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Students engaged in a classroom discussion during Catholic Studies course

Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies

Catholic studies at the University of St. Thomas is an interdisciplinary program designed to help you see how all things are related by providing intellectual, spiritual and personal development in an integrated learning environment.

Why Study Catholic Studies at St. Thomas?

We are the oldest and largest Catholic studies program in the world. Our students come from a wide range of academic fields across St. Thomas to explore how Christ is present in everything around us from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will engage the Catholic intellectual tradition in every course you take, developing a capacity for integrative thinking across disciplines. You will graduate as an informed and faithful citizen ready to apply your knowledge to both your personal and professional life.

Faith Informing Reason

  • Course Requirements
  • Four-Year Plan
  • Degrees Awarded
  • Outside the Classroom
  • Course Requirements

    You will start by taking a course exploring the search for happiness, progressing into coursework examining topics such as Dante's The Divine Comedy, practical leadership in Catholic organizations and the Catholic vision. From there, you will choose courses examining important themes, traditions and significant players in the Catholic Church’s history.

    Four-Year Plan

    Catholic studies is a flexible program, meaning you can pair it with many other programs at the University of St. Thomas. We recommend connecting with a faculty member to tailor your four-year plan to fit your interests and career goals.

    Degrees Awarded

    • Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies
    • Combined Bachelor or Arts and Master of Arts in Catholic Studies
    • Minor in Catholic Studies

    Outside the Classroom

    There are numerous opportunities to engage with your peers and the greater community outside of the classroom. Whether it is the hands-on mentorship in the Catholic schoolteacher apprenticeship program or studying abroad at the Bernardi Campus in Rome, we are confident you will find an opportunity that gives you a transformative learning experience.

    Course Requirements

    Course Requirements

    You will start by taking a course exploring the search for happiness, progressing into coursework examining topics such as Dante's The Divine Comedy, practical leadership in Catholic organizations and the Catholic vision. From there, you will choose courses examining important themes, traditions and significant players in the Catholic Church’s history.

    Four-Year Plan

    Four-Year Plan

    Catholic studies is a flexible program, meaning you can pair it with many other programs at the University of St. Thomas. We recommend connecting with a faculty member to tailor your four-year plan to fit your interests and career goals.

    Degrees Awarded

    Degrees Awarded

    • Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies
    • Combined Bachelor or Arts and Master of Arts in Catholic Studies
    • Minor in Catholic Studies

    Outside the Classroom

    Outside the Classroom

    There are numerous opportunities to engage with your peers and the greater community outside of the classroom. Whether it is the hands-on mentorship in the Catholic schoolteacher apprenticeship program or studying abroad at the Bernardi Campus in Rome, we are confident you will find an opportunity that gives you a transformative learning experience.

    Grad psychology professor chats with student during a graduate psychology fair

    Career Paths

    We give you a set of interdisciplinary tools that allow you to flourish in a variety of settings.

    • Business
    • Education
    • Chemistry
    • Journalism
    • Engineering

    Scholarships

    Guadalupe's Scholars Program

    This four-year leadership formation program for Catholic studies majors and minors also offers generous tuition scholarships based on merit and need.

    Catholic Studies Rome Semester Scholarships

    Catholic studies majors and minors are eligible to apply for these generous scholarships to help offset living expenses while studying abroad.

    Catholic Studies Scholarships for First-Year Students

    Competitive scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded to engaged high school students who have been admitted to St. Thomas and are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Catholic studies.

    Prepared for the future

    50%+
    Over 50% of students study abroad with the Catholic studies Rome program.
    30+
    Current Catholic studies students are pursuing additional degrees in more than 30 fields.
    90%
    Ninety percent of graduates say their Catholic studies academic experience had a highly positive impact on their lives.

    Vast Knowledge. Versatile Skills.

    The interdisciplinary nature of our program helps you develop a body of knowledge that can help you in any professional field.

    Students walk into Sitzmann Hall

    Our Catholic Studies Home

    • Our program is located in Sitzmann Hall, home to student lounges, a lending library, a computer lab and Albertus Magnus Chapel.
    • We offer daily mass Monday through Thursday, as well as student-led Eucharistic Adoration every week.
    St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy.

    Study Abroad

    The Catholic studies study abroad program in Rome allows you to explore the Eternal City and the rich history of the Catholic Church.
    Student Anthony Hughes sits on a bed with a book while talking with friend Austin Maffei in a dorm room.

    Find Your Community

    • Live with other students sharing your interests. We have Catholic Studies floors and houses available for men and women.
    • You can engage with fellow students in a variety of ways. From national speakers visiting campus to our annual talent show, we offer numerous events and socials each year for our students.
    Student engaged in discussion during Catholic Studies class

    Combined BA + MA

    You can enroll in Catholic studies graduate-level courses as an undergraduate student! These courses will count toward your undergraduate degree in Catholic studies AND will count towards your Catholic studies master degree, which you will be able to complete within one calendar year of graduation.

    Quick Facts

    We are the first, largest and oldest Catholic studies program in the world.
    More than half of our students are pursuing additional majors or minors in conjunction with Catholic studies.

    The Catholic Studies Rome program sees students live steps from the Vatican and study at the Angelicum, where St. John Paul II studied in his younger days.

    Three students walking into Sitzmann hall

    A Faith-Based Education

    Catholic studies provides students with an understanding of how everything in our lives connects to each other. Students explore how Christ is present in everything around them, and become faithful and compassionate citizens and professionals in the process.

    Take the Next Step

    best-value-logo-2022-transparent.pngThere is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.