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Academic catalog · 2026–2027

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Liturgical Studies

The Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies investigates Christian worship through its theological foundations, historical development, ritual texts and spiritual life. The curriculum brings close reading of primary sources into sustained conversation with liturgical scholarship, sacramental theology and pastoral formation.

Program overview

Students study the Roman liturgical tradition, the Eucharist, the liturgical year, the Liturgy of the Hours, euchology and liturgical Latin. Liturgical law, ars celebrandi and mystagogy lead into supervised graduate research. The program comprises twelve required components, totaling 36 credits and 1,620 hours of student academic work.

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from an institution acceptable to PCU-USA.
  • Official academic transcripts.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Statement of purpose identifying preparation and interests in Liturgical Studies.
  • Substantial academic writing sample.
  • Proficiency in the language of instruction.
  • Reading competence in Latin is strongly recommended and may be required for the chosen research topic.
  • Identity and residence documentation and applicable University admissions requirements.

Curriculum

  1. LIT 501 — Theological Foundations of the Sacred Liturgy — 3 credits / 135 hours
  2. LIT 502 — History of the Liturgy: From the Origins to Trent — 3 credits / 135 hours
  3. LIT 503 — Liturgical Reform: From Trent to the Present — 3 credits / 135 hours
  4. LIT 504 — Sacramental Theology and the Rites of the Sacraments — 3 credits / 135 hours
  5. LIT 505 — The Eucharist: Theology, History and Celebration — 3 credits / 135 hours
  6. LIT 506 — The Liturgical Year — 3 credits / 135 hours
  7. LIT 507 — The Liturgy of the Hours — 3 credits / 135 hours
  8. LIT 508 — Euchology, Liturgical Latin and Primary Sources — 3 credits / 135 hours
  9. LIT 509 — Liturgical Law, Liturgical Books and Ars Celebrandi — 3 credits / 135 hours
  10. LIT 510 — Liturgical Spirituality, Mystagogy and Pastoral Formation — 3 credits / 135 hours
  11. LIT 511 — Graduate Research Seminar — 2 credits / 90 hours
  12. LIT 512 — Master’s Thesis — 4 credits / 180 hours

Learning outcomes

  • Analyze the theological foundations of Christian worship in Scripture, patristic sources, scholastic theology and the Magisterium.
  • Interpret the historical development of the Roman Rite and its reforms in context.
  • Evaluate primary liturgical sources with historical, theological and philological methods, including Latin where required.
  • Explain relationships between liturgical celebration, mystagogy and spiritual life.
  • Interpret liturgical law, books and rubrics when evaluating celebratory and formative proposals.
  • Produce an original, documented research study meeting graduate standards of argument, method and integrity.

Assessment

  • Assessment is specific to each discipline: source analyses, historical and theological essays, ritual-book studies, Latin translation, euchological commentary, canonical case dossiers and mystagogical formation projects. The research seminar develops an annotated bibliography, a method and source paper, a research proposal and its presentation. Supervised final research is assessed through documented milestones and the final thesis or scholarly project under University academic policies. The final component requires a 12,000–15,000-word thesis and oral defense, assessed through progress (20%), thesis (65%) and defense (15%).

Completion requirements

  • Earn all 36 credits across the twelve required components.
  • Complete LIT 501–510 before the research seminar LIT 511.
  • Obtain approval of the LIT 511 research proposal before entering LIT 512.
  • Complete the supervised master’s thesis, oral defense and required revisions.
  • Meet University academic standing, integrity and graduation requirements.