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Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree
The degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology provides the student with a solid, organic, and complete instruction in theology at the basic level, enabling graduates to pursue further studies in the sacred sciences. This is a prerequisite for the further specialization of the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.), which in this degree sequence presupposes familiarity with the wide variety of subject matter and disciplines that constitute the Christian theological tradition.
Degree Requirements
Admission
The S.T.B. program is also open to qualified students who are not candidates for the M.Div. or the ordained ministry in the Roman Catholic Church.
The following prerequisites for admission will be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions which may, in individual cases, allow the student to remedy particular deficiencies during the first year of the program:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Superior achievement and the ability to pursue graduate work as indicated by the transcript of previous studies (with a minimum GPA of 3.00).
- Three letters of recommendation by persons who are in a position to judge the applicant’s ability in this academic area, along with a current photo and a completed application form.
- Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) indicating aptitude for graduate studies in theology and religious studies.
- An undergraduate foundation in philosophy, consisting of a minimum of 36 credit hours in all the systematic and historical tracts: i.e., logic, philosophy of nature, metaphysics, philosophy of knowledge, philosophical anthropology, philosophical ethics; ancient philosophy, introduction to Thomas Aquinas, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, and recent philosophy.
- A reading knowledge of Latin
Philosophical Preparation for the S.T.B.
To prepare students for the study of theology according to the apostolic constitution for ecclesiastical faculties Sapientia christiana, all students will be required, unless they present an unusually strong preparation in philosophy, to follow two full years (a minimum of 36 credit hours) of courses in historical and systematic philosophy.
Course Work
A minimum of 90 semester hours of credit is required according to the following distribution:
- Foundational (15):
Nature and Method of Theology (3)
Principles of Christian Moral Life I and II (6)
Introduction to Church Law (3)
Liturgiology (3)
- Systematic Theology (15):
Triune God (3)
Creation and the Human Person (3)
Theology of Grace (3)
Christology (3)
Ecclesiology (3)
- Sacramental Theology (6):
Sacraments of Initiation (3)
Eucharist and Orders (3)
- Moral Theology (9):
Theological Virtues (3)
Cardinal and Moral Virtues (3)
Christian Social and Sexual Teaching (3)
- Scripture (18):
three courses from Old Testament offerings (9)
three courses from New Testament offerings (9)
- Church History (3):
one course chosen from the appropriate offerings
- Electives (24):
eight courses chosen from the appropriate offerings
Language Requirements
Students are expected to have a reading knowledge of Latin and New Testament Greek; since Latin is considered a prerequisite, this requirement must be satisfied by the end of the first semester. Reading knowledge of New Testament Greek must be satisfied by the end of the first year. Candidates for the licentiate are also encouraged to study the languages necessary for entrance into the S.T.L. program.
Grade Point Average
The student must maintain a grade point average of 3.25 or above.
Comprehensive Examination
To qualify for the comprehensive examination, the student must have satisfied the Latin and Greek requirements and have a grade point average of 3.25 or above. The awarding of the S.T.B. degree depends upon the successful completion of the comprehensive examination and a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or above from all required courses. Usually the student takes the comprehensive examination during the sixth semester of study. The subject matter is material covered in the courses in systematic and sacramental theology, moral theology, and Scripture. In order to pass the comprehensive exam, a student must receive an average grade of 3.0 on the exam. A candidate for the S.T.B. degree may not continue candidacy after two failures in the comprehensive examination.
Residency
The residency requirement for the S.T.B. degree is six semesters.
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