A pre-theology program focuses on providing spiritual, pastoral, human, and philosophical education to students who want to enter the seminary and pursue higher studies in theology or want to pursue a master’s degree in divinity. It also has a huge impact on your academic life. Read further to know more.
A pre-theology program is a two-year course and is considered a prerequisite if you want to join as a seminarian. A pre-theology program also prepares those students who are keen to join Master’s in Divinity degree courses, by fulfilling the educational qualifications required for the same. After completion of the pre-theology program, interested students can join divinity degree online programs. Apart from spiritual training, this program also aims at helping the students excel in academics, through the study of religion, philosophy, and liberal arts. It also imparts Catholic knowledge to the students. The role of pre-theology in your academic life is mentioned below.
Role of pre-theology in your academic life.
Pre-theology programs help the students in four segments of formation, such as human formation, spiritual formation, pastoral formation, and intellectual formation. The curriculum of this program also focuses on the prerequisites for a Master’s in Divinity degree course. As far as intellectual formation is concerned, a pre-theology student must acquire a 2.5-grade point average during their course. The curriculum of a pre-theology program includes the following:
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Religious studies: This curriculum focuses on laying the basic foundation for the subject of theology, and offers a deeper insight into the theological world, combined with personal, spiritual, and pastoral training. As a result, it aims at enhancing the student’s practical skills for further studies.
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Philosophy: This curriculum plays an integral part in the pre-theology program. It provides a piece of in-depth knowledge of philosophy and its historical significance concerning theology. Philosophy also enhances the student’s critical thinking skills.
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Language: Languages such as Pastoral English and Spanish are included as part of the curriculum, thereby preparing the students for further studies in theology. This is because these languages are considered a criterion for admission to higher degree courses such as a Master’s in Divinity degree course.
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Educational requirements for Master’s in Divinity degree: This curriculum helps the students in Bible reading. It also includes rhetoric and the history of Christian thought. These are the prerequisites if you want to pursue a Master’s in Divinity degree. By fulfilling these requirements, you can join a Master of Divinity degree online course.
Conclusion:
A pre-theology program is not only considered a prerequisite for those willing to enter the seminary, but it also imparts academic knowledge to the students. With the above-mentioned subjects as part of the curriculum, a pre-theology student can excel in academics, apart from spiritual and personal growth. As a result, the student is well prepared for further studies in theology.
St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry is a Roman Catholic school that offers many theology and pre-theology programs. Apart from the various on-campus courses, St. Bernard’s also offers various online programs, such as online Masters of Divinity programs. If you want to pursue pre-theology online, then you can head over to stbernards.edu and choose from the various online courses it offers.
