This May Seem Weird

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Well my current plan is to get an MA in theology. I just would kind of want to get my Bachelor's in it also. There is also the fact that my parents are frustrated with the fact that I want to do something involving theology while taking non applicable classes. I also, om currently on a path that I'm not passionate about and it os frustrating. I know if isn't practical and that I won't have much money -- I'd try to find a way to supplement it-- but I want to work for the church in a position involving theology. I feel that the debt is worth it. No other career paths seem fulfilling. I guess waiting may be best; I just don't know if that is what I want to do.

[NotreDame]

Well my current plan is to get an MA in theology. I just would kind of want to get my Bachelor's in it also.

 

To be honest, if you are motivated you don't really need an undergrad to get the most out of a graduate program.  It's relative and depends on major, but I've taken a lot of graduate classes that were just better versions of their undergrad equivalent that started at the same place and went deeper into the subject, faster.  If you wanted a PHD, then getting the undergrad would make a lot of sense so you could potentially get through the masters level coursework more quickly and with your future research in mind, but this is something to keep in mind if you *just* want an MA. 
 

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I guess I can't edit. so my supposed to be edit: I'm not actually set on whether or not I'll wait for my MA. Currently I'm just throwing around ideas and gathering information. It is something I want to do, but at times waiting sounds good. It really depends on the information I gather and from there what seems like the best option.

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

To be honest, if you are motivated you don't really need an undergrad to get the most out of a graduate program. It's relative and depends on major, but I've taken a lot of graduate classes that were just better versions of their undergrad equivalent that started at the same place and went deeper into the subject, faster. If you wanted a PHD, then getting the undergrad would make a lot of sense so you could potentially get through the masters level coursework more quickly and with your future research in mind, but this is something to keep in mind if you *just* want an MA.

That's a good point. Thanks! I'm not sure if I just want the MA. It's more what will best prepare me to teach it and the MA seems like the best goal for that. Depending on where the future took me, I may consider a PHD.

[NotreDame]

That's a good point. Thanks! I'm not sure if I just want the MA. It's more what will best prepare me to teach it and the MA seems like the best goal for that. Depending on where the future took me, I may consider a PHD.

Well "teaching theology" would be "teaching" first and foremost if you are thinking about the catholic school tract, so make really sure you are comfortable with that (keeping in mind mortify's point on practicality).  As much as you love theology, you might not love teaching.  Also, assuming you were 100% with teaching, getting an undergrad in theology and a masters in education might be something to think about.  Some masters in education are 1-years and there are options to defray the cost (loan forgiveness?) by teaching X number of years in certain districts.  Lilllabet could comment more on that than I could.

 

[mortify ii]

Fulfillment is a state of mind, fact is most Americans work jobs they don't like because they have to. Many people take liberal arts majors only to find themselves having to work a menial job unrelated to their major. I too would love to teach and get paid from the Church, but how many jobs like that exist? I know jobless theologians. Again, be practical.

[Basilisa Marie]

Well my current plan is to get an MA in theology. I just would kind of want to get my Bachelor's in it also. There is also the fact that my parents are frustrated with the fact that I want to do something involving theology while taking non applicable classes. I also, om currently on a path that I'm not passionate about and it os frustrating. I know if isn't practical and that I won't have much money -- I'd try to find a way to supplement it-- but I want to work for the church in a position involving theology. I feel that the debt is worth it. No other career paths seem fulfilling. I guess waiting may be best; I just don't know if that is what I want to do.

 

I get that it's frustrating, but I really want to emphasize how important it is to have something other than theology that you can do. I have a BA in theology and am almost finished with my MA, and I've been turned down for every job I've applied for that was church-related because I don't have enough experience. Sure, it's a possibility that I'm just a terrible human being (haha), but most of the time I made it down to the final three candidates, and if a potential employer gave me a reason why I didn't get the job it was that they gave it to someone with less education and more experience.  I can't underscore enough how much more currency an internship or a bunch of volunteering experiences have in getting a job in theology.  Your degree simply won't get you the job.  

