Major in Catholic Studies

The Catholic Studies major is a perfect choice for those seeking an interdisciplinary education animated by the Catholic intellectual tradition that combines theology, philosophy, literature, history, the arts, and more. At its heart, a Catholic Studies degree helps students appreciate how God has made all things new through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and how the work of healing and elevating thought and culture continues today. Through our foundational courses, Catholic Studies majors renew their minds by contemplating the good, the true, and the beautiful. Students then choose additional electives from within the Program and across campus that engage the Catholic intellectual tradition more deeply, integrate Catholic Studies with their chosen vocation, and prepare them to advance this tradition in their own personal and professional lives.

Requirements: minimum of 33 credit hours including:

HUM 175 – Introduction to Humanities (3 credits)

CTH 225 – Beauty and Human Making (3 credits)

CTH 230 – Happiness and the Good Life (3 credits)

CTH 305 – God and the Transcendent (3 credits)

HUM 325 – The Catholic Intellectual Tradition (3 credits) or
HUM 326 – The Dominican Intellectual Tradition (3 credits)

CTH 480 – Catholic Studies Capstone (3 credits)

15 Elective Credits (at least 9 at the 300-level or above, though exceptions can be made for language courses)

Up to 12 elective credits can be drawn from outside the Program. This offers every student the opportunity to integrate a Catholic Studies degree with disciplines across campus, and when appropriate electives can be drawn from core courses, courses in a minor or second major, or other special areas of interest.

Electives are chosen in consultation with the Program Director so that they contribute to an integrated consideration of the student’s chosen theme addressed in the Catholic Studies Capstone.

Interested students should contact Dr. Jim Keating, the Director of the Humanities Program, or Dr. Raymond Hain, the Associate Director of the Humanities Program, and review the guidelines for Change of Major/Minor/Concentration.

Catholic Studies Beyond the Classroom

The Humanities Program sponsors a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, many of which are ideal for Catholic Studies majors.

All students are encouraged to participate as juniors or seniors in The Rome Semester, a life changing fall study abroad opportunity in Rome, the heart of the Church. Students live in community at the Pontifical Irish College, a few blocks from the Colosseum, and take courses at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Prospective and current students are also invited to apply to our competitive St. Dominic Fellows program. Fellows are degree seeking students in the Humanities Program, take a leadership role on campus in service to our Catholic and Dominican mission, and participate in our Duc in Altum immersion experiences.

We also make resources available to the entire campus in support of our Catholic and Dominican mission through our Mission Mini-Grants, a collaboration with the Office of Mission and Ministry.

See our Signature Initiatives for a complete description of these opportunities and many more.