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.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application and transcripts.
-
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 transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
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
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application and transcripts.
-
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 transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
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.
