Graduate Registration

APO 512 – Catholic Apologetics (Karlo Broussard)
This course introduces the student to the art of fulfilling the biblical mandate to cogently and convincingly explain and defend Christian truth, focusing on the “what” and “how” of apologetics to present a compelling defense of the Faith.

APO 540 – The New Atheism (Karlo Broussard)
This course focuses on the nature of New Atheism and its attempt to secure political power in its assault against the Faith.

APO 621 – Climate Science and Catholic Thought (Stacy Trasancos)
This course explores the history, trends, and issues related to the Catholic Church and its use of media for social communications. Students discuss how media is “social” and how it can be used to “introduce people to the life of the Church and help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ” (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for 44th World Communications Day, 2010).

DTH 512 – Spiritual Life in the Classics (Kristina Olsen)
This course studies the great spiritual writers, emphasizing how the beautiful images and concepts in these classics can help us grow in union with God and in our love for those we encounter in friendship, family, work, and mission.

MTH 680 – Marriage & the Theology of the Body (Edward Trendowski)
This course approaches marriage from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II. It explores the practical encounters of life, love, and marriage, introduces Catholic sexual ethics through the work of John Paul II, and examines the significant philosophical thought of Karol Wojtyla in Love and Responsibility and Theology of the Body.

PAS 602 – Fundamentals of Practical Theology (Marianne Siegmund)
Firmly rooted in “scientific theology,” this course seeks to apply the doctrinal truths of the Faith to various pastoral situations confronting today’s minister. Since Sacred Scripture is to “inspire all pastoral work,” this course copiously invokes it (Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini #73).

PAS 621 – Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family (Fr. Gregory Lockwood)
This course explores marriage as a spousal covenant from biblical and traditional perspectives and considers how to minister to families. The primary text is John Paul II’s magisterial document Familiaris Consortio, and the course also addresses modern challenges to marriage.

PAS 671 – Spiritual Direction: Skills and Practice (Fr. Gregory Lockwood)
This course equips participants with technical skills for spiritual direction, enabling them to engage in personal discernment and assist others in both personal and communal discernment regarding personal vocation and decision-making.

PAS 684 – Pastoral Counseling II: Spiritual Diagnosis and Accompaniment (Fr. Gregory Lockwood)This course explores how to diagnose and treat spiritual disorders, as well as how to recognize and address the spiritual dimensions of psychological, relational, and medical problems.

PAS 720 – Nurturing the Domestic Church: Facilitating Authentic Marriage, Family Life, and Spirituality (Edward Trendowski)
This course explores the pastoral minister’s role in facilitating the emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual well-being of couples and families. Special emphasis is given to the building blocks of an authentic and dynamic marriage and family spirituality.

PAS 785 – Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Marianne Siegmund)
This course addresses the meaning of human sexuality, the education and integration of emotion, sexual aberrations, relationship skills, personal freedom skills, sexuality and spirituality, and the connection between human sexuality and eschatology.

PAS 791 Morals and Psychology – (Jeffrey Thompson)
This is a specialized course concerning the mutual influences of reason, mind, will, soul, senses, emotions and experience on moral development, habit, action and virtue. The course draws on relevant classical and contemporary writings in theology, philosophy and psychology.

PAS 805 – Trinity and the Incarnation (John O’Neill)
This course provides a pastoral understanding of two central mysteries of the Catholic Faith: the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Since pastoral ministry involves leading people into communion with Christ, this course focuses on Jesus Christ as the Way to the Father (John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae #5). It also highlights the practical dimensions of living in communion with the Blessed Trinity within family life, pastoral settings, and Church ministries.

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing (Cynthia Gniadek)
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

MTH 680 – Marriage & the Theology of the Body (Edward Trendowski)
This course approaches marriage from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II. It explores the practical encounters of life, love, and marriage, introduces Catholic sexual ethics through the work of John Paul II, and examines the significant philosophical thought of Karol Wojtyla in Love and Responsibility and Theology of the Body.

MTH 841 – Catholic Social Teachings (Marianne Siegmund)
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings using the U.S. Bishops’ document Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions and includes topics therein.

PHE 610 – Ethics (Nathan Metzger)
This course studies the principles of ethics from a Thomistic and phenomenological perspective, including criteria for making moral choices and a refutation of situation ethics. It addresses topics such as social justice, abortion, war and peace, and sexual ethics.

