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Undergraduate

Theology

Whether you are interested in studying moral theology or the principles of Catholic social teaching, you will receive the widest perspectives and deepest insights into living a life in pursuit of happiness as defined by the call of God.

By exposing you to ideas that expand your way of thinking and challenge you to see the world in new ways, Assumption’s theology program provides valuable and distinctive dimensions to an Assumption liberal arts education.

You’ll learn about the human experience and explore the role of faith and reason in the search for truth, and find out more about yourself in the process. While courses in philosophy and theology are required for all Assumption students, many decide to add one or the other as a minor or another major.

With faculty and your peers, you’ll grapple with profound questions surrounding the human condition and examine contemporary issues of ethics, law, and science. You’ll address the complex relationship between religion and social order. And you’ll gain a deeper understanding of God’s relation to each of us and to our world.

Theology is the intellectual exercise of faith seeking understanding. As an academic discipline, theology seeks to understand God and God’s relation to human beings and the world human beings inhabit. Informed by an understanding of theology that traces its roots back to St. Augustine, the Department of Theology invites students and faculty to engage in a dialectical investigation of the Catholic theological tradition and to reflect on this tradition’s ongoing engagement with other theological traditions and other disciplines’ distinctive claims to human knowledge. As part of its mission, the department of theology is deeply committed to bringing contemporary theological reflections into genuine dialogue with the various intellectual, political, and spiritual currents of thought that have shaped, and continue to shape our modern world.

With strong analytical and communication skills and the ambition to seek truth in all things, Assumption theology students are well prepared for careers in virtually any field.

Most students who major in theology also have another major as a career interest. While some go on to graduate programs in philosophy or theology, many pursue law and political science or enter directly into careers in such fields as education, counseling, business, government, and ministry.

Whether you are interested in studying moral theology or the principles of Catholic social teaching, you will receive the widest perspectives and deepest insights into living a life in pursuit of happiness as defined by the call of God.

The Theology program at Assumption University will Equip you to:

  • Think critically both in writing and in class discussion
  • Understand the inner logic of Christian doctrine
  • Understand theology’s relationship to other academic disciplines
  • Understand the differences among theological perspectives

Learning Goals of the Major in Theology

  • Understanding the relation of Catholic theology to fundamental enduring human concerns
  • Understanding Catholic theology’s basic theological relation to other theological traditions Reading theological texts closely and carefully in context
  • Writing clearly, insightfully, and in a well-ordered manner
  • Communicating persuasively in discussion and in writing
Program Contact

Ty Monroe, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Theology, Department Chair, Theology

Events

Apr 06
2024
Department of Art & Music Student Recital
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Chapel of the Holy Spirit

An Ideal Place To Learn

100%
All classes taught by professors, none by teaching assistants
Students from 29 states and 21 countries
11:1
Student/Faculty ratio

Program Curriculum

  • The theology major introduces you to the rich, variegated, and continuing tradition of Christian and Catholic theological reflection. Examining the enduring and irreducible theological questions that human beings are inescapably led to ask about their origins and end, the Major in Theology systematically introduces students to the Biblical and theoretical foundations of theology’s distinctive exercise in faith seeking understanding. The major prepares you for graduate work in academic theology and provides the educational background and foundation needed to pursue a career as a director of religious education or an elementary or high school teacher of religion.

    Theology majors take a minimum of 10 courses. Beginning with a strong foundation in biblical study, the major offers courses in perennial topics and questions of Christian theology, as well as courses dealing with issues central to the encounter of Christian faith and contemporary culture. Theology majors often choose to double major in another area, such as philosophy or a foreign language.

    Required Courses for Major

    The requirements for the major consist of eleven courses, distributed as follows from among the offerings of the Theology Department:

    THE 100 Introduction to Theology. This course is required of all students as the first theology course in the core curriculum.

    One 150-level theology course. This course is required by all students as part of the core curriculum.

    One of the following second-level theology courses
    THE 202 Moral Theology
    THE 203 The Early Church
    THE 204 Catholicism Today
    THE 207 Christ, Yesterday and Today

    Six courses selected from the department’s upper-level course offerings

    Two additional courses from any of the Theology Department’s offerings, THE250 or higher

    Electives
    THE 201 The Problem of God
    THE 202 Moral Theology
    THE 203 The Early Church
    THE 204 Catholicism Today
    THE 205-206 Foundations: Religion and Philosophy
    THE 207 Christ, Yesterday and Today
    THE 265 Introduction to Peace Studies
    THE 313 The Prophets of Israel
    THE 314 Wisdom and Psalms of Israel
    THE 321 Matthew, Mark, Luke
    THE 322 The Letters of Paul
    THE 323 John’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation
    THE 334 The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ
    THE 341 Moral Issues in Medicine
    THE 342 Theology of Human Sexuality
    THE 343 The Social Teachings of the Church
    THE 352 Medieval Christian Writers
    THE 371 Religion and Modernity
    THE 372 Religious Thinkers of the 20th Century
    THE 374 Theology and Literature
    THE 383 Asian Traditions
    THE 391 Special Topics in Theology
    THE 499 Independent Study (offered to highly qualified students when warranted)

    Course Descriptions

  • The theology minor broadens your educational and theoretical background and enables you to see how your major field of study relates to the universal claims made by reason and revelation.

