Program Overview
Interested in the 7 themes of Catholic Social Teaching or always wondered how to integrate social justice with your love for the Catholic Church? Get your master’s degree in Theology with a concentration in Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic International’s graduate programs are ranked best by Forbes magazine, so you know you’re getting a rigorous academic experience taught by top-tier faculty. You’ll get a full online Catholic International master’s in Theology degree while focusing intently on the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching:
- Life and dignity of the human person
- Call to family, community, and participation
- Rights and responsibilities
- Option for the poor and vulnerable
- The dignity of work and the rights of workers
- Solidarity
- Care for God’s creation
The master’s in theology with a concentration in Catholic Social Teaching is a great option if you’d like to teach, serve in parish or diocesan leadership, work in the non-profit sector, grow personally and professionally, or just expand your heart for creating a more just society.
Course Lists
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| THEO 503 | The Catholic Theological Tradition | 3 |
| THEO 510 | Revelation and Faith: Fundamental Theology | 3 |
| THEO 541 | Theology of Church | 3 |
| THEO 552 | Sacraments and Liturgy | 3 |
| THEO 560 | Fundamental Moral Theology | 3 |
| THEO 632 | Christology | 3 |
| PHIL 508 | Philosophy for Theology | 3 |
| SCRPT 530 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 |
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
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 |
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CST 550 | Rome Summer Institute | 3 |
| CST 560 | Practicum | 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.
Learn More About Catholic Social Thought
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.