PHE 775 – Political Philosophy (Derya Rix)
This course introduces students to political philosophy through a critical historical study of the most influential works (ancient, medieval, and modern) in the Western tradition. Students will analyze fundamental issues such as justice, law and liberty, power and authority, political equality, human rights, and the relation between Church and state.

PHH 605 – Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (Timothy Smith)
This course covers key figures and themes in Ancient and Medieval philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, the nature of man, education, the ultimate end of human activity, the meaning of life, God, Providence, and faith and reason.

PHH 620 – Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (Randall Colton)
This course provides a historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal modern philosophers from Descartes to Hegel, and principal contemporary philosophers from Kierkegaard to the present.

PHH 651 – Aristotle (John Finley)
This course examines Aristotle as a great thinker, focusing on his insights into human life. Students will engage in close readings of Categories, De Anima, Nicomachean Ethics (selections), and Poetics.

PHS 611 – Logic & Epistemology (Philippe Yates)
This course surveys the twin foundations upon which all philosophy depends—logic and epistemology—relying on Aristotelian insights as developed by the great Christian philosophers of the Middle Ages and further refined in modern and contemporary thought.

PHS 621 – Philosophy of Nature and Metaphysics (Timothy Smith)
This course explores fundamental aspects of the natural world knowable to philosophy and science, including the methodology and limits of both disciplines. It covers Aristotelian metaphysics, presuppositions of metaphysics, substance and essence, and the transition from finite to Infinite Being.

PHS 641 – Reason in the Theology of St. Thomas (Peter Mango)
This course examines St. Thomas Aquinas’s approach to using reason in sacred theology. It applies Aquinas’s third way, as expressed in the Summa Theologica (I, q. 32, a. 1), as a solution to some of the most pressing problems in modern theology.

PHS 657 – Phenomenology (John Finley)
This course introduces phenomenology as a philosophical method, with a focus on the study of human experience.

PHS 660 – Natural Theology (Timothy Smith)
This course examines arguments for the existence of God, His nature, and His relation to the world and humanity.

PHS 741 – St. Thomas Aquinas on Being & Nothingness (Eduardo Bernot)
This course helps students understand the most important metaphysical doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas. It explores reality from Being itself (God) to nothingness (the complete absence of being), primarily through close readings of Aquinas’s primary texts, along with selections from Aristotle and other influential thinkers.

PHS 761 – The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful, & the Ugly (Eduardo Bernot)
This course studies St. Thomas Aquinas’s teachings on good and evil, beauty and ugliness, and their relationship to unity and multiplicity, being and non-being, and truth and error. It also examines their existence within human knowing faculties, appetites, and their relationship to God.

PHS 781 – Thomistic Personalism: Knowledge and Love (Francisco Plaza)
This course demonstrates that personalism can be effectively grounded in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. It presents Thomistic personalism as a framework that successfully addresses all essential issues concerning the human person.

BIE 625 – Catholic Bioethics (Benjamin Parks)
This interdisciplinary course prepares students for pastoral service through an intensive review of the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the sanctity and dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Topics include the most challenging and difficult moral and medical issues in the field of contemporary bioethics.

BIE 651 – Medical Ethics (Peter Mango)
This course begins with the background out of which Catholic Medical Ethics grew, and then explores the modern situation and its failure. The course affirms the contemporaneous need for religious traditions to exercise their appropriate influence in the medical field.

BIE 661 – Biology and Biotechnologies for Bioethicists (Laura Frieboes)
This course focuses on the basic biological principles related to ethical issues such as in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies, embryonic and adult stem cells, artificial contraception, and genetic engineering from the standpoint of the Catholic faith.

CHH 501 – Historical Knowledge and the Human Good (John Bequette)
This course explores the relationship between historical knowledge and human flourishing, both temporally and eternally. It examines key historical events, figures, controversies, and concepts essential for a mature Christian understanding of history and its role in shaping social and eternal life.

CHH 709 – Ecumenical Councils (Matthew Vander Vennet)
This course discusses the Twenty-One Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. It presents their Magisterial Teachings and places each council in its historical context, addressing intellectual, socio-political, and personal influences on conciliar decisions.

CHH 713 – Modern Church History (Alan Fimister)
This course traces Church history from the eve of the Reformation to the present day, covering phases of secularization such as the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the Revolution. It examines how the Church continued to teach, sanctify, and govern during these upheavals.

