Intellectual Dimension
The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Pre-Theology program comprises two years of philosophical studies combined with languages and theology. The fifth addition of the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) specifies that a man satisfies 30 credit hours of philosophy and has a basis in Latin and Greek in addition to Spanish (6 hours of Latin, 6 hours of Greek, 6 hours of Spanish). Eighteen credit hours of theology are also recommended by the PPF. All of these credit hours are undergraduate credit hours.
PRE-THEOLOGY I FALL
LAT 507
Ecclesiastical Latin I
PHL 509
Ancient Philosophy
PHL 515
Logic
THL 501
Practical Theological Concepts
THL 505
History Of Christian Spirituality
PRE-THEOLOGY I SPRING
PTH 502
Ecclesiastical Latin II
PHL 517
Medieval Philosophy
PHL 511
Epistemology
THL 502
Introduction to Dogmatic Theology
THL 506
Church Communications
PHL
(Elective)
PRE-THEOLOGY II FALL
GRK 507
Biblical Greek I
PHL 501
Philosophy of the Human Person
PHL 512
Metaphysics
PHL 518
Modern Philosophy
SPA 501
Basic Spanish I
PRE-THEOLOGY II SPRING
PHL 519
Contemporary Philosophy
GRK 508
Biblical Greek II
PHL 502
Ethics
PHL 516
Natural Theology
THL 507
Introduction to Liturgy
SPA 502
Basic Spanish II
Download a Philosophical Studies pamphlet
MAPS Program
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary offers a two-year graduate level program in Philosophical Studies. This program enables seminarians enrolled in the Pre-Theology Program an opportunity for advanced study of philosophy. The Master of Arts (Philosophical Studies), or MAPS, is designed for the Pre-Theology seminarian who seeks philosophical formation, at the graduate level, while also fulfilling the philosophy prerequisites for admission into the Theological Seminary as articulated in the Program for Priestly Formation – 5th Edition.
The MAPS degree program is intended to satisfy the PPF, 5th Edition philosophy prerequisites for the Pre-Theology program and is intended only for Pre-Theology seminarians at SCBS. While Pre-Theology seminarians need not enroll in or complete the MAPS program in order to fulfill the requirements for the Pre-Theology program, the MAPS program can serve those seminarians who seek philosophical studies at the graduate level.
Description
The MAPS program for Pre-Theology seminarians requires a total of 36 graduate credits in philosophy coursework as well as comprehensive oral and written examinations in philosophy.
- The MAPS program satisfies the philosophy prerequisites for entrance into theology studies as outlined in the Program for Priestly Formation – 5th Edition.
- Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is fully accredited by the Association for Theological Schools and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Educational Goals:
- Analyze the role of the Western philosophical tradition in the development and articulation of Christian theology, as well as the role of philosophy in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
- Demonstrate proficiency in logic, including syllogistic logic, and philosophical argumentation.
- Interpret, analyze and synthesize advanced philosophical texts and materials.
- Demonstrate synthesis and critical analysis of the history of philosophy and of the major topic areas in philosophical inquiry.
- Demonstrate facility with philosophical research and argumentation, both oral and written.
- Analyze the role of the Western philosophical tradition in the development and articulation of Christian theology, as well as the role of philosophy in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts (Philosophical Studies) requires 30 credits in core courses, 6 credits in elective courses, and both oral and written comprehensive examinations.
The structure of the MAPS program is as follows:
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
History of Philosophy (12 Credits)
Ancient Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, and Contemporary Philosophy
Metaphysics (6 Credits)
Metaphysics, Natural Theology
Philosophical Anthropology and Other Courses (12 Credits)
Philosophy of The Human Person, Ethics, Epistemology, Logic
Elective Courses (6 Credits)
Select Offerings
Sequence of Courses (M.A.P.S. Degree):
The sequence of courses is as follows:
PRE-THEOLOGY I - Fall Semester
PHL 509
Ancient Philosophy
PHL 515
Logic
PRE-THEOLOGY I - Spring Semester
PHL 517
Medieval Philosophy
PHL 511
Epistemology
PHL
Elective
PRE-THEOLOGY II - Fall Semester
PHL 501
Philosophy Of The Human Person
PHL 518
Modern Philosophy
PHL 512
Metaphysics
PHL
Elective
PRE-THEOLOGY II - Spring Semester
PHL 502
Ethics
PHL 519
Contemporary Philosophy
PHL 516
Natural Theology
PHL
Elective
Oral and Written Comprehensive Examinations
Admission
To be eligible to seek the MAPS degree, students must be enrolled as Pre-Theology seminarians, subject to the requirements of the Pre-Theology program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. In addition, students must:
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Demonstrate evidence of academic ability (this requirement is normally met by an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher)
- Gain the permission of the Program Director who will consult with the Vice Rector for the College, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the respective Vocation Director.
For more information about the MAPS program or to apply, please contact:
Reverend Patrick J. Brady, Vice Rector for the College
Tel: (610) 785-6520
Email: pbrady@scs.edu
James M. Despres, Ph.D. MAPS Program Director
Tel: (610) 785-6526
Email: jdespres@scs.edu
