Program Overview
- Provides the education that parishes, priests, deacons, and lay leaders need to put CST into practice in ministries of charity that have the power to transform lives and engage parishioners in doing God’s work through corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Program Goals
- Demonstrate an understanding of the sources of CST
- Identify and explain the principles of CST as developed in key magisterial documents
- Integrate the principles of CST in discussion and analysis of contemporary social issues
- Apply knowledge of CST to identify and respond to the ministerial needs of specific constituencies
Course Lists
Students will earn a total of nine credits from the following selection of courses:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CST 500 | Foundations of Catholic Social Thought | 3 |
| CST 510 | Social Doctrine of the Church, 1891-1965 | 3 |
| CST 520 | Catholic Social Teaching: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis | 3 |
| CST 550 | Rome Summer Institute (Under development) | 3 |
| CST 560 | Practicum (Under development) | 3 |
A series of 1-credit, 4-week “pop-up” courses will offer an integrated approach to timely social and political issues such as the death penalty, immigration, human trafficking, gender identity, incarceration, the death penalty, the environment, marriage and family, business, and the common good. Credits from these courses can be applied toward the certificate.
THE CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL ADVANTAGE
In a 2022 survey of Catholic International graduate students, 100% reported that they had achieved their learning goals.
Catholic International Offers:
- Authentic Catholic teaching
- Flexibility to study where and when you choose
- The lowest undergraduate tuition of any U.S.-based online university offering Catholic theology
- A global Catholic community
- Knowledgeable and accessible faculty
- Engaging online courses with discussion forums
- Mobile app for study on the go
- Online library staffed by a theological librarian
- 24/7 technical support
The certificate program is offered through the Graduate School of Theology, which is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Catholic International Graduate School of Theology aims to provide a transformative learning experience in the digital space and to develop leaders for the new evangelization in the 21st century.