CHH/DTH 671 – Documents of Vatican II (Fr. Patrick Kassab)
This course introduces the history and content of the Vatican II documents, covering the background of the Council, the nature of the Church, inner spiritual renewal, the Church and the world, and the effects of the Council.

CLA 702 – Canon Law I: General Norms (Philippe Yates)
After an overview of the philosophy, theology, and history of Canon Law, this course covers the general norms of the Code of Canon Law. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system governing the Catholic Church and how to interpret Church laws in ministry and life.

DTH 512 – Spiritual Life in the Classics (Kristina Olsen)
This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers, emphasizing how their insights can help us grow in union with God and deepen our relationships in friendship, family, work, and mission.

DTH 600 – Faith and Revelation (Marianne Siegmund)
This course explores the teachings of the Church on faith and revelation through Magisterial documents and writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Topics include the meaning of Revelation, the relationship between Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, and the nature and mission of theology.

DTH 731 – One and Triune God (Fr. Thomas Crean)
This doctrinal course examines the nature and attributes of God as One and Three, drawing from revelation and reason. The work of St. Thomas Aquinas is used to form a foundation for further theological growth and study.

DTH 751 – Christology (Fr. Yosyp Veresh)
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and the theology of the Incarnation, with particular attention to the development of Christological doctrine and the theology of Thomas Aquinas. Prerequisite: DTH 731 One and Triune God.

DTH 766 – Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church (Fr. Peter Kucer)
This course examines Marian doctrine in scriptural, historical, and modern contexts using infallible statements, Lumen gentium, and post-conciliar documents.

ENG 550 – Advanced Academic Writing (Cynthia Gniadek)
This course prepares students to write clearly at the graduate level, covering stages of designing, drafting, formatting, and revising a research paper. Common writing issues are addressed.

ENG 890 – Summative Evaluation: Comprehensive Exam & Professional Paper (James Gentile)
This course prepares M.A. Theology students for the oral-comprehensive exam in Dogmatic and Moral Theology and guides them in writing a ten-page professional paper in their concentration.

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing (Cynthia Gniadek)
This course walks through the process of producing quality academic research papers, culminating in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

MTH 611 – Fundamental Moral Theology I (John O’Neill)
This course presents fundamental moral principles from the classical Catholic moral tradition, covering topics such as human acts, moral determinants, freedom, sin, moral responsibility, and conscience.

MTH 612 – Fundamental Moral Theology II (Edward Trendowski)
This course examines the nature of moral habit, virtue, and sin, preparing students for moral evaluation and formation in various roles such as priests, religion teachers, and spiritual advisors.

MTH 614 – Theological Virtues (John O’Neill)
This course leads students further in the area of Moral Theology by beginning to treat matters in detail, having already learned the more fundamental and universal principles of morals. The details of moral life treat actions in particular and are ordered according to the virtues. We will be covering the three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, which are at the very heart and center of the Christian life.

MTH 680 – Marriage & the Theology of the Body (Edward Trendowski)
This course explores marriage through the Theology of the Body and Catholic sexual ethics, drawing from St. John Paul II’s *Love and Responsibility* and *Theology of the Body*.

MTH 841 – Catholic Social Teachings (Marianne Siegmund)
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings using the U.S. Bishops’ document *Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions*.

PHS 607 – Perennial Philosophy (Matthew Minerd)
A foundational philosophy course for theology students, this course explores philosophical concepts essential for Catholic theology, covering topics such as metaphysics, anthropology, ethics, and logic.

PHS 741 – St. Thomas Aquinas on Being & Nothingness (Eduardo Bernot)
This course introduces students to Aquinas’ metaphysical doctrines, exploring reality from Being itself (God) to nothingness (complete absence of being).

SAS 561 – Gospel of John (Fr. William Mills)
This course studies the Gospel of John considering its historical, religious, and cultural background, as well as key theological themes.

SAS 571 – Letters of St. Paul (Fr. William Mills)
This course examines the life, mission, and theological themes of St. Paul’s letters, with a focus on Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Romans.

SAS 602 – The Soul of Theology (John Joy)
This course establishes firm principles for interpreting Sacred Scripture and its use in theology and prayer, covering topics such as divine revelation, tradition, magisterium, and biblical inerrancy.

