Catholic Colleges

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask this considering my other questions, but I kind of need to. So I have had a desire to major in theology and work with either a Catholic apostolate or as a theology teacher. Which Catholic colleges would be best to obtain such a degree? Are there any in Washington state, or in a nearby state? I'm fine going out of state, but staying in state would be easier, although I think most are quite liberal. Also, I'm fine with getting my bachelor's and masters degree at separate schools.

 

Thanks; I've been trying to research this on my own, but have had little success.

Edited July 10, 2013 by Poorly Catechized Convert

[OnlySunshine]

In Washington state:

 

Gonzaga University (nevermind!  they have a LGBT center on-campus)

 

 

 

In other states:

 

Christendom College

 

Benedictine College

 

Franciscan University at Steubenville

 

Mount St. Mary in Emmittsburg, MD

 

University of Dallas

 

Creighton University

 

Catholic University of America

 

 

 

List of Catholic schools recommended by Newman Guide:

 

http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/TheNewmanGuide/RecommendedColleges.aspx

Edited July 10, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[Amppax]

I can vouch for Franciscan.  The theology department is excellent.  I'm really excited about our new President too.  

 

However, it's a little far from Washington State.  

[Basilisa Marie]

I'm from Washington State.  

 

There's St. Martin's, which is okay. I had a friend go there.  Gonzaga, not so much.  Western is super liberal-artsy-hippie school in general, but their Newman Center is fan-freaking-tastic.  There aren't very many good Catholic schools in the northwest, there are a lot more back east.  You're better off moving out of state (I'm a graduate of Mount St. Mary's in Maryland, loved my time there), or majoring in something like history or a language or something useful and just getting involved with your Newman Center if you stay in-state.  Employers seem to value experience over formal education most of the time.

 

If you want a Master's in theology, you can major in philosophy (at a catholic school, not a liberal school, their departments usually aren't great), english, history, a foreign language, etc.  I'm the only former theology major in my Master's program for my year.   

 

Edit: Also, most people do their MA at a different school, depending on where they get a graduate assistantship or something like that.  

Edited July 10, 2013 by Basilisa Marie

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Thanks for the replies.

 

 

I can vouch for Franciscan.  The theology department is excellent.  I'm really excited about our new President too.  

 

However, it's a little far from Washington State.  

 

I'd love to go to Franciscan. That's the one faithful Catholic college that I know anything about. I do think I'd like it there, but first I want to investigate other options. Thanks; it's good to hear more confirmation about the school's quality.

 

 

I'm from Washington State.  

 

There's St. Martin's, which is okay. I had a friend go there.  Gonzaga, not so much.  Western is super liberal-artsy-hippie school in general, but their Newman Center is fan-freaking-tastic.  There aren't very many good Catholic schools in the northwest, there are a lot more back east.  You're better off moving out of state (I'm a graduate of Mount St. Mary's in Maryland, loved my time there), or majoring in something like history or a language or something useful and just getting involved with your Newman Center if you stay in-state.  Employers seem to value experience over formal education most of the time.

 

If you want a Master's in theology, you can major in philosophy (at a catholic school, not a liberal school, their departments usually aren't great), english, history, a foreign language, etc.  I'm the only former theology major in my Master's program for my year.   

 

Edit: Also, most people do their MA at a different school, depending on where they get a graduate assistantship or something like that.  

 

Can you give a little more information about St. Martins? In what areas are they good and where do they depart from orthodoxy? I agree that going out of state will probably be best. I'm just worried about finances; if I knew that I could have everything paid for I'd do it in an instant.

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Sorry double post.

Edited July 10, 2013 by Poorly Catechized Convert

[CatherineM]

If you want to do this, my best recommendation is to not go into debt. The kinds of jobs you want, rarely pay a living wage or much beyond it. Private schools aren't cheap. Even if you get funding for half your tuition, half of a lot is still a lot.

[Socrates]

Christendom College.

[Basilisa Marie]

 

 

Can you give a little more information about St. Martins? In what areas are they good and where do they depart from orthodoxy? I agree that going out of state will probably be best. I'm just worried about finances; if I knew that I could have everything paid for I'd do it in an instant.

