Philosophy for Ministry, B.A. (Archdiocesan)
Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for 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
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.
- Graduates will be able to analyze and evaluate arguments.
- Graduates will be able to identify similarities and differences among major thinkers and ideas that have shaped the history of Western philosophy.
- Graduates will be able to analyze the relationship between faith and reason.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | ||
Students may substitute 6 credits of additional language or math/science courses for one Fine Art and one History requirement, or one Fine Art and one Literature requirement. | ||
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
Literature Electives | 6 | |
Language Electives | 6 | |
CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
HIST 2000-Level Elective (or THEO 2310) | 3 | |
Social Science | 3 | |
Behavioral Science | 3 | |
Natural Science | 3 | |
Science Elective | 3 | |
MATH 1200 | College Algebra (or statistics course) | 3 |
Fine Arts | 6 | |
Major Requirements | ||
PLJ 2000 | Introduction to Philosophy | 1-3 |
PLJ 3000 | Logic and Epistemology | 3 |
PLJ 3100 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 3150 | Philosophy of Nature | 3 |
PLJ 3200 | Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 3300 | Philosophical Anthropology | 3 |
PLJ 4000 | Metaphysics | 3 |
PLJ 4100 | Modern Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 4250 | Natural Theology | 3 |
PLJ 4310 | Ethics | 3 |
PLJ 4350 | Social-Political Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 4800 | Contemporary Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 4965 | Philosophy Capstone: Faith & Reason | 2-3 |
Philosophy Electives | 4 | |
Philosophy electives may be also satisfied with appropriate PHIL 3000- or PHIL 4000-level philosophy courses. | ||
Additional Ecclesiastical Requirements | ||
Ecclesiastical Latin | 6 | |
Students may take a third course in ecclesiastical Latin as an Elective | ||
Theology | 12 | |
Selected from the following courses | ||
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | |
PLJ 1050 | Catechism I: Catholic Doctrine | |
PLJ 2050 | Catholic Morality | |
PLJ 3050 | Liturgy and Sacraments I: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist | |
PLJ 3055 | Liturgy and Sacraments II: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Marriage | |
PLJ 3060 | Introduction to Scripture: Biblical Hermeneutics and Fundamental Theology | |
PLJ 4050 | Christian Prayer | |
Catechetical Methods | 1 | |
General Electives | 10-13 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
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.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ENGL 1500 or ENGL 1900 |
The Process of Composition or Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research |
3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
PLJ 1010 | Ecclesiastical Latin I | 3 |
PLJ 1050 or THEO 1000 |
Catechism I: Catholic Doctrine or Theological Foundations |
2-3 |
Credits | 17-18 | |
Spring | ||
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
Social Science Elective | 3 | |
PLJ 1020 | Ecclesiastical Latin II | 3 |
PLJ 2050 | Catholic Morality | 2 |
Credits | 17 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
PLJ 3000 | Logic and Epistemology | 3 |
Literature Elective | 3 | |
MATH 1200 | College Algebra | 3 |
Fine Art Elective | 3 | |
Language Elective I: Ecclesiastical Latin III | 3 | |
PLJ 3050 | Liturgy and Sacraments I: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist | 2 |
Credits | 17 | |
Spring | ||
PLJ 2000 | Introduction to Philosophy | 1 |
History Elective | 3 | |
Fine Art Elective | 3 | |
Literature Elective | 3 | |
Science Elective | 3 | |
PLJ 3055 | Liturgy and Sacraments II: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Marriage | 2 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
PLJ 3150 | Philosophy of Nature | 3 |
PLJ 3100 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 3060 | Introduction to Scripture: Biblical Hermeneutics and Fundamental Theology | 2 |
Language Elective II | 3 | |
Philosophy Elective I | 2 | |
General Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PLJ 3300 | Philosophical Anthropology | 3 |
PLJ 3200 | Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 4310 | Ethics | 3 |
PLJ 4050 | Christian Prayer | 2 |
Catechetical Methods | 1 | |
General Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
PLJ 4000 | Metaphysics | 3 |
PLJ 4250 | Natural Theology | 3 |
PLJ 4100 | Modern Philosophy | 3 |
General Electives | 4 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Spring | ||
PLJ 4350 | Social-Political Philosophy | 3 |
General Electives | 4 | |
PLJ 4800 | Contemporary Philosophy | 3 |
PLJ 4965 | Philosophy Capstone: Faith & Reason | 2 |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 120-121 |
For further information on scholarships available to seminarians, contact the Kenrick-Glennon Registrar Catherine Hayek at hayek@kenrick.edu.