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Grow Your Faith Through Critical Thinking and Reflection

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology

In light of College of Saint Mary’s Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, the Theology program focuses on the rich diversity within the Catholic and Christian traditions. Theology courses at College of Saint Mary offer opportunities for students to explore how these religious traditions approach the “big questions” of human life, meaning and purpose. Students reflect on their own deeply held values while analyzing how religious traditions in general, and Catholicism and Christianity in particular, influence and are influenced by the wider world. All theology courses at CSM focus on development of students’ knowledge and skills in critical thinking, feminist analysis and anti-racist analysis.

The Theology program cultivates an environment that honors and engages diverse religious traditions in conversation with the Catholic and Christian traditions. CSM students from any or no religious background both enjoy theology courses and pursue majors or minors in theology. Every course in the Theology program is characterized by a deep respect for the dignity and worth of all religious and spiritual pathways.

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)
  •  

Academic Description

Grow Your Faith Through Critical Thinking and Reflection

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology

In light of College of Saint Mary’s Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, the Theology program focuses on the rich diversity within the Catholic and Christian traditions. Theology courses at College of Saint Mary offer opportunities for students to explore how these religious traditions approach the “big questions” of human life, meaning and purpose. Students reflect on their own deeply held values while analyzing how religious traditions in general, and Catholicism and Christianity in particular, influence and are influenced by the wider world. All theology courses at CSM focus on development of students’ knowledge and skills in critical thinking, feminist analysis and anti-racist analysis.

The Theology program cultivates an environment that honors and engages diverse religious traditions in conversation with the Catholic and Christian traditions. CSM students from any or no religious background both enjoy theology courses and pursue majors or minors in theology. Every course in the Theology program is characterized by a deep respect for the dignity and worth of all religious and spiritual pathways.

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)
  •  

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.