student must pass an oral comprehensive examination. With the help of a professor, the student prepares four (4) to six (6) general thesis statements from courses in his/her field of concentration, each thesis supported by a short, pertinent bibliography. When his/her theses have been judged to be satisfactory by the professor, these are submitted to the Dean for his approval. The thesis statements are then submitted to the examiners, and the student is given at least one month to prepare for the examination. On a date set by the school the student takes the oral examination before a panel of three professors, one of whom is the mentor. Each professor is given 15 minutes to examine the candidate. In case of failure, only one retake is allowed. A second failure automatically disqualifies the student from the program.

Tesina

The STL program requires the writing and successfully defending a tesina or thesis. Students who are ready to begin work on the tesina must register for Thesis Direction and obtain from the Loyola School of Theology Office a copy of the guidelines for writing a tesina .

a) Nature of the STL Tesina: The tesina grows out of the work of the seminars and reading courses and presents the principal work of the program. It is not necessary that the tesina make an original contribution to theology. However, on the level of method, it should show a sound grasp of theological method, rigorous application, and precision of expression – in short, an aptitude for scientific theological research. It should have the quality of a research article in a scientific theological publication. The tesina is prepared under the direction of a mentor appointed by the Dean.

b) STL Tesina Proposal Defense: Under the guidance of the mentor appointed by the Dean, the student writes a tesina proposal. The proposal, which can serve as the first chapter of the tesina, should present and discuss the following: [1] The Problem of the Tesina; [2] Scope and Limitations; [3] The Significance of the Problem; [4] Methodology; [5] Definition of Key Terms; and [6] Basic Bibliography.

The proposal (excluding bibliography) should normally not exceed 10 pages and should follow the LST Style Manual (based on Turabian, 6th edition). Once approved by the mentor, five (5) copies of the tesina proposal are submitted to the Dean who appoints a panel of two professors plus the mentor to examine the proposal. On a date specified by the school the student defends his proposal orally before the panel.

The defense consists in [1] a clear presentation (for about 15 minutes) of the written proposal by the writer, covering the tesina's basic problem or theme, its scope and limitation, its importance, and the basic sources (bibliography) and methods to be used; [2] each professor reviews the proposal with the writer through questions, suggestions, etc., usually for a period of 10 to 15 minutes, depending upon the particular needs of the proposal. The professors may offer brief written recommendations, analyses, suggestions, etc. to the writer, copies of which are also given to the mentor and the Dean's Office.

c) STL Tesina Writing: After the proposal has been approved by the panel, the student may now proceed to writing the tesina chapter by chapter. All throughout the writing of the thesis the student must seek the guidance of his/her mentor. Each chapter must be approved by the mentor one at a time. The STL tesina should be between 80 to 150 pages in length (excluding Bibliography).

d) STL Tesina Public Defense: After the mentor has formally certified the tesina ready for public defense, a second reader is assigned by the Dean. Ideally, the second reader is chosen from among the panel of the tesina proposal defense.

It is the task of the second reader to ascertain that the tesina is ready for defense. He/she has the right to order any changes in the tesina he/she considers necessary for it to be truly ready for defense. He/she has the right to declare the tesina not ready for defense and send it back to the student and mentor for further work.

No tesina can be submitted to the other examiners and be scheduled for defense before the second reader has approved it. In case of an unsolvable conflict between the second reader and mentor, an independent panel appointed by the Dean will decide the issue.

After the second reader declares the tesina ready for defense and after all his/her suggested corrections or changes have been made, the tesina will be submitted to the other readers that, together with the second reader, shall make up the panel of examiners. A date for the defense is then scheduled.

For a tesina of ordinary length, four weeks must be allowed for the second reader to finish his task of reviewing the tesina . An additional two weeks needs to be allowed for the other reader to prepare for the defense of the tesina . The tesina mentor will be the third member of the panel of examiners. ( Note the cut off date for defense in the academic calendar of the school for each semester.)