    The theology minor is composed of 6 courses with numerous options for students to choose which courses best suit their interests in the discipline. Students considering a minor in theology are urged to discuss their course choices with a member of the Theology Department faculty.

    Required Courses
    THE 100 The Bible

    Two 200 level courses from the department’s offerings

    Two 300 or 400 level courses from the department’s offerings

    One additional course from the department’s offerings

    Electives
    THE 201 The Problem of God
    THE 202 Moral Theology
    THE 203 The Early Church
    THE 204 Catholicism Today
    THE 205-206 Foundations: Religion and Philosophy
    THE 207 Christ, Yesterday and Today
    THE 265 Introduction to Peace Studies
    THE 313 The Prophets of Israel
    THE 314 Wisdom and Psalms of Israel
    THE 321 Matthew, Mark, Luke
    THE 322 The Letters of Paul
    THE 323 John’s Gospel and the Book of Revelation
    THE 334 The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ
    THE 341 Moral Issues in Medicine
    THE 342 Theology of Human Sexuality
    THE 343 The Social Teachings of the Church
    THE 352 Medieval Christian Writers
    THE 371 Religion and Modernity
    THE 372 Religious Thinkers of the 20th Century
    THE 374 Theology and Literature
    THE 383 Asian Traditions

    Course Descriptions

Faculty

Ty Monroe, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Theology Associate Professor of Theology Department Chair, Theology
Matthew C. Briel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rachel M. Coleman
Assistant Professor of Theology
Fr. Roger R. Corriveau A.A., Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology
David Dawson Vasquez
Adjunct Faculty
Thomas Medford Elbourn III
Adjunct Faculty
Douglas Finn
Assistant Professor of Theology
Marc D. Guerra, Ph.D
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Professor of Theology
Christopher P. Klofft, S.T.D
Associate Professor of Theology
Marc A. LePain, Ph.D
Adjunct Faculty Professor Emeritus
Timothy Troutner
Visiting Assistant Instructor

Experiential Learning

Assumption's Rome Campus

At Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy, the city and the country become your classroom through daily and weekend-long excursions throughout "the eternal city" and the Italian countryside. This unique study abroad experience will enrich your academic and cultural pursuits as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators then enjoy delectable Italian cuisine or perhaps a cappuccino after class in a local cafe. (Did you know that your financial aid follows you to Rome?)

Explore the Rome Campus

Learn the Skills Employers Seek

Faculty/Student Research

The Assumption curriculum encourages scholarly and real-world experience. With hands-on research conducted alongside faculty mentors, students gain a depth of knowledge and skills that lead to professional success and personal fulfillment.

Study Abroad

At Assumption University, the world is your classroom. Students can study and explore abroad in over 50 places from Vienna to England, South Africa, and even our own campus in historic, yet modern, Rome, Italy. Assumption’s study abroad program offers culture, history, and a living classroom for all.

Internships

Assumption starts planning for your future the day you arrive on campus. Our Career Development and Internship Center helps students secure exciting and fulfilling internships where you’ll apply knowledge obtained in the classroom in a professional setting, preparing for a future career or additional study. Assumption connects students to internship opportunities in corporations, government agencies, research hospitals, non-profit organizations, and more.


Career Paths

The skills developed by Assumption theology graduates are sought by a number of employers.

JRH Asset Management

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Mercator Software, Inc.

Nashua High School

First-rate Academics in a Catholic University Setting

Assumption University awakens in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. Students are provided an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. Enlivened by the harmony of faith and reason, here, students’ minds and hearts are transformed.


Assumption is dedicated to providing a clear understanding of what your education will cost

We’ll help cut through the complexity of financing your education, ensuring you understand what you need, how to apply for aid, and what’s expected of you. You will be assigned a personal financial aid advisor who will guide you through the process and answer all of your financial aid-related questions.

Pathway to success


Careers and Graduate Schools

There is an interesting array of career opportunities in education – both religious and secular – and from elementary school to college, directors of religious organizations, nonprofit or charity organizations, pastoral or secular counseling, and in numerous other organizations and ministries for theology graduates. Students are also well equipped to pursue a graduate degree in theology or in other fields, including philosophy or political science. Theology graduates have been hired to serve as counselors, educators, ministers, religious advisors and more. Many theology graduates pursue additional studies at institutions such as Boston College, The Catholic University of America, Hartford College for Women and Providence College.


Boston 25 Explores Celebrity-endorsed Faith Groups with Assumption Theology Professor

Assumption Associate Professor of Theology, Christopher Kloftt spoke with Boston 25 News on the impact of celebrities generating interest in new faith communities. View the story

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