Pre-Theology Program

Purpose
This two-year program has as its purpose the preparation of candidates for entry into the theologate.

• For those who have completed college but lack the philosophical and theological background necessary to enter the theologate, this two-year program will equip them with 30 credit hours of philosophy (PPF 152-160), plus Ecclesiastical Latin, Biblical Greek, and undergraduate theology.
• Pending degree program approval, qualified students, with the permission of the seminary academic dean and the sponsoring diocese, may be able to opt to enroll in a Master of Arts (Philosophy) degree program.  Details forthcoming on the seminary website. 
• For those who have not yet completed an undergraduate degree, an individualized curriculum can, in most cases, allow students to complete the academic requirements for pre-theology (PPF 161) at the same time they complete the requirements for their bachelor’s degree.

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Content and Goals of the Pre-Theology Curriculum
Formation during pre-theology aims at an adult level of affective maturity and interpersonal skills, a practical spiritual discipline, an exposure to apostolic life, and intellectual readiness for graduate theological studies. The primary intellectual focus is the study of philosophy which is balanced, comprehensive, integrated, and coherent (PPF 155).  It has the following specific goals:

• an introduction to the main historical periods, the major figures, and the main fields of philosophy
• an introduction to major positions taken in the philosophical tradition that have significance for theology
• the development of analytic and critical abilities
• the development of a reflective awareness of the relation between reason and faith
• the development of the possibilities for a coherent vision of reality

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Pre-Theology Curriculum

• Pre-theology One - Fall Semester  (15 credits)
  PTHL 001     Catechism of the Catholic Church I  (3)
  GREK 950    Biblical Greek I, odd years  (3)
  or LATN 950  Ecclesiastical Latin I, even years  (3)
  PHIL 101       Logic  (3)
  PHIL 311       Ancient Philosophy  (3)
  PTHL 003      Formation Seminar  (3)
  PAMU 001    Pastoral Music/class choir  (0.5)
  PFED 001     PFE placement (optional)
• Pre-theology One - Spring Semester  (14/15 credits)
  PTHL 002     Catechism of the Catholic Church II  (3)
  GREK 960    Biblical Greek II, odd years  (3)
  or LATN 960  Ecclesiastical Latin II, even years  (3)
  PHIL 301       Ethics/Moral Philosophy  (3)
  PHIL 312       Medieval Philosophy  (3)
  -------  -----      Elective  (2 or 3)
  PAMU 002    Pastoral Music/class choir  (0.5)
  PFED 002     PFE placement (optional)
• Pre-theology Two - Fall Semester  14/15 credits)
  PPHL 005     Natural Theology  (3)
  GREK 950    Biblical Greek I, odd years  (3)
  or LATN 950      Ecclesiastical Latin I, even years  (3)
  PHIL 313      Modern Philosophy  (3)
  PHIL 321      Metaphysics  (3)                                 
  ------  ----       Elective  (2 or 3)
  PAMU 003   Pastoral Music/class choir  (0.5)
  PFED 003    PFE placement (optional)
• Pre-theology Two - Spring Semester  (14/15 credits)
  PPHL 006    Philosophical Anthropology  (3)
  GREK 960    Biblical Greek II, odd years  (3)
  or LATN 960 Ecclesiastical Latin II, even years  (3)
  PHIL 314      Contemporary Philosophy  (3)
  PHIL 318      Epistemology/Philosophy of Knowledge  (3)
  ------  ----       Elective   (2 or 3)
  PAMU 004   Pastoral Music/class choir  (0.5)
  PFED 004    PFE placement (optional)

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Location/Duration
Pre-theology is a two-year full-time residential program.

Admission Requirements
Ordinarily applicants shall hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. In particular cases, students within two years of completing their bachelor’s degree may be admitted as a “degree-completing” pre-theologian if they meet the criteria for transfer students into Mount St. Mary’s University.

Distinctive Resources
Seminary and undergraduate faculty collaborate to teach this program. The spiritual, pastoral, and human formation resources are provided exclusively by the seminary faculty. Pre-theologians are seminarians with full access to the library and information technology, learning services, writing center, EASL support, and all other aspects of campus life.

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