Catholic Theology Major (B.A.)
All students are welcome in the Catholic Theology program, whether as a primary major, a secondary major, or as a program minor. Non-majors are also welcome to register for any course of interest to them for which they meet the prerequisites. Courses engage the full range of Catholic thought concerning Scripture, doctrine, moral living, worship, and prayer, as well as the Church’s contributions to philosophy and social-political life.
Students pursuing the bachelor’s degree program may choose one of the two options described below.
Students majoring in Theology must also fulfill the University Core requirements as indicated below; fulfill the Core requirements of the School of Theology; maintain at least a 2.0 GPA; and complete 120 total credits along with the particular program option requirements of the bachelor’s degree.
Interruption of Academic Study
International students who are in formation for the priesthood or religious life, and who hold an I-20, may interrupt their academic program of study and register for “Curricular Practical Training” (“CPT”) in order to fulfill the formation requirements of their respective institutes.
Other students in formation for the priesthood or religious life also may interrupt their studies and register for Formation Internships in order to fulfill the formation requirements of their respective institutes.
University Required Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1201 & ENGL 1202 | Core English I and Core English II | 6 |
| CORE 1001 | University Life | 1 |
| CORE 1101 | Journey of Transformation | 3 |
| CORE 2101 | Christianity and Cult in Dial. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
School of Theology Required Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics/Creativity | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Catholicism and Literature | ||
| CAST 2011 | Catholicism and Art | 3 |
Another course * | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| Western Civilization I and Western Civilization II | ||
| American History I and American History II | ||
| Language | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| New Testament Greek I and New Testament Greek II | ||
| Intermediate Latin I and Intermediate Latin II | ||
| GREK 2205 & GREK 2206 | and | 0 |
| Philosophical Theology | ||
| Select two courses (six credits) of the following: | 6 | |
| History of Philosophy I | ||
| Philosophy of Nature | ||
| Philosophy of Being | ||
| Philosophical Ethics (Requiring either PLTL 2223 Philosophy of Nature or PLTL 2218 Philosophy of Being)) | ||
Other Courses ** | ||
| Rhetoric/Oral Communication | ||
| COST 1600 | Speaking and Listening in a Digital and Global Age | 3 |
| Science and Math | ||
| One MATH course *** | 3 | |
| One Science course **** | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| United States Politics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
Or another course from the Department of English, or in the subject areas of art and music, chosen in consultation with the student’s academic adviser.
- **
With the approval of the Chair of Philosophical Theology
- ***
Chosen in consultation with the student’s academic adviser.
- ****
With lab/without lab, chosen in consultation with the student’s academic adviser.
Major Requirements
Program Option I
Students seeking to explore the interaction of faith and reason at the foundations of Catholic thought are required to fulfill the following course of study. N.B. This program is open to all students, but is mandatory for undergraduate seminarians, as stipulated by the Program of Priestly Formation (Sixth Edition, 2022).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophical Theology | ||
| PLTL 1111 & PLTL 1112 & PLTL 1113 | History of Philosophy I and History of Philosophy II and History of Philosophy III | 9 |
| PLTL 1242 | Philosophical Logic | 3 |
| PLTL 2218 | Philosophy of Being | 3 |
| PLTL 2223 | Philosophy of Nature | 3 |
| PLTL 2241 | Philosophical Ethics | 3 |
| PLTL 2243 | Theory of Knowledge | 3 |
| PLTL 3214 | Philosophy of Person | 3 |
| PLTL 3416 | Philosophy of God | 3 |
| Foundational Theology | ||
| THEO 1102 | The Bible: Word of God and Book of the Church | 3 |
| THEO 1203 | New Life in Christ | 3 |
| THEO 1404 | The Life of the Soul | 3 |
| THEO 1501 | To Know God-Intro to RC Doctri | 3 |
| THEO 1502 | Churchs Saving Mysteries | 3 |
| Advanced Level Theology | ||
| Select four advanced level theology courses * | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
- *
Under normal circumstances, students also choose four advanced level theology courses in consultation with their academic adviser.
Program Option II
Students seeking a more focused study in specific fields of Catholic Theology are required to fulfill the following course of study.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Theology | ||
| THEO 1102 | The Bible: Word of God and Book of the Church | 3 |
| THEO 1203 | New Life in Christ | 3 |
| THEO 1404 | The Life of the Soul | 3 |
| THEO 1501 | To Know God-Intro to RC Doctri | 3 |
| THEO 1502 | Churchs Saving Mysteries | 3 |
| Advanced Level Theology | ||
| Select seven courses (21 credits) from the following areas of Catholic Theology: * | 21 | |
Sacred Scripture | ||
Moral Theology | ||
Spiritual Theology | ||
Systematic Theology | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
Chosen in consultation with the student’s academic adviser.
Apply to Seton Hall
Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Seton Hall has reached new heights in academic excellence, faculty research and student success. Ready to take the next steps on your academic or career path?
