This program offers a comprehensive, collegiate-level understanding of the Catholic faith, fostering both competency and confidence in the Church’s essential teachings. Grounded in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the documents of the Magisterium, the curriculum places special emphasis on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Documents of the Second Vatican Council. Students can further enrich their studies by choosing a minor in History, Philosophy, or Sacred Scripture, tailoring their academic experience to their personal interests and vocational goals.
Catholic International generously accepts transfer credits from other institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Most students meet the general education requirements through a combination of transfer credit and by taking courses at Catholic International.
The general education requirements enhance the study of theology while fulfilling a broad, liberal arts education and stimulate a desire for lifelong learning, wonder, and the courage to live an authentic Christian life in and through specific vocational paths and in our common vocation as human persons.
The requirements reflect an ongoing commitment to academic excellence, the unity of all truth, and the integration of faith and reason. Grounded in the Western intellectual tradition and Ex corde ecclesiae, the curriculum introduces students to the fundamental knowledge, authors, and diverse learning experiences needed to become well-educated Catholics and beacons of light and truth in a rich, diverse global society.
General education courses ensure that students cultivate the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that are essential in every field of study. To learn more, view the General Education Outcomes.
Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
English Language Arts | 9 credit hours |
Humanities/Social Sciences (i.e., history, sociology, economics, political science, art, music, scripture, theology) additional scripture or theology courses not used for the major can be taken through Catholic International | 24 credit hours |
Natural Sciences (i.e., biology, chemistry, physics, geology) | 6 credit hours |
Mathematics/Computer Science (i.e., mathematics, statistics, computer usage) | 6 credit hours |
Classical or Modern Languages | 6 credit hours |
Philosophy | 12 credit hours |
Electives | 18 credit hours |
General education/elective credits must be at the 100 level or higher and one must have received a grade of 2.0 (C) or higher from an accredited institution. Experiential credit cannot be used in place of academic credit.
General education/elective credits may also be fulfilled via the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Subject standardized Testing (DSST).
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SCRPT 210 | Reading Scripture Theologically | 3 credit hours |
SCRPT 230 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 credit hours |
THEO 204 | Foundations of Catholicism | 3 credit hours |
THEO 213 | God, Man, and the Universe | 3 credit hours |
THEO 232 | Jesus Christ: God, Man, and Savior | 3 credit hours |
THEO 253 | Sacraments: Masterworks of God | 3 credit hours |
THEO 268 | Principles of Moral Theology | 3 credit hours |
THEO 343 | Vatical II: The Church and Her Liturgy | 3 credit hours |
*Students who have already studied Catechism I and II at the AA Level are exempt from taking THEO 204. These students are required to take three additional elective credits. Theology Electives – 15 credits
Students must complete a total of six undergraduate courses (18 credits) in Philosophy at Catholic International, or two additional courses over and above the existing four-course distribution requirement for the BA.
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHIL 205 | Introduction to Philosophy with Plato and Aristotle | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 235 | Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Person | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 250/THEO 270 | Introduction to Catholic Health Care Ethics | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 260/THEO 280 | Catholic Bioethics I | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 311 | Ethics | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 315 | Metaphysics | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 320 | Modern Philosophy (new in fall 2024) | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 330 | Contemporary Philosophy (new in fall 2024) | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 340 | See for Yourself: An Introduction to Epistemology | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 370 | The Nature of Nature: An Introduction to a Catholic Philosophy of Science | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 421/THEO 419 | Thought of Thomas of Aquinas | 3 credit hours |
A maximum of 3 transfer credits may be applied toward the minor, upon review and approval by Academic Leadership.
To earn the Minor in History, students must complete all six undergraduate courses (18 credits) in History and Church History at CDU.
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
CHIST 214 | Church History I: Early Christians to Middle Ages | 3 credit hours |
CHIST 223 | Church History II: Renaissance to Modern Church | 3 credit hours |
CHIST 244 | History of the Catholic Church in America | 3 credit hours |
HIST 201 | Ancient Civilization | 3 credit hours |
HIST 211 | Christian Civilization | 3 credit hours |
HIST 221 | A Global Civilization | 3 credit hours |
A maximum of 3 transfer credits may be applied toward the minor, upon review and approval by Academic Leadership.
To earn the Minor in Sacred Scripture, students must complete six of the following undergraduate courses (18 credits) at CDU.
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SCRPT 210 | Reading Scripture Theologically | 3 credit hours |
SCRPT 230 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 credit hours |
SCRPT 370 | The Letter to the Romans | 3 credit hours |
SCRPT 381 | The Gospel of St. John | 3 credit hours |
GREEK 101 | Biblical Greek I | 3 credit hours |
GREEK 201 | Biblical Greek II | 3 credit hours |
GREEK 301 | Advanced Biblical Greek | 3 credit hours |
A maximum of 3 transfer credits may be applied toward the minor, upon review and approval by Academic Leadership.
Catholic International University Provides:
This knowledge offers a framework for addressing social issues through a moral lens, encouraging thoughtful engagement with human rights, economic equity, and environmental stewardship. Delving into these principles enhances your academic experience and develops skills to contribute meaningfully to society.