So if you decide you want to go the church ministry route, you need to start getting some experience now. If you want to go the Catholic school teaching route, you need to get some education background, either through classes or by getting a teaching grad assistantship while you go for your MA in theology. 

Most people don't get to have a career in their passion, at least not right away. And that's okay! I think we just want to make sure you've got a plan, whatever you decide to do.

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I get that it's frustrating, but I really want to emphasize how important it is to have something other than theology that you can do. I have a BA in theology and am almost finished with my MA, and I've been turned down for every job I've applied for that was church-related because I don't have enough experience. Sure, it's a possibility that I'm just a terrible human being (haha), but most of the time I made it down to the final three candidates, and if a potential employer gave me a reason why I didn't get the job it was that they gave it to someone with less education and more experience. I can't underscore enough how much more currency an internship or a bunch of volunteering experiences have in getting a job in theology. Your degree simply won't get you the job.

So if you decide you want to go the church ministry route, you need to start getting some experience now. If you want to go the Catholic school teaching route, you need to get some education background, either through classes or by getting a teaching grad assistantship while you go for your MA in theology.

Most people don't get to have a career in their passion, at least not right away. And that's okay! I think we just want to make sure you've got a plan, whatever you decide to do.

That makes sense. Thanks. I know I've said that a lot, but I really do mean it. What about a double major in theology and psychology? In addition to volunteer experienc? That I'll need to figure out how to obtain at this time and I should fond out how to gain some teaching background. To obtain an teaching grad assistantship would I need to have a BA in it prior to an MA?

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Well "teaching theology" would be "teaching" first and foremost if you are thinking about the catholic school tract, so make really sure you are comfortable with that (keeping in mind mortify's point on practicality). As much as you love theology, you might not love teaching. Also, assuming you were 100% with teaching, getting an undergrad in theology and a masters in education might be something to think about. Some masters in education are 1-years and there are options to defray the cost (loan forgiveness?) by teaching X number of years in certain districts. Lilllabet could comment more on that than I could.

Thanks. I do think I'm okay with the teaching part first. I only say that I think because I have no experience teachin. Well I did teach Sunday school prior to my conversion, but that doesn't count. So I don't have any way of knowing for sure. I believe I'd enjoy it.

[Basilisa Marie]

That makes sense. Thanks. I know I've said that a lot, but I really do mean it. What about a double major in theology and psychology? In addition to volunteer experienc? That I'll need to figure out how to obtain at this time and I should fond out how to gain some teaching background. To obtain an teaching grad assistantship would I need to have a BA in it prior to an MA?

 

Well, I don't know if it might help, but I do know that my friends who majored in psychology told me they'd need a graduate degree to do anything in their field. Though many I know went on to work in business and stuff. Psychology might be helpful if you're interested in becoming some kind of counselor or spiritual director or something - the biggest question you have to ask yourself is what do you want to do, and then once you figure that out you figure out how you get there. 

 

When you apply to a Master's program, the way it usually works is that you also apply for a graduate assistantship (separate, but at the same time - if that makes sense). GAs give you funding, covering most if not all of tuition. A lot of them involve doing grunt work for professors, either research or grading homework or even teaching a class or two. These are fairly easy to spin to help you look like you have teacher-like experience. Some GAs are purely TAs, teaching assistantships, but those are more for PhD students. It really just depends on what your program offers. 

[Jaime]

I don't think you're weird. I think some of the advice in here is weird. 

 

Here's my nickel's worth.  Study whatever the heck makes you happy!!  This "study what is practical" thing drives me nuts!  Why study something you have little interest in to have a job you have little interest in? I have my undergrad in theology and music.  Master's in psychology and working on a second master's in special education.  I've never gone hungry and in particular points in my life, I've had some serious money! If you are passionate about 18th century french poetry, study it!! 98% of jobs are about networking and proving to someone you can learn the skills.  I've done youth ministry, prison building, marketing and business development and now special education. I've been considered to be extremely knowledgeable and successful in most of my ventures.  Why?  Because I applied myself. 

