Grow Your Faith Through Critical Thinking and Reflection
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology
The theology courses at College of Saint Mary explore faith and meaning within all our life experiences. The theology program is not exclusively confined to academic activity but also provides you with concrete opportunities to grow in understanding and appreciation of faith through critical theological reflection.
The program approaches the study of theology as an academic discipline with its own methodology, and it challenges you to apply critical analysis and reflection to the events, people and issues that have shaped our world in the past and in the present. In addition, theology courses intentionally seek to foster competencies in the areas of women’s issues and multiculturalism, both extremely rare focuses in theology majors. The learning also integrates religious experience, openness to truth and the search for God in your personal life as well as your career.
Your theology education can prepare you for a career in religious education, campus or youth ministry, Pastoral/church work, Catholic journalism and more. You will also gain a strong academic background for graduate school.
Required Courses for Your Major
36 credit hours, including a minimum of one course in each five areas of theology: Scripture, Systematics, Spirituality, and Moral
Sample courses might include:
Scripture: Old Testament
This course will introduce you to the Hebrew Bible as well as the extra books found in the Catholic Old Testament. There will be emphasis on the content of the scriptures as well as on the study of the ancient world in which they were produced.
Scripture: New Testament
You’ll learn about the content of the New Testament as well as the 1st century Middle East world which produced it. There will be historical analysis and an exploration of the text as a document of the Christian faith.
Church and Social Justice
Church and Social Justice explores the social teachings of the Church and its application to the concrete economic, social, and political problems of the contemporary world. The course focuses on social issues such as poverty, hunger, racism, immigration, war, the environment, and workers’ and human rights.
Spirituality
This course is an academic study of the nature of Christian spirituality as both religious and lived experience. You will be exposed to the biblical and theological foundations of Christian spirituality, its overall origins and development, and the varieties of Christian spiritualties that have appeared throughout history in both groups and in specific individuals who have been viewed as exemplary of Christian spiritual life.
Women in the Christian Tradition
The course examines some of the major doctrines of Christian theology in light of female experiences and theological reflection. These major doctrines include Christology, creation, sin, redemption, theological anthropology, and the church.
Theology Research and Seminar
Through focused and extensive study on an approved topic of interest, you will demonstrate your cumulative ability to research, reflect critically, and think theologically.
Theology Electives
You will also take 21 credit hours of theology electives.
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in theology, you must complete 128 credit hours. Of these, 36 comprise required theology courses, 18 credit hours in a minor of your choice, 33 credit hours in electives, and 41 credit hours in general education requirements.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
- High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
- A minimum GPA of 2.0
- ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
- Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
- $30 application fee
Academic Description
Grow Your Faith Through Critical Thinking and Reflection
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology
The theology courses at College of Saint Mary explore faith and meaning within all our life experiences. The theology program is not exclusively confined to academic activity but also provides you with concrete opportunities to grow in understanding and appreciation of faith through critical theological reflection.
The program approaches the study of theology as an academic discipline with its own methodology, and it challenges you to apply critical analysis and reflection to the events, people and issues that have shaped our world in the past and in the present. In addition, theology courses intentionally seek to foster competencies in the areas of women’s issues and multiculturalism, both extremely rare focuses in theology majors. The learning also integrates religious experience, openness to truth and the search for God in your personal life as well as your career.
Your theology education can prepare you for a career in religious education, campus or youth ministry, Pastoral/church work, Catholic journalism and more. You will also gain a strong academic background for graduate school.
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
- High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
- A minimum GPA of 2.0
- ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
- Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
- $30 application fee
Curriculum
Required Courses for Your Major
36 credit hours, including a minimum of one course in each five areas of theology: Scripture, Systematics, Spirituality, and Moral
Sample courses might include:
Scripture: Old Testament
This course will introduce you to the Hebrew Bible as well as the extra books found in the Catholic Old Testament. There will be emphasis on the content of the scriptures as well as on the study of the ancient world in which they were produced.
Scripture: New Testament
You’ll learn about the content of the New Testament as well as the 1st century Middle East world which produced it. There will be historical analysis and an exploration of the text as a document of the Christian faith.
Church and Social Justice
Church and Social Justice explores the social teachings of the Church and its application to the concrete economic, social, and political problems of the contemporary world. The course focuses on social issues such as poverty, hunger, racism, immigration, war, the environment, and workers’ and human rights.
Spirituality
This course is an academic study of the nature of Christian spirituality as both religious and lived experience. You will be exposed to the biblical and theological foundations of Christian spirituality, its overall origins and development, and the varieties of Christian spiritualties that have appeared throughout history in both groups and in specific individuals who have been viewed as exemplary of Christian spiritual life.
Women in the Christian Tradition
The course examines some of the major doctrines of Christian theology in light of female experiences and theological reflection. These major doctrines include Christology, creation, sin, redemption, theological anthropology, and the church.
Theology Research and Seminar
Through focused and extensive study on an approved topic of interest, you will demonstrate your cumulative ability to research, reflect critically, and think theologically.
Theology Electives
You will also take 21 credit hours of theology electives.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in theology, you must complete 128 credit hours. Of these, 36 comprise required theology courses, 18 credit hours in a minor of your choice, 33 credit hours in electives, and 41 credit hours in general education requirements.