Final Grade

The final grade for the STL program is computed in the following way: forty percent for course work, thirty percent for the tesina, and thirty percent for the final comprehensive examination.

Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, major in Pastoral Theology

With Special Focus on Migration (non-thesis)

To get accepted to the MA in Pastoral Ministry program, the applicants must have a government-recognized (civil) bachelor’s degree with at least 12 units of undergraduate (college) theology courses. Moreover, they must have attained at least a general undergraduate average of B (2.5 or 85) with no grade of “failure” or “condition”. This program requires at least four semesters of course work in which the student must complete successfully fifteen (15) master’s level courses which belong to the following categories:

Theo 236      Introducing Theologies of Migration

[3] Electives (5 courses)

Theo 222.1   The Bible and People of God on the Move (Reading Course)
Theo 245.3   Ecclesiology and Ministries in Migration Context
Theo 263.1   The Human Rights of Migrants
Theo 298      Body, Sexuality and Gender in Migration (Reading Course)

Theo 281.1 Spirituality in an Age of Mobility

Comprehensive Examination

After completing his/her course work, the student must pass a written comprehensive examination. The students must be registered with the Ateneo de Manila University to take the comprehensive examination. Note: one cannot register for comprehensive examination while still on course work or still have an incomplete grade (INC) in his/her course work.

The comprehensive examinations are scheduled once each semester and in the summer. Students who cannot take the comprehensive examination during the regular schedule must wait until the next examination period. Those who cannot complete the two parts of the examination at the schedule must repeat the entire comprehensive at the next examination period.

The two-part written examination is given on two successive Saturdays: Part I covers the foundation courses (Revelation-Faith; Christology; Ecclesiology; Fundamental Moral Theology; and Christian Worship); and Part II covers the courses the student has taken in his/her area of concentration.

The two parts of the exams are graded separately. The passing grade for the comprehensive examination is 2.5 (B). In case of failure, only one retake is allowed. Students who fail the retake are dropped from the program unless, for special reason, the Standards and Degrees Committee recommends a second retake. In retake comprehensive examinations, students need to repeat only the parts failed.

M.A. in Theological Studies, major in Pastoral Theology

With Special Focus on Migration (thesis)

To get accepted to the MA Theological Studies program, the applicants must have a government-recognized (civil) bachelor’s degree with at least 12 units of undergraduate (college) theology courses. Moreover, they must have attained at least a general undergraduate average of B (2.5 or 85) with no grade of “failure” or “condition”. This program requires at least three semesters of course work in which the student must complete successfully 10 master’s level courses belonging to the following categories:

[1] Foundation Courses (5 courses)

Theo 204      Ecclesiology
Theo 205      Revelation-Faith
Theo 207      Christology
Theo 208      Fundamental Moral Theology
Theo 209      Christian Worship

[2] Field of Concentration: Pastoral Theology (all 3 courses)

Theo 276      Migration in the Catholic Social Teaching
Theo 276.1   Justice and Migration
Theo 288.5   Management of Pastoral Programs in Migration

[3] Electives (choose 2 courses)

Theo 222.1   The Bible and People of God on the Move (Reading Course)
Theo 236      Introducing Theologies of Migration
Theo 245.3   Ecclesiology and Ministries in Migration Context
Theo 263.1   The Human Rights of Migrants
Theo 281.1   Spirituality in an Age of Mobility
Theo 292.1   Pastoral Care of Migrants

Theo 298 Body, Sexuality and Gender in Migration (Reading Course)

Probation Period

Before successfully completing eighteen (18) units of course work, the student is on academic probation status ... until he/she has been approved for definitive acceptance to the MA-TS program by the Dean upon the recommendation of the Admissions Committee. The bases for the definitive acceptance are the grades, the professors’ evaluations, proficiency in English, and at least one major research paper written in the MA-TS course work.