 

No one ever said, "you can't do that! You have a theology degree!"

 

 

[mortify ii]

I can see where Jaime is coming from but I personally think his advice would have been more applicable to the late 80's and early 90's when jobs were plentiful. The situation is much worse now, and I can't tell you how many people I have known who REGRETTED pursuing what they "love" in favor of something more practical. Two years into my major I had doubts, and spoke with two guys, one who majored in journalism and the other in anthropology, and they both regretted their decision. Both of them told me they would have chosen something more pragmatic and then still followed what they desired on the side. The journalist fellow told me he knew a physician who acted as a journalist.

 

Whatever you choose, think it through.

[Jaime]

I can see where Jaime is coming from but I personally think his advice would have been more applicable to the late 80's and early 90's when jobs were plentiful. The situation is much worse now, and I can't tell you how many people I have known who REGRETTED pursuing what they "love" in favor of something more practical. Two years into my major I had doubts, and spoke with two guys, one who majored in journalism and the other in anthropology, and they both regretted their decision. Both of them told me they would have chosen something more pragmatic and then still followed what they desired on the side. The journalist fellow told me he knew a physician who acted as a journalist.

 

Whatever you choose, think it through.

 

that is a fair assessment.   If your education is primarily for getting a job, then practicality has a strong place. But as someone who has been hired and has hired, I can tell you that even today networking gets you farther than what you majored in.
 

[Jaime]

Also keep in mind

 

If you get a degree in theology and become a "scholar" on a website.  If you pull any shenanigans that shows the flaws in the filter system, the admin can take away all the knowledge you ever acquired in your studies and leave you ignorant on all church teachings.

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I don't know if a practical major would work for me anyway. At least based on the fields I think of. What come to mind are math, the hard sciences and technology; all of which I find nauseatingly boring. I guess there is also bussiness, but i have absolutely no interest in entering that field. If those were the only options to make college worth it, I think I'd just rather not go. I'd save my self the debt and avoid torturing myself to pay it off. This is not me saying I either want to study theology or nothing; there are many other fields that I wouldn't mind studying, it just so happens that none of them would be considered practical -- at least not without advanced degrees. My interests/skills have always been more directed towards the humanities, liberal arts, and social sciences (which often times do require advanced degrees). I guess law can fall into these categories, but knowing me, that would be the worst career choice. It would feed into all of my worst traits. When we factor in my job choices, I'm almost destined to make little money. So that's just something I have to come to terms with.

Well, I don't know if it might help, but I do know that my friends who majored in psychology told me they'd need a graduate degree to do anything in their field. Though many I know went on to work in business and stuff. Psychology might be helpful if you're interested in becoming some kind of counselor or spiritual director or something - the biggest question you have to ask yourself is what do you want to do, and then once you figure that out you figure out how you get there.

When you apply to a Master's program, the way it usually works is that you also apply for a graduate assistantship (separate, but at the same time - if that makes sense). GAs give you funding, covering most if not all of tuition. A lot of them involve doing grunt work for professors, either research or grading homework or even teaching a class or two. These are fairly easy to spin to help you look like you have teacher-like experience. Some GAs are purely TAs, teaching assistantships, but those are more for PhD students. It really just depends on what your program offers.

That's useful information. I didn't know mastters programs worked like that. You're right about psychology, to be successful in it you really should have a PHD. There are jobs that would take a BA, but they wouldn't pay much. My reasoning for selecting it is that if theology didn't work out I'd already have experience with a second option. In addition, I know a teacher who majored in psychology, without planning on teaching it. I really don't plan on being a spiritual counselor, but it could be a good option. My primary interest is teaching theology at a Catholic high school. Although, I'd also consider working for the Church I. other capacities.