Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophyfor Ministry,offered through the College of Philosophy and Letters, includes an Archdiocesan concentration that is designed to meet the undergraduate requirements for ordination to diocesan priesthood. It thus provides the intellectual formation for men who have been admitted to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, where they complete the Seminary’s programs for spiritual, ministerial, and personal development.

Curriculum Overview

The archdiocesan concentration in SLU's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for Ministry is centered around a 40-credit major in philosophy, complemented by 19 credits in theology, catechesis, and ecclesiastical Latin. The degree requires in addition 51 credits in general education.  The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120.

Careers

This program of study provides students with the philosophical, theological, language, and other general undergraduate requirements for advancing toward ordination, as approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and set forth in The Program for Priestly Formation. 

Admission

Admission requirements for each diocese in the area of academic achievement, personal character, and spiritual ideals must be met. 

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.

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 course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Begin Your Application

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from 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.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

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

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should 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://finaid.slu.edu.

For further information on scholarships available to seminarians, contact the Kenrick-Glennon Registrar Catherine Hayek at hayek@kenrick.edu. 

1. Graduates will be able to analyze & evaluate arguments.
2. Graduates will be able to identify similarities and differences among major thinkers & ideas that have shaped the history of Western philosophy.
3. Graduates will be able to analyze the relationship between faith and reason.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA).

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.