The Catholic University of America and Word on Fire Ministries, founded by University alumnus Bishop Robert Barron, are launching a Master of Arts in Evangelization and Culture (MAEC).
This new initiative is designed to equip graduates with theological, philosophical, and pastoral formation that will help them engage more deeply with the Church’s evangelizing mission in today’s culture.
The 33-credit degree will include live online courses that are led by faculty from Catholic University and fellows from the Word on Fire Institute. MAEC students also will participate in a one-week summer residency on the University’s Washington, D.C., campus, as part of their studies.
Joseph Capizzi, dean of the University’s School of Theology and Religious Studies, said, "This collaboration will engage students more deeply in evangelization and their faith within the high intellectual standards Catholic University is known for."
Joshua Benson, associate professor of historical and systematic theology, and David Elliot, associate professor of moral theology/ethics and The Grace P. Hobelman Chair in Catholic Moral Theology will teach the initial course offerings in summer 2025.
In addition to core courses on topics such as the ressourcement movement and its relevance for evangelization, the Catholic literary tradition and its power to evangelize, Christology, philosophy, moral theology, sacred arts, and Biblical studies, students will select from electives that will allow them to delve into specific areas of interest.
Among the electives are courses on media, politics, and the Gospel; Dante; the evangelical spirit of Vatican II; patristics; and spirituality.
All students will design and implement a practical project for evangelizing in our culture as a final capstone course.
