Franciscan University Thread

[Lilllabettt]

Must-reading for future grad students thinking of Franciscan:  http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/92412-franciscan-university-thread/

[PhuturePriest]

Must-reading for future grad students thinking of Franciscan:  http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/92412-franciscan-university-thread/

 

So we're supposed to take the word of one person and accept it as fact?

[the171]

So we're supposed to take the word of one person and accept it as fact?

 

it's actually quite a few people in that thread, bro.

 

FUS and BC are great. I hope I didn't give the impression that they were crap universities.

[Basilisa Marie]

If you're going into higher ed theology, take some philosophy classes. It'll help you get in the habit of reading dense texts. It's not that FUS is a bad school - it's a great school! It's just that it's really good at the ministry and catechetics side of theology, not necessarily the academia side.  Please don't think that saying a school isn't great for a career in higher ed means that the education you'd get is sub par. It just means that it has a different focus. 

Edited February 6, 2014 by Basilisa Marie

[PhuturePriest]

it's actually quite a few people in that thread, bro.

 

FUS and BC are great. I hope I didn't give the impression that they were croutons universities.

 

If it makes anyone feel better, if I go to Franciscan or Benedictine, I'll be getting a double-major with theology and something like biology.

[Slappo]

To be fair, you are biased in saying it's academically superior, seeing as how you went there. :P I can assure you, getting good grades in a class run by Scott Hahn is no cake-walk. He strikes me as the type of guy that expects a lot more out of students than most professors might.

 

I took a class with him. It was 1. boring and 2. easy. Oh... and 3. I really didn't learn that much from it.

 

I'm dead serious.

[PhuturePriest]

I took a class with him. It was 1. boring and 2. easy. Oh... and 3. I really didn't learn that much from it.

 

I'm dead serious.

 

[Slappo]

This implies that Franciscan is not "in every way" orthodox, whether that was intended or not.

You're cray cray.

 

That implies that although Franciscan is in every way orthodox, other rigorous Catholic universities are as well...

[Slappo]

A Catholic college is expected to tout charity as a golden rule, as well as academic and spiritual excellence. I've never once heard a student from Benedictine, Franciscan, or any other Catholic college, speak badly about another Catholic college, and that includes the University of Dallas. You can like the University of Dallas and prefer it. You don't have to be snobby and call Franciscan "Stupidville" just because you're convinced your college has better academic excellence.

You've never actually GONE to Franciscan. You don't think Franciscan students talk badly about other schools? They talk smack about Ave Maria and Christendom, and I can absolutely guarantee you they talk smack about Notre Dame, Gonzaga, and other less reputable in the orthodox department Catholic schools.

 

I know... I was there, and I listened in on the conversations.

[Slappo]

I have never heard this, but then again, I'm only a sophomore (by year, senior by credit). This is disturbing to me, as I'm looking to get my doctorate in Theology. 

 

Just don't get your Master's in Theology at FUS if you're looking into a doctorate program. The Master's program really isn't "all that" for a graduate program. It's pretty much the same professors too.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Slappo

[Brother Adam]

Just don't get your Master's in Theology at FUS if you're looking into a doctorate program. The Master's program really isn't "all that" for a graduate program. It's pretty much the same professors too.

 

I went to FUS for my undergrad and grad because I have no intention of getting a doctorate. You can get your MA and go on to a doctoral program, but you are going to need to be strategic in the classes you take. You do not have to take Greek, Hebrew, or Latin in the MA program. Take them anyway. Take lots of philosophy. Go above and beyond what they require. They are getting more rigorous though.

 

They are training people to go into ministry in the Church, and for that, they are one of the best schools in the nation. These are not "pastoral" degrees and they are not easy, but you can try and skate through and take easy classes. I wouldn't recommend doing that though for what you are paying for it. Always try to take the most challenging classes you can. It is academically excellent, but it is not the same level as say, Marquette, UND, or Fordham. If you want to go into scholarship, become a professor, and do research the rest of your life, FUS is not the first school I would recommend. You can do it though.

[PhuturePriest]

You're cray cray.

 

That implies that although Franciscan is in every way orthodox, other rigorous Catholic universities are as well...

 

Indeed. I read it wrong. It happens.

 

I was admittedly flustered that people were attacking Franciscan when this is a thread about Franciscan. It's kind of rude to say "Don't go to Stupidville, go to University of Dallas!" when this isn't a thread asking where I should go to college, but specific questions about campus life and debt at Franciscan. If I wanted people's opinions on where I should go to college, I would ask for it.

[Deus te Amat]

FP, as the resident UDer, I would like to point out that I said that I didn't think you'd fit well at UD. I'm pretty sure everyone else was advising you to consider it because it is an amazing school.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Deus_te_Amat

[Deus te Amat]

Side note: DtA... weren't you the one who entered a convent? Or am I thinking of another Phatmasser? I don't wanna derail the thread, so you don't have to explain or anything... just let me know if I'm crazy or not, lol. :P

 

You're not crazy. I entered. I left. It happens.

[tinytherese]

One point here about going to JC's for two years first. I'd check with the school and make sure they are onboard with this. Many of these schools are very big on their core classes and since they are usually classical subjects and texts you can't always find their equivalent at a JC, nor will a JC have you prepared for their upper-level courses. I know this is the case for UD and for some other classical liberal arts programs.

I definitely found that to be true. A lot of schools on the Newman Guide have core classes that can't be found at many schools. That means that transfers often have to graduate later than expected.

If you want to major in theology, I recommend either going all four years to the school. Not only would you be more likely to graduate on time, but you can find out if you really do want to study theology.

During your time at a community college or whatever other school you'd go to for the first two years, the only theology classes you'll be able to take are in world religions. Then when you transfer to studying just Catholic theology, it's a whole new world.

Also, make sure that you really want to have a career in theology. Job shadow, do internships, and ask people in the field of catechesis or ministry in depth questions about what their careers are like, including the negative aspects.

If you think that you want to teach theology in a Catholic high school, make sure that you take education classes, especially on classroom management and either student teach or get an internship teaching. I found out late in my college career just how tough it is to keep students behaved and focused on learning. You also might have students with learning disabilities or other special needs, so take a class on that too.