Certificate Program in Pre-Theology Studies
The School of Philosophy offers a two-year program in pre-theology studies leading to the Certificate in Pre-Theology Studies. Candidates for the certificate are matriculated in the School of Philosophy and follow a course of studies determined by the vision and norms of the Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition, for pre-theology studies as specified below. For qualified candidates the certificate program may be combined with studies for the degree of Master of Arts or Licentiate in philosophy.
Certificate Program Requirements
The Certificate in Pre-Theology Studies is awarded upon the completion of 16 to 20 courses for a total of 48 to 60 credits over the two-year period of the program. Candidates take a minimum of 4 courses each semester but the program allows and encourages students to take full advantage of the richness of the offerings of the university for pre-theology studies by taking a full complement of courses.
The certificate program requires the following distribution of courses in order to reach 16 courses for 48 credits:
10 philosophy courses (30 credits) distributed as follows:
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
1. PHIL 353 History of Ancient Philosophy
2. PHIL 354 History of Medieval Philosophy
3. PHIL 453 History of Modern Philosophy
4. PHIL 454 Contemporary Philosophy
ETHICS
5. PHIL 309 Theories of Ethics or PHIL 311 Contemporary Moral Issues or PHIL 303 Biomedical Ethics
METAPHYSICS*
6. PHIL 355 Metaphysics I
7. PHIL 356 Metaphysics II
*Note: In special cases PHIL 305 Metaphysics, and PHIL 308 Philosophy of God, or PHIL 317 Philosophy of Religion, may be substituted for PHIL 355 and PHIL 356.
PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND OTHER COURSES
8. PHIL 313 Philosophy of Human Nature
9. One of the following:
PHIL 331 Philosophy of Knowledge
PHIL 317 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 311 Contemporary Moral Issues
PHIL 303 Bioethics
PHIL 315 Philosophy of Language
PHIL 332 Political Philosophy
PHIL 328 Philosophy of Social Science
PHIL 329 Philosophy of Science
LOGIC
10. PHIL 301 Reasoning and Argumentation or PHIL 302 Introductory Logic
4 theology courses (12 credits), normally distributed as follows:
11. TRS 562A Foundations of Catholicism I
12. TRS 562B Foundations of Catholicism II
13. TRS 504A Introduction to the Old Testament
14. TRS 504B Introduction to the New Testament
2 courses in Latin or other appropriate coursework as specified in the Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition (6 credits)
For candidates satisfying more than the minimum requirements for the certificate, further appropriate course work in theology, languages, the liberal arts, and speech would be added, in accord with the norms of the Program of Priestly Formation.
To earn the certificate all courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Candidates for the certificate program earn the certificate through coursework at The Catholic University of America according to the following policies:
Students will always take at least 4 theology courses and 2 additional courses at the University to earn the certificate.
If students have taken theology courses elsewhere that are fully equivalent to theology courses required for the certificate program, other appropriate theology courses would be substituted from the offerings of the School of Theology and Religious Studies. The Associate Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies for Seminary and Ministerial Studies would determine issues of equivalency for theology courses and indicate the appropriate substitute theology courses to the Associate Dean of the School of Philosophy.
With respect to philosophy courses, up to 2 three-credit undergraduate courses in philosophy taken elsewhere that are fully equivalent to courses required in the certificate program here may be recognized and other appropriate courses substituted for them. In every case, at least half of the credits earned toward the certificate will be in philosophy courses taken at The Catholic University of America. Thus, if the certificate is earned by completing 16 courses, at least 8 philosophy courses have to be included among those courses. If the certificate is earned with 20 courses, at least 10 philosophy courses have to be included among those courses. The Associate Dean of the School of Philosophy would determine issues of equivalency for philosophy courses.