Medieval Studies, B.A.

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary major focusing on the medieval world. Students gain in-depth knowledge of the history, art, literature, theology and philosophy of medieval Europe and often partner this major with other affiliated programs at SLU with medieval strengths.

Curriculum Overview

After completing an introductory course, students will take a broad selection of courses in affiliated departments. By their junior year, they will select primary and secondary concentrations, within which they will take upper-level courses.

All students will achieve Latin competency at the intermediate level and will also complete a capstone or internship at the end of their program. Students are encouraged to study abroad during the course of their education.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Medieval studies students at SLU can move on to advanced graduate studies in medieval fields and may be admitted to competitive programs around the world. Other graduates choose to pursue further education in fields such as museum studies and archival studies.

Careers

Graduates who major in Medieval studies at SLU are well prepared for a wide variety of jobs both inside and outside the academic realm.

Potential careers for Medieval studies graduates include:

• Teacher or professor
• Curator at a museum or historic site
• Writer, editor, or journalist
• Librarian or archivist
• Historian, researcher, or historical consultant
• Expert in international relations

Medieval studies graduates are well suited to enter fields that require a well-rounded liberal arts background with skills in research, analysis, and oral and written communication, from law to business to medicine and beyond. 

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to describe and evaluate characteristics of medieval Europe's history (including its political, economic, social, and religious life) and culture (including its ideas, values, arts, and literature).
2. Graduates will be able to use medieval textual sources in the original Latin as evidence in analyzing medieval history and culture.
3. Graduates will be able to apply the content and methods of scholarly inquiry from multiple disciplines to inform the understanding of medieval history and culture.

Medieval studies students must complete a minimum total of 39 credits for the major.  Students may apply SLU's College of Arts and Sciences core requirement courses to the Bachelor of Arts in Medieval Studies.

¹

Fulfilled by passing LATN 2010 Intermediate Latin: Language & Literature (3 cr) with a "C+" or better, or testing out of LATN 2010 Intermediate Latin: Language & Literature (3 cr), or passing a Latin course above LATN 2010 Intermediate Latin: Language & Literature (3 cr).

Continuation Standards

Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in medieval studies major/minor coursework to be retained in the major/minor.

Medieval Art History

Courses with a 'Medieval (Major) - Art History' attribute, such as:

Medieval History

Courses with a 'Medieval (Major) - History' attribute, such as:

Medieval Literature

Courses with a 'Medieval (Major) - Literature' attribute, such as:

Medieval Philosophy

Courses with a 'Medieval (Major) - Philosophy' attribute, such as:

Medieval Theology

Courses with a 'Medieval (Major) - Theology' attribute, such as:

Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
• Complete major requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses.
  
  In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
• Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

¹

Introductory course for the major.

²

If needed; not part of credit count for major.

³

Five of these six foundational courses are required: HIST 3040 From Barbarians to Crusaders: Europe in the Early Middle Ages (3 cr), HIST 3050 From Cathedrals to Printing Presses: Europe in the Late Middle Ages (3 cr), THEO 2320 Seeking God and Building Faith in the Middle Ages (3 cr), ENGL 3250 British Literary Traditions to 1800 (0,3 cr), PHIL 4500 Medieval Philosophy (3 cr), ARTH 2410 Art of Cathedrals and Kings (3 cr) or ARTH 2450 Art of Pilgrimage and Crusades (3 cr).

⁴

May be waived by testing out or by passing a higher Latin course.

⁵

Students choose a primary/secondary concentration in one of the following medieval disciplines: History (including Archaeology), Art History, Theology, Philosophy (including Paleography), Literature (English, French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish).

⁶

Capstone course for the major.

Program Notes

Total credits for the medieval studies major: 36-39 (depending on whether the student tests out of the Latin requirement).

A student may apply required A&S Core courses to the requirements of the medieval studies major.