The Undergraduate Program in Theology and Religious Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies
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 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. Required courses for the major include: The Church and the Human Person (TRS 202A or TRS 202B); Scripture: Inspiration and Interpretation (TRS 405MJ) The Study of Christian Scripture (TRS 410); Christian Traditions Through History (TRS 420) Christian Ethics: Personal and Social (TRS 430); Liturgy and the Christian Life (TRS 440); Ways of Studying Religion (TRS 480) and Systematic Theology (TRS 460). Majors are further required to complete four open TRS electives with one that could be petitioned from selected courses offered in other schools that would be relevant to a TRS major, and a senior seminar (TRS 497).
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, in addition to their twelve required courses and four open electives (for no more than a total of 16 TRS course total), the following requirements: One course in Theology; TRS 201, three courses in Philosophy; English 101, one literature course, one course in history, one course in Fine Arts, two language courses through Intermediate II, and five courses in math/natural science/social science (including business and economics) with at least one course from each of these three categories)
Comprehensive Exams: Students who conclude the major course sequence must successfully finish bachelor's comprehensive exams. These must be completed by April 1 for spring graduation and November 1 for January graduation (TRS 498).
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.
Theology and Religious Studies majors, with the approval of their Class Dean and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, can minor in any of the University’s programs that offer a minor.
Joint Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program
The School of Theology and Religious Studies offers a joint Bachelor's and Master’s degree program where the B.A. is completed by the end of year four and the M.A. is completed by the end of year five. The program is especially helpful for students who anticipate working in a field (such as ministry or teaching) where a Master’s degree is beneficial or required, or who intend to pursue further graduate work in theology and religious studies. Information on M.A. admissions and requirements is available under the Graduate Announcements for the School of Theology and Religious Studies. B.A /M.A. students must meet all such admissions and program requirements, though at the time of application during junior year they need not submit letters of recommendation or GRE scores (these latter are required by the end of fall term senior year).There is no application fee for the M.A. since the student is currently enrolled at the university. Two letters of recommendation and a G.R.E. are part of the application process. Reading proficiency in a modern language and Latin and/or Greek are associated with the master’s degree and integrated into the student’s undergraduate curriculum. Since four 600-level Master’s courses are taken during the third and fourth year of the undergraduate toward the B.A. and M.A., students should diligently plan out the requirements for these two degrees.
Students should consult the School for more information on eligibility, advising, and enrollment in the program.
Minor Programs
Requirements for the minor can be found at Theology and Religious Studies - Minor
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry
Requirements for the certificate can be found at Pastoral Ministry - Certificate
The School of Theology and Religious Studies offers a two-year Certificate Program of coursework and supervised ministry that prepares Catholic University students for future ministry as catechists, religion teachers, youth ministers, or campus ministers, in social concerns and other ecclesial ministries. The certificate from The Catholic University of America meets the requirements for lay ministry certification in most dioceses of the United States.
Certificate in Eastern Christian Studies
Requirements for the certificate can be found at Eastern Christian Studies - Certificate
The School of Theology and Religious Studies offers a certificate in Eastern Christianity for the study of the history, traditions, worship and present state of Eastern Christianity (Eastern Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and the Church of the East.) This certificate will give students in the program access to the vast library holdings relevant to the subjects (Dumbarton Oaks, Library of Congress, numerous local Eastern Christian communities, the USCCB) in order to enter into dialogue with Eastern, Oriental, and Roman Catholic Churches. Four courses are necessary for the Certificate in Eastern Christianity: two core courses and two elective course.
Professional Curriculum
Courses in theology and religious studies are regularly offered that comment upon the professional fields, such as nursing, the arts, business, economics, ecology, and public life. Undergraduates in the Schools of Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Music, Drama, and Art, and Nursing, and the Department of Education should consult their advisers to discuss appropriate sequences for their Liberal Arts requirements. Undergraduates who are considering vocations to the priesthood, religious life, or lay ministry in the Catholic Church may find courses relevant to their anticipated goals. The Office of Campus Ministry offers social service opportunities that complement the academic program. Some courses in the department also include reflective internships as a part of the course requirements.