Major Research Paper

The paper should conform to the following specifications: [1] it must be between 15-30 pages in length; [2] it must be formatted according to LST Style Manual based on Turabian, 6th edition]; [3] it must include footnotes and at least one full-page bibliography listing only the titles of books and articles that have actually been cited in the paper; [4] it must have received a grade of at least B (2.5).

Note: The sources of quotations and borrowed ideas must be fully acknowledged in the footnotes. Failure to do so is tantamount to plagiarism, which is penalized with a failing grade in the course and an appropriate sanction (Code of Discipline, pp. 9-10).

Students who are not approved for definitive acceptance are automatically dropped from the MA-TS program. However, they may shift to the non-thesis MA program.

Comprehensive Examination

After completing his/her course work, the student must pass a written comprehensive examination. The student must be registered with the Ateneo de Manila University to take the comprehensive examination. Note: one cannot register for comprehensive examination while still on course work or still have an incomplete grade (INC) in his/her course work. The comprehensive examinations are scheduled once each semester and in the summer. Students who cannot take the comprehensive examination during the regular schedule must wait until the next examination period. Those who cannot complete the two parts of the examination at the schedule must repeat the entire comprehensive at the next examination period.

The two-part written examination is given on two successive Saturdays: Part I covers the foundation courses (Revelation-Faith; Christology; Ecclesiology; Fundamental Moral Theology; and Christian Worship); and Part II covers the courses the student has taken in his/her area of concentration. The two parts of the exams are graded separately. The passing grade for the comprehensive examination is 2.5 (B). In case of failure, only one retake is allowed. Students who fail the retake are dropped from the program unless, for special reason, the Standards and Degrees Committee recommends a second retake. In retake comprehensive examination, students need to repeat only the parts failed.

Research Thesis

The MA-TS program requires a research thesis or its equivalent. The student must enroll for Thesis Direction every semester, for as long as he/she is engaged in thesis writing, until the semester the thesis will be defended.

a) MA-TS Thesis Proposal: Under the guidance of a mentor appointed by the Dean, the student writes a thesis proposal. The proposal, which can serve as the first chapter of the thesis, should present and discuss the following: [1] The Problem of the Thesis; [2] Scope and Limitations; [3] The Significance of the Problem; [4] Methodology; [5] Definition of Key Terms; and [6] Basic Bibliography. The proposal (excluding bibliography) should normally not exceed 10 pages and should follow the LST Style Manual (based on Turabian, 6th edition). Once approved by the mentor, five (5) copies of the thesis proposal are submitted to the Dean who appoints a panel of professors to examine it. On a date specified by the school the student defends his proposal before the panel.

The oral defense consists in [a] a clear presentation (for about 15 minutes) of the written proposal by the writer, covering the basic problem or theme of the thesis, its scope and limitation, its importance, and the basic sources (bibliography) and methods to be used; [b] each professor reviews the proposal with the writer through questions, suggestions, etc., usually for a period of 10 to 15 minutes, depending upon the particular needs of the proposal. The professors may offer brief written recommendations, analyses, suggestions, etc. to the writer, copies of which are also given to the mentor and the Dean’s Office.

b) MA-TS Thesis Writing: After the proposal has been approved by the panel, the student may now proceed to writing the thesis chapter by chapter. All throughout the writing of the thesis the student must seek the guidance of his/her mentor. Each chapter must be approved by the mentor one at a time.

An MA-TS thesis should be between 80 to 150 pages in length (excluding Bibliography). The thesis must conform to all the requirements of the Graduate School of the Ateneo de Manila University regarding form, style, and method of registration.

c) MA-TS Thesis Public Defense: When the whole thesis is finished and meets the approval of the mentor, it is submitted to the school. The Dean appoints a second reader, who, ideally, should come from the panel that examined the dissertation proposal. It is the task of the second reader to ascertain that the thesis is ready for public defense. He/she has the right to order any changes in the thesis he considers necessary for it to be truly ready for defense. In case of an unsolvable conflict between the second reader and mentor, an independent panel appointed by the Dean will decide the issue.

