Theology (BA)
Program Mission
The mission of the Theology Program is to teach Catholic theology “in a manner faithful to scripture, Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium” and thereby to provide “an awareness of the Gospel principles that will enrich the meaning of human life and give it a new dignity” (Ex corde ecclesiae, 20). Faithful to the Christian message as it has come to us through the church, the Theology Program introduces students to Catholic theology as an exercise in “faith seeking understanding.” Mindful of its ethical obligations to the Church and the world, the program also seeks to foster ecumenical awareness and concern for Catholic Social Teaching and to prepare student majors for teaching, parish work, youth ministry, and graduate studies.
Program Outcomes
- Students will achieve a knowledge base of theology.
- Students will learn to apply theology.
- Students will gain skills competency in theology.
- Students will learn and apply the Church’s doctrine of dialogue with non-Catholics as practice for more effective engagement with today’s multicultural world.
Program Requirements
36 credit hours with the following distribution:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| THEO-2000 | Christian Moral Life | 3 |
| THEO-4500 | Theology Seminar | 3 |
| Select one of the following Old Testament Studies courses: | 3 | |
| Old Testament 1: Pentateuch | ||
| Old Testament II: Wisdom Literature | ||
| Old Testament III: Prophets (Prophets) | ||
| Select one of the following New Testament Studies courses: | 3 | |
| New Testament I: Synoptic Gospels | ||
| New Testament Lit Ii: Pauline Literature | ||
| Gospel of John | ||
| Select one of the following Historical Studies courses: | 3 | |
| Hist of Catholic Church I: Apost-16th C | ||
| History Catholic Church Ii: Reform-Today | ||
| Select one of the following Ecumenical Studies courses: | 3 | |
| Christianity & World Religions | ||
| Protestant Tradition | ||
| Select one of the following Christian Life Studies courses: | 3 | |
| Sacraments & Liturgy | ||
| Christian Marriage | ||
| Catholic Social Teaching | ||
| Benedictine Spirituality | ||
| Spiritual Theology | ||
| Select one of the following Doctrinal Studies courses: | 3 | |
| Faith & Reason II 1 | ||
| Theology of the Church | ||
| Christ & the Trinity | ||
| Mary, Mother of God | ||
| Nine hours of electives 2 | 9 | |
| THEO-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| Historical Foundation | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| EXSC Fitness Course | 1 | |
| EXSC-1115 | Wellness for Life | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Aesthetic Foundation | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Historical Foundation | 3 | |
| PHIL-2100 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| Theology – Old Testament | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Person and Community Foundation | 3 | |
| Theology – New Testament | 3 | |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Natural World Foundation | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Aesthetic Foundation | 3 | |
| Theology – Doctrinal | 3 | |
| THEO-2000 | Christian Moral Life | 3 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Theology – Historical | 3 | |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Natural World Foundation | 3-4 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Theology – Christian Life | 3 | |
| Theology elective | 3 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning Foundation | 3 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Theology electives | 6 | |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Theology elective | 3 | |
| THEO-4500 | Theology Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 10 | |
| THEO-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 128-129 | |