SAS 638 – Torah and Old Testament Historical Books (Matthew Ramage)
This course is a study of the composition, structure, purpose, background, and theological themes of the Torah and historical books of the Bible. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary exegetical approaches to the Old Testament as found in the rich Catholic tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the narrative of salvation history and how the divine pedagogy of God among his people Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

SAS 651 – Synoptic Gospels (Matthew Ramage)
This course explores the stylistic and literary characteristics of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Students study the Synoptic Gospels’ theological, spiritual, and historical background.

SAS 681 – Hebrews (John Joy)
This course teaches the Theology of the Priesthood in the Letter to the Hebrews. The first two modules illuminate the Sitz im Leben, the third is a meditation via lectio divina, and the fourth relates the Priesthood of Jesus Christ to the Priesthood in the Catholic Church.

SAS 714 – Wisdom Books (Nathan Schmiedicke)
This course studies the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Old Testament wisdom books. Students will explore various interpretive approaches—patristic, medieval, and contemporary—within the Catholic intellectual tradition. Key themes include the relationship between wisdom and Torah, the practical instruction wisdom literature offers for seeking God in the face of suffering and death, and Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the wisdom tradition.

SAS 716 – Gospels (Andrew Blaski)
This course studies the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Students will explore patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches within the Catholic tradition, examining the Gospels both individually and as a unified proclamation of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

SAS 717 – Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (Fr. Thomas Crean)This course studies the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, focusing on the birth and growth of the early Church. Students will explore patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretations, analyzing Luke and Acts both individually and as a unified narrative with chronological, literary, and theological continuity.

SAS 718 – St. Paul (Leroy Huizenga)This course examines the life, mission, and writings of St. Paul, focusing on the Pauline epistles (Romans, I-II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I-II Thessalonians, I-II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews). Students will engage with various interpretations—patristic, medieval, and contemporary—within the Catholic intellectual tradition.

SAS 719 – Catholic Epistles and Revelation (Joshua Madden)
This course studies the Catholic Epistles (James, I-II Peter, I, II, III John, Jude) and the Book of Revelation, exploring their composition, themes, and theological significance. Students will engage with patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches within the Catholic tradition.

DTH 600 – Faith and Revelation (Marianne Siegmund)
This course provides an exploration of the teachings of the Church on the mysteries of faith and revelation through the study of related Magisterial documents and various writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Topics include the meaning of Revelation; the relationship between Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium; the relationship between faith and reason; the necessity, character, and effects of grace; the object, act, and virtue of faith; sins against faith; and the nature and mission of theology.

PHS 607 – Perennial Philosophy (Matthew Minerd)
This foundational philosophy course introduces graduate theology students to key philosophical concepts essential for Catholic theology. It covers topics such as the necessity of philosophy for theology, the history of philosophy, anthropology, ethics, logic, metaphysics, and social philosophy. Emphasis is placed on understanding key terms like cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence, existence, relation, science, and wisdom.

SAS 602 – The Soul of Theology (John Joy)
Sacred Scripture is the soul of theology. This course lays the foundation for the study of the Sacred Page by examining essential theological concepts, establishing principles for interpretation, and considering Scripture’s role in theology. Topics include divine revelation, tradition, magisterium, inspiration, inerrancy, literal and spiritual senses, the development of the canon, texts and editions, and the use of Scripture in theology and prayer (lectio divina).

SAS 681 – Hebrews (John Joy)
This course explores the theology of the priesthood in the Letter to the Hebrews. The first two modules examine the Sitz im Leben (historical and cultural setting), the third focuses on a meditation via lectio divina, and the fourth connects the Priesthood of Jesus Christ to the priesthood in the Catholic Church.

SAS 714 – Wisdom Books (Nathan Schmiedicke)
This course studies the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Old Testament wisdom books. Students will explore various interpretive approaches—patristic, medieval, and contemporary—within the Catholic intellectual tradition. Key themes include the relationship between wisdom and Torah, the practical instruction wisdom literature offers for seeking God in the face of suffering and death, and Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the wisdom tradition.

SAS 715 – Prophets (Joshua Madden)
This course examines the Old Testament prophetic books, their composition, background, and theological themes. Students will engage with patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretations, exploring the nature of prophecy, prophetic actions, commentary on the Law, and the eschatological dimension of prophecy, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

SAS 716 – Gospels (Andrew Blaski)
This course studies the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Students will explore patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches within the Catholic tradition, examining the Gospels both individually and as a unified proclamation of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

SAS 717 – Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (Fr. Thomas Crean)This course studies the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, focusing on the birth and growth of the early Church. Students will explore patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretations, analyzing Luke and Acts both individually and as a unified narrative with chronological, literary, and theological continuity.