 

It's a religious studies department, which usually means that they include other religions in their department.  My friend who went there played baseball, and didn't major in religion, but he was very involved with the Campus Ministry and I know he was a solid Catholic. I don't think they're hostile to solid Catholic teaching, but it's not something you get automatically.  They don't have graduate degrees in religious studies, so it's probably not a major department.  

From what I've gathered, it sounds like you're looking for some serious formation and information on what the Church teaching on a bunch of things, rather than looking to dialogue with others because you already have a solid foundation.  So I'd recommend any of the schools in the Newman Guide, because you're guaranteed to get some solid catechesis there. :)  Just make sure you compare the student life information between the schools.  There's definitely a wide range of personalities between the schools in the guide (which is a good thing! People look for different things in their college experience!).  I know I probably wouldn't have been happy at someplace like Christendom with a strict code of conduct or a super tiny school like Magdalene (check it out! I have a classmate who went there and he liked it!), but I was able to find one that fit what I wanted and needed.  

OR, you might just be better off going to a state school, getting super involved with the Catholic branch of Campus Ministry, find someone solid to be your spiritual director or confessor, and you'll often learn a lot more and mature a lot more in your faith than you might have if you went to a Catholic school. THEN you could apply to a Catholic MA program for theology, if that's what you want to do. A Catholic school can be an invaluable opportunity to be immersed in your faith and have lots of ways to practice it, but for other people it might be easy for them to get lazy and lukewarm. It just depends on what you think you need.  

[Oremoose]

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask this considering my other questions, but I kind of need to. So I have had a desire to major in theology and work with either a Catholic apostolate or as a theology teacher. Which Catholic colleges would be best to obtain such a degree? Are there any in Washington state, or in a nearby state? I'm fine going out of state, but staying in state would be easier, although I think most are quite liberal. Also, I'm fine with getting my bachelor's and masters degree at separate schools.

 

Thanks; I've been trying to research this on my own, but have had little success.

 

Not to rain on the parade here, but I would like to ask you to keep praying about this desire to study Theology.

I know a good handful of people who are studying for a theology for no real purpose. They say they might teach or write or consult etc.That is all well and good, and we need people to be theologians. On the other hand being a Theologian (like everything else) is a vocation, a calling. I get frazzled by Catholics that seem to feel like they need a degree in theology to be a good Catholic. That does not mean you should not go to a good Catholic College and take some Theology classes (and even some Philosophy classes for the sake of JPII and you will need it).

So carry on looking at colleges find a good one but please heed my prayer...Pray and pray hard to see that this is not just a passion and it is also your vocation. 

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I will keep praying about this and I have, quite a bit. Going this route will require me to undo a lot of what I have already done and so making a wrong decision terrifies me. Also, I know that if this isn't my vocation, then I won't be as effective as I should be. I don't want to serve God in a manner that's any less than my best and so I want to ensure that I make the decision He wants me to make. Thanks for the reminder to pray, it is very important and something that I cannot forget. 

[Tufsoles]

I suggest Stubie or Regis U in Denver. I have heard quite few complaints about UD's program but I think it is the exception and not the rule. I would suggest do your research and talk to actual Theo students from the colleges you are thinking about. Then talk to some grads from the program if you can get hold of them.

[Brother Adam]

I agree with discernment. If you are called to work as a catechist or theologian you will be miserable doing anything else. If you aren't, you will be miserable working in the field. I wouldn't be overly scared of the debt if you are called to this work, I went to Franciscan and have a small mountain of debt, but I do not regret it. Then I am comfortable living a very meager lifestyle with my family. However if you can avoid it, do whatever you can to do so.

[Chestertonian]

I'm from Washington State too. I really like Gonzaga and am considering going there to get my PhD. I've went to mass there on several occasions and know lots of Catholics who've went there and they all really liked it.

[PhuturePriest]

I second Benedictine. It was rated as one of the top ten Catholic colleges in the country. It's a beautiful college and everyone there is rock solid on Church teaching. If you needed anymore convincing, they even have a really cool-looking Abbey on campus.

 

I would reconsider your theology degree, though. It is very difficult to find any sort of job in theology, and when you do, it's hard to find one that actually pays decently. With the expense of college, you need a degree that justifies the debt. I'm looking into civil engineering because it's one of the most solid majors of choice in the country right now, and I plan to go to Benedictine. I would never consider going if my degree was going to be theology, however, as college is expensive, and a degree in theology cannot be financially justified unless your parents are going to pay the whole way through.