Catholic Theology, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Program Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Catholic Theology from Saint Louis University equips Catholic educators with the theological knowledge and skills to effectively teach religion at the high school level or lead religious education programs. The 18-credit hour program offers a range of required and elective courses, including core doctrinal loci and practical subjects. Graduates qualify for certification as high school religion teachers and other religious education roles.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Catholic Theology is a graduate program offered by the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. It is designed to support the Bishops’ Curriculum Framework for high school religion teachers. The program focuses on six required doctrinal loci: God/Trinity, Christ, Salvation, Ecclesiology, Sacraments, and Christian Ethics. It also includes five elective doctrinal loci: Bible, Church History, Catholic Social Teaching, Christian Vocations, and Ecumenical/Interreligious Dialogue. The program aims to equip Catholic educators with the necessary theological knowledge and skills to become certified as high school religion teachers, adult religious education coordinators, or directors of religious education. It can also count towards the completion of the 36-credit Master of Arts in Religious Education.

Outline:

The program consists of 18 credit hours of coursework, which can be completed either full-time or part-time. The required courses are offered on a two-year rotation, with many scheduled late afternoons, evenings, and during the summer to accommodate the schedules of Catholic educators.

Required Courses:

• THEO 5000 Introduction to the Old Testament (3 credits)
• THEO 5100 Introduction to the New Testament (3 credits)
• THEO 5440 Christology (3 credits)
• THEO 5500 Sacraments (3 credits)
• THEO 5670 Social Justice and the Catholic Social Teaching Tradition (3 credits)
• THEO 5680 History of Moral Theology (3 credits)

Additional Courses Required for Certification in the Archdiocese of St. Louis:

• THEO 5810 Ignatian Spirituality & Pedagogy (3 credits)
• EDI 5360 Principles and Methods of Catechesis (3 credits)

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for careers as:

• High school religion teachers
• Adult religious education coordinators
• Directors of religious education

Other:

The program is designed to meet the needs of a national audience, providing a core of required courses while allowing for additional electives to meet the particular needs of a local diocesan school system.

Tuition Per Credit Tuition Cost Per Credit Graduate Tuition $1,370