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Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies at Marian University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Catholic Studies

Are you interested in how the Catholic faith illumines and challenges the world? Do you want to examine more fully how to live out your baptismal promise?

The Catholic intellectual tradition offers 2,000 years of wisdom and insight rooted in the disciplines of theology and philosophy.

Why choose Catholic studies at Marian?

If you earn a bachelor's degree in Catholic studies at Marian University, you'll study the history of this rich tradition and gain understanding about contemporary theological and philosophical teachings. You will customize your program of study according to your own unique interests by choosing a concentration in 

  • Theology
  • Philosophy
  • Pre-theology

If you choose to earn a degree in a subject other than Catholic studies, such as pastoral leadership or pastoral music ministry, consider adding one of these to your plan of study:

  • Minor in Catholic studies
  • Concentration in Catholic studies


Bishop Coyne is one of the many engaging Catholic speakers that Marian University draws every year.

B.A. in Catholic Studies with concentration in theology: 39 credits

  • THL 105: Introduction to Theology
  • THL 208: The Church
  • THL 216 or 218 or 322: Moral Issues or Fundamental Catholic Moral Theology or Social Teaching
  • THL 232 or 236: History of Christian Thought or Liturgy and Spirituality
  • THL 226: New Testament
  • THL 228: Old Testament
  • THL 361 or elective: Theory of Catechetics
  • THL 490: Senior Seminar
  • PHL 130: Human Nature and Person
  • PHL 350: God and Philosophy
  • PHL elective: 3 credits
  • ​Two (2) Catholic studies courses outside of THL/PHL

Sample four-year plan and checklist

B.A. in Catholic Studies with concentration in philosophy: 39 credits

  • PHL 130: Human Nature and Person
  • PHL 150 or 240 or 350: Logic or Social and Political Philosophy or God and Philosophy
  • PHL 203 or 205: Plato and Aristotle or Augustine and Aquinas
  • PHL 215: Personal and Professional Ethics
  • PHL 320: Philosophy of Knowledge
  • PHL 330: Philosophy of Being (Metaphysics)
  • PHL 349: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
  • PHL 490: Senior Philosophy Seminar
  • THL 105: Introduction to Theology
  • THL 228: New Testament
  • THL 232 or 332: History of Christian Thought or Creative Theologians of the Modern Era
  • Two (2) Catholic studies courses outside of PHL/THL

Sample four-year plan and checklist

B.A. in Catholic Studies with concentration in pre-theology: 48 credits

  • PHL 130: Human Nature and Person
  • PHL 150: Logic
  • PHL 203: Plato and Aristotle
  • PHL 205: Augustine and Aquinas
  • PHL 215: Personal and Professional Ethics
  • PHL 320:  Philosophy of Knowledge
  • PHL 330: Philosophy of Being (Metaphysics)
  • PHL 349: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
  • PHL 350: God and Philosophy
  • PHL 490: Senior Philosophy Seminar
  • THL 103: Catholic Beliefs and Practices
  • THL 105: Introduction to Theology
  • THL 216: Moral Issues
  • THL 226 or 228: Old Testament or New Testament
  • Two (2) Catholic studies courses outside of PHL/THL

Sample four-year plan and checklist

Minor in Catholic Studies: 24 credits

  • THL 105: Introduction to Theology
  • Two (2) courses chosen from the following:
    —  THL 103: Catholic Beliefs and Practices
    —  THL 208 or 216 or 218: The Church or Moral Issues or Fundamental Catholic Moral Theology
    —  THL 232: History of Christian Thought
    —  THL 236: Liturgy and Spirituality
    —  THL 322: Catholic Social Teaching
    —  THL 381: Special Topics in Catholic Studies
  • PHL 130: Human Nature and Person
  • Two (2) courses chosen from the following:
    —  PHL 205: Augustine and Aquinas
    —  PHL 215: Personal and Professional Ethics
    —  PHL 240: Social and Political Philosophy
    —  PHL 350: God and Philosophy
    —  PHL 381: Selected Topics in Catholic Studies
  • Two (2) Catholic studies courses outside of PHL/THL

Concentration in Catholic Studies: 15 credits

  • THL 105: Introduction to Theology
  • PHL 130: Human Nature and Person
  • Nine (9) additional credits chosen from the following, with at least one course from THL and one from PHL
    —  THL 103: Catholic Beliefs and Practices
    —  THL 232: History of Christian Thought
    —  THL 236: Liturgy and Spirituality
    —  THL 322: Catholic Social Teaching
    —  THL 381: Selected Topics in Catholic Studies
    —  PHL 205: Augustine and Aquinas
    —  PHL 215: Personal and Professional Ethics
    —  PHL 240: Social and Political Philosophy
    —  PHL 350: God and Philosophy
    —  PHL 381: Selected Topics in Catholic Studies

Related Links

For admission information

Office of Undergraduate Admission
(317) 955-6300
(800)772-7264
admissions@marian.edu

For program specifrics

Matthew Sherman
Department Chair & Assistant Professor of Theology
msherman@marian.edu

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