SAS 718 – St. Paul (Leroy Huizenga)
This course examines the life, mission, and writings of St. Paul, focusing on the Pauline epistles (Romans, I-II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I-II Thessalonians, I-II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews). Students will engage with various interpretations—patristic, medieval, and contemporary—within the Catholic intellectual tradition.

SAS 719 – Catholic Epistles and Revelation (Joshua Madden) 
This course studies the Catholic Epistles (James, I-II Peter, I, II, III John, Jude) and the Book of Revelation, exploring their composition, themes, and theological significance. Students will engage with patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches within the Catholic tradition.

APO 512 – Catholic Apologetics (Karlo Broussard)
This course introduces the student to the art of fulfilling this biblical mandate to cogently and convincingly explain and defend Christian truth and focuses on the “what” and “how” of apologetics to present a compelling defense of the Faith.

APO 540 – The New Atheism (Karlo Broussard)
This course focuses on the nature of New Atheism and the attempt it is making to secure political power in its assault against the faith.

APO 621 – Climate Science and Catholic Thought (Stacy Trasancos)
This course explores the history, trends, and issues related to the Catholic Church and its use of media for social communications. Students discuss how the media is “social” and how this can be used to “introduce people to the life of the Church and help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ” (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for 44th World Communications Day, 2010).

CHH 636 – History of the Maronite Church (Jad Chlouk)
This course examines the historical development of the Maronite Church, its theological and liturgical traditions, and its role in the broader context of the Catholic Church.

DTH 512 – Spiritual Life in the Classics (Kristina Olsen)
This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers with an emphasis on how the beautiful images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our own union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work, and mission.

DTH 731 – One and Triune God (Fr. Thomas Crean)
This course is a doctrinal study of the nature and attributes of God as known by revelation and reason. The God we know and love is One and Three. Topics in this course address both the unity of God and the three-ness of God. The work of St. Thomas Aquinas is used to expose students to these truths to be believed and to form a foundation for further growth and study. This course is a prerequisite to DTH 751 Christology.

DTH 751 – Christology (Fr. Yosyp Veresh)
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and the theology of the Incarnation, with particular attention to the development of Christological doctrine and to the theology of Thomas Aquinas. Students registering for Christology must have already completed DTH 731 One and Triune God.

DTH 766 – Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church (Fr. Peter Kucer)
This course examines Marian doctrine in its scriptural, historical, and modern contexts using infallible statements, Lumen gentium, and post-conciliar documents.

MTH 611 – Fundamental Moral Theology I (John O’Neill)
This course presents fundamental moral principles from the perspective of the classical Catholic moral tradition, especially as represented by Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II. Primary questions include the end of man, human acts, moral determinants, freedom, sin, moral responsibility, and conscience.

MTH 612 – Fundamental Moral Theology II (Edward Trendowski)
This course examines the nature of moral habit, virtue, and sin with the purpose of preparing priests and religion teachers, spiritual advisors, or other Christians to engage accurately in moral evaluation and formation.

PAS 602 – Fundamentals of Practical Theology (Marianne Siegmund)
Firmly rooted in “scientific theology,” this course seeks to apply the doctrinal truths of the Faith to various pastoral situations confronting today’s minister. Since Sacred Scripture is to “inspire all pastoral work,” this course copiously invokes it (Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini #73).

PAS 621 – Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family (Fr. Gregory Lockwood)
This course will explore marriage as a spousal covenant from the biblical and traditional perspectives and consider how to minister to families, using as a basic text John Paul II’s magisterial document, Familiaris Consortio. Modern challenges to marriage will also be addressed.

PAS 785 – Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality (Marianne Siegmund)
This course addresses the meaning of human sexuality, education and integration of emotion, sexual aberrations, relationship skills such as intra- and inter-personal skills, personal freedom skills, sexuality and spirituality, and human sexuality in relation to eschatology.

PHE 610 – Ethics (Nathan Metzger)
This course studies the principles of ethics from a Thomistic and phenomenological perspective, including criteria for making moral choices and a refutation of situation ethics. It addresses topics such as social justice, abortion, war and peace, and sexual ethics.