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.

• Qualified bachelor degree bearing pre-theology candidates, with the permission of the seminary Academic Dean and the sponsoring diocese, may enroll in the optional Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies (M.A.P.S.) degree program administered by the university's philosophy department. Degree requirements to be amended August 2012.

• 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 202 Logic and Philosophical Method(3)
PHIL 311 Ancient Philosophy(3)
PTHL 003 Formation Seminar(3)
PAMU 001 Intro. Pastoral Music I (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 Intro Pastoral Music I (0.5)
PFED 002 PFE placement (optional)

Pre-theology Two - Fall Semester (14/15 credits)

PPHL 505 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 Intro Pastoral Music II (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 Intro Pastoral Music II (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 to the pre-theology formation program 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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