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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES

  1. The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts is granted to those students who fulfill the following general minimum requirements:
    1. 125 semester hours in courses specified below or approved by the Academic Dean, with at least 57 hours of upper-division courses. Any student seeking a degree from Saint Joseph Seminary College is required to be a full-time resident student, taking a minimum of 12 semester hours each semester of enrollment. Courses required by Saint Joseph Seminary College and taken at another college will not be accepted for transfer credit unless previously approved as such by the Academic Dean.
    2. Ordinarily, the last 32 semester hours of credit must be in residence at Saint Joseph Seminary College.
    3. Maintain a cumulative C average in the courses applicable toward the degree and in upper-division required courses.
    4. As specified in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Program of Priestly Formation, there will be a minimum of 30 semester hours in philosophy and 12 semester hours in undergraduate theology.
    5. Six semester hours in Latin are required for satisfying the language requirement; additional hours may be undertaken through four to six hours of another language or by a further four to six hours of Latin.
    6. Payment of the graduation fee and presence at the graduation exercises are required of all who receive a degree.
  2. The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies is granted to those students who fulfill the following general minimum requirements:
    1. Hold 60 or more hours of applicable credit from another institution (see description under Programs).
    2. Ordinarily, the last 31 semester hours of credit must be in residence at Saint Joseph Seminary College.
    3. Maintain a cumulative C average in the courses applicable toward the degree and in upper division required courses.
    4. As specified in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Program of Priestly Formation, there will be a minimum of 30 semester hours in philosophy and 12 semester hours in undergraduate theology.
    5. Six semester hours in Latin are required toward satisfying the language requirement.
    6. Payment of the graduation fee and presence at the graduation exercises are required of all who receive a degree.
    7. Please note: Since the courses leading to this degree, except Latin, are considered upper division, extra work is required from the students in classes considered lower division, specifically THE 101 and 201, in the curriculum leading to the B.A. in Philosophy and Theological Studies.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

The purpose of the general education program at Saint Joseph Seminary College is to ensure students' breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts and their ability to communicate clearly and effectively, in preparation for major coursework. As an introduction into the wider range of human learning, the general education program aims for the following goals:
  • To introduce students to a variety of liberals arts disciplines, with the intent of broadening their educational foundations.
  • To provide the student with opportunities to develop skills in writing and speaking necessary to communicate effectively.
  • To provide the student with opportunities to develop an appreciation for interdisciplinary learning and the skills necessary for life-long learning.
Student learning outcomes proceeding from the general education goals listed above are expressed in the following measures:
  • The student will demonstrate an appreciation for the arts and literature; a basic knowledge of a foreign language; and an introduction to scientific method and basic mathematics.
  • The student will write and speak effectively.
  • The student will demonstrate a familiarity with information literacy.
  • The student will become acquainted with time management and other skills associated with independent learning.
Recognizing these general education goals and outcomes, all baccalaureate curricula include minimum general education requirements.

General education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts are the following:
  • English composition 6 hours
  • Latin 6 hours
  • Fine Arts 3 hours
  • Philosophy 4 hours
  • Literature 3 hours
  • Psychology 3 hours
  • Mathematics 3 hours
  • Theology 6 hours
  • Natural Science 6 hours
General education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies are described in paragraph two of Special Admission Information and Other Notices about the B.A. in Philosophy and Theological Studies, on its page in the Programs section. These requirements include 6 semester hours of Latin provided in the program of study for the B.A. in Philosophy and Theological Studies.


MAJOR PROGRAM GOALS AND OUTCOMES

The purpose of major baccalaureate programs at Saint Joseph Seminary College is to prepare students for graduate work in theology through close study of philosophy and other liberal arts subjects. As a coherent course of study that emphasizes integration and synthesis among philosophy and other liberal arts, major programs aim for the following goals:
  • To provide the student with concentrations of study appropriate for entrance into graduate study at a Roman Catholic theologate, as designated in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Program of Priestly Formation.
  • To provide the student with a survey of the major achievements and the major moral and philosophical questions of Western civilization.
  • To introduce the student to basic theological principles.
  • To provide the student with opportunities to develop effective reasoning and critical and creative thinking.
  • To assist the student in appreciating the need for life-long growth and integration in intellectual, spiritual, human, and pastoral formation.
  • To assist the student in understanding the need for pastoral charity, expressed through service to one's neighbor.
Student learning outcomes proceeding from the major program goals listed above are expressed in the following measures:
  • The student will evidence curricular preparation for entrance into graduate study in a Roman Catholic theologate.
  • The student will demonstrate an appreciation for the past, particularly for the development of philosophical inquiry in Western civilization, in the context of the liberal arts.
  • The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the Catholic faith.
  • The student will reason effectively and think both critically and creatively.
  • The student will manifest a mature and healthy lifestyle.
  • The student will show a foundation for holistic spirituality, a desire for Christian service, and growth in discernment to a vocation to the Roman Catholic priesthood.