Catholic Colleges

[Basilisa Marie]

I think it's also important to note that a whole lot of theology degrees are more concerned with 'doing theology' than with filling up your head with Church teaching.  And that's not necessarily a bad thing - what I mean by "doing" is that more of your work is done in conversation with many theological opinions, and you rarely just ignore controversial ones or ones that are flat out against what the Church teaches.  Like, if you want to talk about why it's important to have a male priesthood, you have to know what people who want women in the priesthood are saying, at the very least so that you can make great arguments against them.  A lot of programs also more or less ignore anything that isn't modern and not from an ecumenical council - you usually aren't going to read a WHOLE lot of Aquinas and Augustine in comparison to authors from the last fifty years (partly because of Vatican II adjusting the way we understand some important things), unless you take a class that specifically addresses them OR get a philosophy minor.  OR the course of study may not be balanced - I have friends who are starting parish jobs and never had to take a class on sacramental theology, all the way through grad school (I know, I was as shocked as you are).  The schools in the Newman Guide are pretty safe from a lot of these problems, but they're important to keep in mind.  

But if you do decide to only go into theology, make sure you try to double major with something else that's different and "useful."  Education is a good one.   The Mount, for example, has a really strong education program and a lot of the graduates of it that I've talked to either minored in theology or are now working at a Catholic school.  I was an arrogant stupid-face in college and didn't listen to a professor who told me to consider getting a Master's in education since I wanted to teach and had already majored in theology.  So I'm now almost done with a theology master's, which although I don't regret, I ended up being a lot more knowledgeable on a lot of fundamental things the whole time (Vatican II documents, basic sacraments things, basic methods of biblical criticism, basic church history, etc).  

TLDR: People should remember that while theology sounds amazing, especially when people like most of us on phatmass talk about it, a lot of times it ends up being different than we expect.  Consider supplementing a theology major with something else, and volunteer to get some experience working in a church as soon as you can.  But if you're already in the middle of a course of study, DON'T switch!  Study on your own and volunteer instead, apply to grad school if you want and to get a grad assistantship, and you can get a graduate degree for minimal extra money. :) 

[Amppax]

I'm on my phone, so I'm not going to quote Basilisa's post, but I agree. I'm a theology history double major (history being the "practical major" lol). I'm hoping to go on and get a doctorate in theology. If you want to work in an apostolate, look into a catechetics degree. Ok I'm done typing on my phone, be back later y'all.

[qfnol31]

There's also Thomas Aquinas College out in California that might be worth a look. I know many people who speak highly of it.

 

I have a bit of experience with the theology thing if you're interested. I've studied it for a little while and have some insights if you're interested. Basilisa Marie said quite a bit of good stuff above-worth a read.

[arfink]

For goodness sakes, don't study Theology as your major unless you know what you're doing and what you will do with it. You can learn that stuff without the ungodly expense of having a degree to back it up.

[tinytherese]

Definitely do volunteer work and internships to see if catechesis and or ministry is right for you (and do it early in your academic career in case you discover that you don't like it.) If you want to work with kids then please learn about classroom management and put it into practice. That was one major deal breaker for me.

 

As was mentioned, a lot of people have a passion for wanting to study theology, but it isn't for everyone. I've learned more about theology on Phatmass than I did in obtaining my B.A. in theology at a school on the Newman Guide. (St. Gregory's University- I don't recommend studying theology there. Few students take up the major and there are few professors and if you have issues with them then it won't be good. Also, fulfilling requirements can be a pain because they're only offered every two years or so or you have to take directed studies courses your senior year.)

[missionseeker]

Ave Maria in Florida is a good school. Also there's one in ND call University of Mary. Seems decent, my sister goes there, but there are some things that my sister has said that make us wonder what's up with the theology there. Of course, she could just not be listening/care, knowing her. (She was surprised that a priest had told her friend's parent that he should not receive communion since his marriage was celebrated(?) in a Mormon church... that's stuff that was covered in Theo 101 at my schools. I can't imagine that it wasn't though. And I know that she was exposed to that teaching growing up... so... idk....) 

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

Don't go to Magdelen College.  I think It's St. Mary magdelen college now or something.  Something about the way they discipline people over there is unhealthy.  I think every female I've known to come out of there has had a serious case of anorexia.  It also happens to be in the town next door to me.  

 

Franciscan can't be praised enough.  Most of my friends went here even my sister.  People freaked out because I didn't go here, or to any college for that matter.   

 

Christendom is good, Kind of what Magdelen wanted to be.  

 

Ave Maria is good and who doesn't like being that close to the ocean in Florida lol.