Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies
Requirements for the major can be found at Theology and Religious Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
In the context of a Catholic University liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and religious studies provides students with both a wide exposure to the various sub-disciplines of theology and religious studies, and an opportunity to delve more deeply into areas of special interest to them.
Admission: In order to be accepted as a major in theology and religious studies, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. In addition, at the completion of their sophomore year, they must have an average 3.0 GPA in theology and religious studies courses. Students who fail to maintain an acceptable average of 3.0 in their TRS courses may be dismissed from the program.
Transfer Students: Students may be admitted to the School of Theology and Religious Studies as freshmen or as upperclassmen. Upperclassmen who wish to declare a TRS major or transfer into the school must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be accepted, including a 3.0 GPA in TRS courses.
Credits earned in undergraduate courses in TRS pursued at other institutions will be accepted for undergraduate degrees provided that the requirements of the University-wide policy for earning transfer credit (http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/transferofcredit.cfm) are met, that the courses are equal in quality and content to those offered in the School of Theology and Religious Studies, and that the student has earned acceptable grades in those courses. The maximal number of allowable transfer courses toward a major in TRS is normally four.
Course Requirements: Students majoring in theology and religious studies are required to complete at least 12 courses (36 credits) in theology and religious studies beyond the first-year course (TRS 201). Required courses for the major include: The Church and the Human Person (TRS 202A or TRS 202B), Scripture: Inspiration and Interpretation (TRS 405MJ), Christian Traditions (TRS 427MJ), Moral Theology: Character and Commandments (TRS 435MJ), Liturgy and the Christian Life (TRS 440MJ), Christian Theology (TRS 467MJ), and Ways of Studying Religion (TRS 485MJ). Majors are further required to complete four open TRS electives (with permission, one could be elected from selected courses offered in other schools that would be relevant to a TRS major), and the capstone seminar (TRS 497MJ).
Philosophy Requirement: Students majoring in Theology and Religious Studies are required to complete a fourth philosophy course in addition to the three prescribed by the general University curriculum.
General Education Requirements: TRS undergraduate students complete the standard course requirements for the University’s Liberal Arts Curriculum.
Comprehensive Exams: In order to graduate, students must register for TRS 498 and successfully pass comprehensive exams. The exams will be based on study questions provided to the student, drawn from their coursework. These must be completed by April 15 for spring graduation and November 15 for January graduation.
Double Majors: The school encourages students to pursue a double major in theology and religious studies along with another discipline. Double majors at the bachelor’s level permit preparation for graduate work or professional occupation in interdisciplinary areas. Students who double major need to choose a Primary School that will govern their Liberal Arts requirements. The student will only be responsible for Secondary school/major requirements.
Students are also encouraged to minor in any of the University programs which offer a minor, following the requirements of that school’s/department’s requirements for a minor. In general, a minor is a six-course requirement, one of which can be counted toward the fulfillment of the open elective requirement.