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Basic Diploma in Catholic Theology

Purpose

The purpose of the Basic Diploma in Catholic Theology is to provide students with a course of study in the area of the foundations of Catholic theology as well as communications and basic ministry skills. This course of study constitutes a partial fulfillment of the requirements for archdiocesan certification of volunteers and professionals in ministry, and it may be used as a component of the Associate of Arts in Ministry (A.A.M.) degree or the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree. 

Goals

SHMS strives to instill in its Basic Diploma recipients an ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of Sacred Scripture, Catholic tradition, and ministry, such as:

  • Demonstrate the use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and some conciliar documents for the study of Catholic theology.
  • Identify the basic tenets of the Catholic faith.
  • Apply Catholic theology and the principles of theological reflection to a ministerial case study.

Course of Study (27 credit hours)

CLA 153Rhetoric3 cr
CLA 161Introduction to Oral Communication3 cr
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology (or) an introductory course in psychology)3 cr
THE 123Introduction to the Catholic Faith2 cr
THE 210Introduction to Liturgy and Sacraments2 cr
THE 219Introduction to the Catholic Church2 cr
THE 249Introduction to Sacred Scripture3 cr
THE 243Introduction to Spirituality2 cr
THE 274Introduction to Moral Theology2 cr
THE 310Apologetics I*3 cr
MNS 101Theology of Ministry2 cr

*To be taken in student’s final year of the Basic Diploma in Catholic Theology program.

Program Requirements

  1. A minimum of 27 credits must be earned through completion of the course of study.
  2. A minimum of 14 semester hours of credit must be earned at SHMS.
  3. The student must maintain a C average (2.0).
  4. The student must participate in three Formation Sessions during the course of study.
    1. a. Discernment
    2. b. Theological reflection
    3. c. Spiritual Direction
  5. The student must participate in an assessment process at the time of graduation.

 
 

See a complete list of our  Undergraduate Course Descriptions.

 

See ourAcademic Catalogs for this and past academic years.

 

Admissions

Admissions information for the Basic Diploma in Catholic Theology can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions page.