Program Goals
This program is designed to:
(1) foster a deeper understanding and integration of Catholic theology and its connection to educational ministry;
(2) develop the knowledge and pastoral skills required for effective educational ministry in contemporary contexts;
(3) encourage growth in personal and spiritual maturity.
CORE COURSES (27 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
HIST 505: History of the Church
* 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 (9 credits)
THEO 525: Theology of Ministry
Plus two of the following courses:
RLED 512: Catechetics
RLED 514: Theories of Religious Development
CALR 526: Curriculum, Assessment and Evaluation in Catholic schools
CALR 510: Leadership and Aims of Catholic Education
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)
RLED 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 demonstrate an understanding of the Church’s teaching and practice from historical, doctrinal and systematic perspectives;
- Students demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles of Catholic education and develop pastoral skills essential to their application in diverse contexts;
- Students demonstrate capacities for theory-praxis integration and for theological reflection in the context of educational ministry.