Program Goals
This program is designed to:
(1) foster a deeper understanding and integration of Catholic theology and its connection to pastoral ministry;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills required for effective pastoral ministry in contemporary contexts;
(3) encourage growth in personal and spiritual maturity.
CORE COURSES (24 credits)
PHIL 501: Philosophical Themes of Catholic Theology
THEO 501: Foundations of Theology
SCRI 500: Introduction to the Old Testament
*SCRI 510: Introduction to the New Testament
*THEO 510: Christology and Trinity
THEO 530: Christian Morality
THEO 540: Liturgy and Sacraments
THEO 551: Ecclesiology of Vatican II
* SCRI 505: Introduction to Scripture + SCRI 516: Johannine Literature, SCRI 521: St. Paul’s Epistles, SCRI 532: Torah, or others could replace SCRI 500 + SCRI 510
CONCENTRATION COURSES (12 credits)
THEO 525: Theology of Ministry
PAST 501: Pastoral Ministry: The Other
THEO 570: Canon Law for Ministry
Plus one of the following courses:PAST 510: Pastoral Ministry: Self
RLED 514: Theories of Religious Development
THEO 560: Christian Anthropology
SPIR 537: Leadership and Spirituality
THEO 585: Selected Topics in Theology
ELECTIVE (3 credits)
Any 500-level SMC course
Note: Students can take an elective course with the other Theological Colleges, with approval from the Dean of Theology.
RESEARCH METHODS (no credits)
MTHD: Basic Research Skills Modules
CAPSTONE (3 credits)
PAST 600: Field-Based Learning Project
Learning Outcomes
Students who have successfully completed this program:
- Students demonstrate an ability to conduct informed biblical interpretation within the Catholic tradition and will demonstrate an understanding of the church’s teaching and practice from historical, doctrinal and systematic perspectives;
- Students demonstrate knowledge of pastoral theology and its cognate disciplines and develop pastoral skills essential to its application in diverse contexts;
- Students demonstrate capacities for theory-praxis integration and for theological reflection in the context of their chosen area of ministry.