How can Christians transform their encounter with Jesus Christ into sacrificial service to God? How will those transformed by this encounter teach, minister, work and walk with others? The encounter of faith calls followers to ever-deepening knowledge and love, and this is the task of theology. Theology draws upon many other disciplines as students learn about the Church, divine revelation, and the Catholic intellectual tradition, reflecting with ‘faith and reason’ about God and the created world. Come and see!
The undergraduate degree program in theology is part of the College of Liberal Arts, which is about making connections freely—exploring human achievement, examining the past critically and discovering ways to build upon it, and understanding yourself and our diverse world in order to transform it.
Learn about the College of Liberal ArtsA degree in theology from the Mount provides a broad basis in theological studies, building a solid foundation in many theological areas. Through this
In the program, you’ll learn about the Old and New Testament, moral theology, Christian thought, and systematics, which includes God, Christ, the Church, the Sacraments and Christian spirituality. Courses are available in Catholic social teaching, bioethics, and theology and the environment.
Additionally, minors are offered in general theology, religious education, pastoral ministry and youth ministry, with a focus on youth and lay ministry, as well as global encounters courses that cover religions of the world, Jerusalem, U.S.-Latino Catholicism and mysticism.
Mount theology faculty are ethicists who have doctorates in theological studies covering all the major theological areas, including systematic, biblical, moral, historical and pastoral theology. They’re committed to helping you learn about pastoral and educational ministries so you can make significant contributions to the Church and lead an ethical, service-oriented life.
There are ample opportunities for pastoral internships to gain practical experience. You may also receive on-campus experience through the Mount’s Campus Ministry, Office of Social Justice, or
Every graduate from the Mount’s theology program has been successful in finding placement in parish youth ministry, secondary school religion teaching or campus ministry, graduate school, or even volunteering in service with such organizations as FOCUS, Alliance for Catholic Education (Notre Dame), the Peace Corps and others.
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The Mount has prepared me not only to work in Catholic schools, but also to be a strong, dedicated woman who knows her morals and gifts and wants to use them to better society. I have been able to grow personally and professionally because of the Mount’s welcoming, supportive community.
Mount graduates with a degree in theology go on to pursue a variety of professional opportunities – including some not related to theology – and have been hired or done service work for organizations such as:
And have gone on to pursue graduate degrees at institutions such as:
With 33 credits needed for the theology major, many theology students elect to pursue an additional major.
There are four different theology minors at the Mount, each of which can pair with many different majors.
You’ll earn a general theology minor by completing any theology courses that earn at least 18 credits.
You’ll learn to develop a practical theology of religious education, along with a focus on theological foundations. Courses will cover the spiritual development of children and young adults as well as the complex demands of mature faith as lived within a Christian community. Additionally, you’ll focus on adolescent faith formation and faith development theory, as it’s the foundation for setting goals in religious education for youth.
You’ll learn fundamental skills needed for ministry, including planning and administration, managing volunteers, and working with a pastor and parish staff. Courses will also cover the foundations of lay ecclesial ministry, its relationship to ordained ministry and the experience of lay ministers, as well as the foundations of Christian spirituality in religious education.
You’ll learn fundamental skills needed for ministry, including planning and administration, managing volunteers, and working with a pastor and parish staff. Following guidelines from American Catholic Bishops, courses will also cover the theological foundations of ministering young people with an aim toward understanding their spiritual and religious needs as they grow into adulthood in American society today. You’ll also discuss the practical skills necessary for youth ministry, as well as Christian spirituality.
