University of Saint Mary of the Lake

 The first cycle of theological studies is a three-year introduction to the study of theology in the Roman Catholic tradition leading to the Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), which is offered at University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary under the auspices of and accredited by the Congregation for Catholic Education. The S.T.B. represents ecclesial certification that a person has studied and is knowledgeable in all the major areas of Catholic theology. Students demonstrate their general mastery of theology in a comprehensive examination at the end of the course of studies. Appendix One of the latest Bulletin of the Ecclesiastical Faculty lists the topics and areas which are to be mastered by candidates in preparation for the S.T.B. examination. The Bulletin is available from the Registrar’s Office.

The courses of the first cycle are offered in close collaboration with the M. Div. program of Mundelein Seminary. The program of studies is listed below. Further information on these courses may be found in the latest Catalog of Mundelein Seminary, available from the Registrar.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE S.T.B. PROGRAM

1. The Baccalaureate (or “Bachelor’s”) degree in theology is open to all qualified students. All applicants must possess an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Their undergraduate program must have included twelve semester hours of theological or religious studies and thirty semester hours of philosophical studies oriented toward Catholic theology, including: an introduction to philosophical questions and method, medieval philosophy, modern or contemporary philosophy, and introductions to the Old and New Testaments. Applicants must submit transcripts of their undergraduate and post-college academic work, an essay on intellectual interests and reasons for pursuing the degree, and two letters of recommendation from teachers in theology or philosophy.

2. Candidates should complete their coursework maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 ordinarily with no grade lower than B. The comprehensive examination will normally be completed at the end of third year.

3. A student passes the S.T.B. comprehensive exam by earning at least a B (85-92/100) average based on the average of the grades given for each question. Passing “with distinction” means each question received a grade of 95/100 or higher. A student fails the exam if one question receives a failing grade (0-76/100). Those who fail the examination may retake the exam once. They are tested in the area(s) in which they failed.

4. Application forms for the S.T.B are available from the Office of the Registrar and must be approved by the President of the Pontifical Faculty.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES FOR THE S.T.B.

The program of studies for students in the S.T.B. program is as follows:

A. Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation
1. Pentateuch
2. Johannine Literature
3. Introduction to St. Paul
4. Synoptic Gospels
5. Issues in Pauline Theology (2 hours)
6. Prophets
7. Wisdom/Psalms (2 hours)

B. Systematic Theology
8. Fundamental Theology: Revelation
9. Christology
10. God: One and Three
11. Christian Anthropology
12. Ecclesiology
13. Holy Eucharist
14. Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
15. Issues in Christology
16. Sacraments of Initiation
17. Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
18. Holy Orders

C. Christian Life
19. Christian Principles
20. Introduction to Spiritual Theology
21. Special Moral I
22. Special Moral II
23. Special Moral III
24. Special Moral IV
25. Canon Law I
26. Canon Law II
27. Issues in Spiritual Theology

D. Church History
28. Early Christian Life and Thought
29. Medieval Church History (2 hours)
30. Reformation and Catholic Response (2 hours)
31. Modern Church History
32. American Church History

E. Worship
33. History of the Eucharist (Worship I)
34. Music in the Liturgy (Worship II)
35. Comprehensive Exam

Total number of courses (including Comprehensive Exam): 35

Total number of quarter hours: 101
31 3-hour courses
4 2-hour courses
101 quarter hours (= 66.5 semester hours)

POLICY FOR GRADING AND GPA

The teacher of each course, whether required or elective, grades the student's achievement in the course through whatever means the teacher deems suitable, including written or oral examinations, class presentations, term papers or other appropriate measures. The Pontifical Faculty of Theology uses the letter scale as its grading system: A, B+, B, C+, C, F [and in some instances, P for “Pass”]. A fuller description of these grades can be found in the latest Catalog of Mundelein Seminary.

TOPICS FOR THE STB COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION