toby42

The Notre Dame ECS is an excellent program that sounds perfect for you, and it's fully funded (last I checked), but it's also pretty competitive. But's it can't hurt to apply (https://classics.nd.edu/graduate-students/ma-in-early-christian-studies/). Plus, you are interested in PhD, there's a perfect program for your interests as well: https://theology.nd.edu/graduate-programs/ph-d/areas-of-concentration/christianity-and-judaism-in-antiquity/

Thank you both for the input. Good stuff, all of it. To answer, and clarify - First, another member said, "ANE is a notoriously difficult field to break into, especially if you don't have a certain academic pedigree. Many of my friends at "top" schools (Harvard, JHU, Yale, and UChicago) have completed 2 masters degrees before their PhD applications." But that aside, my primary goal in looking for this is not to be competitive (though I may have made it seem that way; my mistake). First, and primarily, if nothing pans out with PhD programs, I thought this would qualify and equip me to teach at the community/jr. college level as my degrees are thus far liberal arts degrees in Biblical studies and Theology and there's not a lot of demand for Bible/Theology courses at that level. Secondly, I thought about adding a History MA degree as I have the time to do something on the side since I may have to wait a bit before going on to my PhD after I'm done. And then, from that, I figured it would also bolster my PhD app. Which leads to: It's not that I'm not willing to move, but that I'm unable to right now and will probably be unable to do so until summer '17. At that point, it's another story. But also, though, I don't want to move just for a second MA in History when one of the places I'm hoping to get my PhD is right here where I am. Thank you both for the tips and advice... I appreciate it. I'll take it all into account.

I'm sort of reposting this from an earlier thread, because I made the title and content more specific than I intended it. So I'm giving it a second shot, but amended. Does anyone know of a school that has a distance learning program in ancient history (preferably with ANE courses)? I'm finishing up my MA at ND right now and was planning on going on to PhD studies... but I thought about adding to my repertoire by adding a History MA degree in a related field to help my chances for getting into a decent PhD program. I was hoping to possibly not relocate (for PhD) for another two years or so and thought I might do this in the meantime. Thanks!

Thank you both for the input. Yes, I do mean one that does not require residency. So yeah, I know this is a long shot, but that's why I came here; ya'll are pretty well-informed in this realm. To answer your other question, There are two primary reasons for my desire to seek an MA in Ancient History. The first was that I thought this might better allow and equip me to teach at the local HS or community college level (if nothing else pans out) as my degrees are thus far liberal arts degrees in Bible and Theology. Ancient history (particularly ANE and its relation to developing cultures) is a fascinating field that dwells largely within the secular realm, thus giving me something other than 'churchy stuff' to present to a local college or HS. The second reason is that I also hoped something like this might help my chances for getting into a decent PhD program (while, yes, informing my studies at the same time). I was hoping to possibly not relocate (for PhD) for another two years or so and thought I might do this in the meantime. But that's even if I get accepted to a PhD program of my choice, which I may not, so this is a bit of a back-up plan as well. Your advice about being kept in the loop by faculty is a good one, thank you. I also always attend the SBL conferences that I'm able to, and the regional ones have thus far included ASOR as well, which is helpful for this field. As for languages, I'm only beginning to expand past Hebrew, and am working (slowly) on Ugaritic and Aramaic. So I'm sort of behind in that area as well, having focused only on Hebrew and Greek thus far. As TMT suggested, though, I may see if I can take an Arabic course before I finish up at ND. 'twould be nice. Thanks again for the advice!

I'm finishing up my MA at ND right now and was planning on going on to PhD studies... but the top-level programs will be residency programs and I may not be able to relocate across country when the time comes. So I thought about adding to my repertoire by adding a History MA degree in a related field (ANE) and would like to see if anyone knows of a school that has a distance learning program in ancient history, preferably ANE-specific. Long shot, I know, but hey... who knows. Thanks.

Yeah, I got the same. They're just being cordial in their rejection of us. A rejection by any other words would stink just as bad... :/

...to have at least made the waitlist. :/

yeah... I actually look forward to telling a couple people I didn't get accepted just so they understand that not everyone who wants to gets to.

Prepare for rant. Initiating in 3... 2... 1... I find it frustrating and disheartening when people say, "Oh, you'll get in." EsPECially when they, so full of wisdom with their great history of experience in applying to grad schools, declare it as if there's NO way you won't. It chaps my hide even more when you explain to them the rigorous process and how hundreds are vying for the same dozen spots and they STILL flippantly dismiss it as a shoe-in. As if anyone can go just because they're 'smart' or a 'nice guy.' I think what miffs me about this is the fact that they're not recognizing how tough it is and that it is a real privilege and honor to be invited to a top-tier program. Then, if you're accepted, they feel justified in their assessment of the situation - "see, I told you" - and it diminishes your accomplishments and the work you put in to get accepted. I don't even know if this makes a bit of sense, but it's a rant, so it's supposed to be incoherent. So there. /rant.

After going through this w/ ND last year (sigh), it was my understanding that the offers of acceptance went out at the same time (possibly waitlist notifications, too), so if we haven't heard, we appear to be SOL. My official rejection notice came at the end of the month. Sooo... I would say (but I'm a pessimist, too) abandon hope all ye who linger here.

Notifications of acceptance are generally sent out first week or two of March. Denials are generally toward the end of the month.

Thank you, that info is just what I was looking for (and expected). Well, fingers crossed for MTS, then! Thanks!

I'm applying to the ND MTS program for '14 but am going to apply for the MA in Theology program as well as a backup. One particular appeal of the MA is that I could stay here in CO (near friends, family, church, etc) and travel out there for part of the summer. So if I get accepted to both, I'll have to make a choice, and there are great benefits to both programs for me. But one of my main reasons for selecting the MTS program (and pursuing grad studies at all) is that it's intended to move one right on toward their doctorate, which is my intention. So the question is... is anyone familiar enough with ND's MA in Theology program to say how it might be received by addcomms for my Ph.D? At this point, the two main places I'm looking at applying is ND and Wheaton. Thanks for the input.

A religion prof, a priest, and a rabbi walk into a bar. The bartendender says, "What is this, a joke?"

You know how something's funny at the time and then you sleep on it, wake up, and realized how dumb it really is? ...yeeeeah.... Ya'll gave some real good advice on the topic that (esp. after I slept on it) really confirmed my suspicions. Canis, you point out the real reason behind finding humor in it - well put. And marXian - most excellent advice to always err on the side of professionalism. Thanks, all.