The Scottish Rite Master Craftsman program is a by-mail, correspondence course designed and administered by staff at the House of the Temple in Washington, DC, under the guidance and leadership of the Supreme Council, 33°, of the A&A Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, USA.

Currently, there are three programs in the Master Craftsman Program. All may be completed through self-study as an individual or group study.

Some Scottish Rite Valleys have encouraged and or developed Master Craftsman Study Groups to facilitate “group study” sessions and methods. Group study is another way to learn and experience all that these programs have to offer.

Program I: The Symbolic Lodge will familiarize students with aspects of the development of Blue Lodge Masonry and explore some of its developing symbolism. Albert Pike’s book, Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry, along with Arturo de Hoyos’s Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide (3d ed.) will be used to demonstrate a rational and philosophical interpretation for much of what is found in Craft Masonry.

Program II: Scottish Rite Ritual and History consists of six lessons, utilizing the Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide by Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Cross, and A Bridge to Light (4th ed.) by Rex Hutchens, 33°, Grand Cross, as its textbooks.

Program III: Scottish Rite Philosophy uses Albert Pike’s Morals & Dogma, Annotated Edition, by Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Cross and returns to the ritual of the Scottish Rite to re-explore it on a deeper level, by looking for the moral lesson imparted in each degree and then applying that lesson to one’s everyday life. The course consists of 33 quizzes, grouped into 10 sections.

In 2003, the Scottish Rite Valley of Guthrie, Oklahoma, established the College of the Consistory to enhance the Scottish Rite’s position as the “University of Freemasonry.” Like the Supreme Council’s Master Craftsman program, it has grown into a popular national program of Scottish Rite Masonry.

The emphasis of the College of the Consistory is individual self-study. The course is an at-home curriculum, which offers the opportunity to study the major ideas and themes outlined in the degrees of the Rite at your leisure. You progress in the College at your own pace. The College of the Consistory was established to provide a venue whereby Scottish Rite Masons can better use the teachings of the Scottish Rite as a lifelong learning and living tool.

The College is designed to transform the student of Masonry into a teacher of the values of the Scottish Rite in his own Valley. Your self-work toward this goal aids immeasurably in giving you the confidence you need to succeed as a resource in your Valley.

Currently, there are over 900 members in 48 states and 10 foreign countries enrolled in the College. There is no charge to join. The College of the Consistory program is available to any 32° Mason who belongs to a valley considered regular and in congruence with the Mother Supreme Council of the World. To enroll, go to http://www.guthriescottishrite.org and check the “consistory” icon.

The Scottish Rite Research Society is an organization you may join that will offer unlimited opportunities for personal and collective learning and research projects, and if a writer, possibly being able to contribute in one of the publications provided by the Society.

The Scottish Rite Research Society’s goal is to present the finest journal of Masonic research available, with emphasis on the matters related to the Scottish Rite.

As a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, you will receive the SRRS quarterly research journal, The Plumbline.

The Plumbline focuses on research in Masonic history, philosophy, esoterica, customs, traditions, current interest commentary, and related subjects. The SRRS mission is to provide its members and readership with scholarly, detailed writings about Freemasonry and the fraternal experience, as well as news and information about current events in the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry.

An additional educational resource provided by the SRRS to its members is the Heredom publication. Heredom is the flagship publication of the Society and has been delivered annually to members since 1992. This is the preeminent publication of scholarly Masonic research, recognized and highly anticipated by Masonic scholars worldwide. It is a collection of the finest and most thought-provoking research and writings on contemporary and historical Freemasonry, emphasizing the Scottish Rite.

Through your self-study and research you may have opportunity to discuss and or debate, and individually or collectively, conduct research projects with some of the most knowledgeable and conversant Masonic Authors, Leaders and Statesman.