After the second reader declares the thesis ready for defense, unbound copies of the thesis are submitted to two other readers who, together with the second reader, shall make up the panel of professors for the defense. A date for the defense is then scheduled. The readers assigned for the defense may ask for revisions of the thesis. The student should discuss these revisions with his mentor. In case of disagreement, readers and mentor should reach a suitable accommodation. Impasses may be resolved by the Standards and degrees Committee. After the successfully defending the thesis, the student must submit to the school two bound copies of the corrected and approved final edition of the dissertation.

Alternatives to the Research Thesis

Besides the usual research thesis, the program offers three possible alternatives. With the approval of the Dean anyone of these may be substituted for the thesis.

a) Four Major Papers: The first alternative consists of four major papers and two additional 3-unit courses (to replace the 6 units assigned for thesis research). Each of the four papers must conform to the LST Style Manual based on Turabian, 6th edition. This alternative is approved principally for those who desire a broader, less narrowly specialized, technical formation, and who wish to deepen the work of four of their major courses while adding two additional courses. Recommended length of each paper is 15-30 pages. The four major papers ‘thesis’ does not need a thesis proposal defense.

The professor in whose course a major paper was written can suggest further changes and elaboration of the paper until the paper can be approved by him for inclusion in a four major paper "thesis". Under the guidance of an overall mentor chosen from among the professors who mentored the four major papers, the student writes a preface to introduce the four papers and a conclusion to recapitulate the main points of the papers. The overall mentor may still require whatever revisions he/she thinks are necessary before the four major papers can be submitted for public defense. The Dean appoints a second reader who should not have mentored two of the four major papers. It is the task of the second reader to ascertain that the four major papers are ready for public defense. He/she has the right to order any changes he considers necessary for them to be truly ready for defense. The rules and procedures governing MA thesis defense also apply to the four major papers.

b) Religious Education/Ministry Project: The second alternative is a religious education/ ministry project which, following the basic format of a thesis, concentrates on the effective communication of a particular doctrinal, moral, or pastoral response to a definite contextualized problem. This “project” substitutes for a thesis and is approved for those wishing to develop an applied, inculturated theology which responds more directly to the Philippine and Asian scene. The rules and procedures governing MA thesis proposal, writing, and public defense also apply to the religious education/ministry project.

Schedule of Courses

The following courses will be offered in the School Years 2011-2012 and 2013-2014:

First Semester

Migration Courses

MTP01/Theo 236      Introducing Theologies of Migration
MTP02/Theo 222.1   The Bible and People of God on the Move (Reading Course)
MTP03/Theo 276      Migration in the Catholic Social Teaching
MTP04/Theo 288.5   Management of Pastoral Programs in Migration
MTP05/Theo 281.1   Spirituality in an Age of Mobility

Corollary Courses

Theo 274 History of the Church in Asia
Theo 289 Pastoral Psychology and Counseling

Second Semester

Migration Courses

MTP06/Theo 276.1   Justice and Migration
MTP09/Theo 298      Body, Sexuality and Gender in Migration (Reading Course)

Corollary Courses

Theo 290 Pastoral Counseling Practicum

The following courses will be offered in the School Years 2012-2013 and 2014-2015:

First Semester

Migration Courses

MTP01/Theo 236      Introducing Theologies of Migration
MTP02/Theo 222.1   The Bible and People of God on the Move (Reading Course)
MTP03/Theo 276      Migration in the Catholic Social Teaching
MTP04/Theo 288.5   Management of Pastoral Programs in Migration
MTP08/Theo 292.1   Pastoral Care of Migrants

Corollary Courses

Theo 274 History of the Church in Asia
Theo 289 Pastoral Psychology and Counseling

Second Semester

Migration Courses

MTP07/Theo 245.3   Ecclesiology and Ministries in Migration Context
MTP10/Theo 263.1   The Human Rights of Migrants

Corollary Courses

Theo 290 Pastoral Counseling Practicum

Migration Theology Program

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