Philosophical studies are fundamental and indispensable to theological studies and the formation of priesthood candidates, according to the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), Sixth Edition.
For seminarians whose undergraduate education has not included the advanced study of philosophy required to enter the Master of Divinity program, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology offers a "balanced, comprehensive, integrated, and coherent" (PPF, 282) two-year, graduate-level, pre-theology program, resulting in a Master of Arts (Catholic Philosophical Studies).
The degree consists of 52 credit hours and fulfills the PPF's pre-theology requirement of 30 hours in philosophy and 12 hours in theology. The program provides an integrated curriculum in metaphysics in the historical courses (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary), as well as in the topical courses (especially metaphysics: natural theology).
Upon completion of the MA(CPS) degree, the graduate should reach the following benchmarks in the four dimensions of priestly formation identified in the Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition):
1. Demonstrates growth in virtues and a maturing self-awareness that promotes a deeper relationship with others and with Christ (paras. 192-93);
2. Balances his responsibilities in all the areas of formation, demonstrates discipline with his daily schedule, and is attentive to his health (para. 195);
3. Demonstrates growing openness to the Holy Spirit as the primary agent of formation through commitment to the formation process and cooperation with formators (para. 236);
4. Demonstrates a consistent participation in the liturgical and communal life of prayer in the seminary and developing habits of personal prayer, lectio divina, and participation in spiritual direction (para. 237);
5. Communicates clearly his understanding and awareness of God's call to him of a lifelong commitment to celibate chastity (para. 238);
6. Demonstrates a growing command of the Western philosophical tradition, which will provide him the framework upon which to build during the configuration stage (para. 289);
7. Understands and evaluates Christian and secular ideas concerning the human person, the world, and its Creator, as well as contemporary issues surrounding the intersection of faith and modern science (para. 289);
8. Demonstrates a foundational knowledge of Sacred Scripture and Christian doctrine, as well as the ability to communicate clearly in both the written and spoken word (paras. 289-90);
9. Demonstrates growing competency in liturgical roles in the seminary community (para. 374);
10. Demonstrates the ability to relate well to others, including women as peers and authority figures, and people of diverse cultural, racial, and class backgrounds (para. 374);
11. Demonstrates a commitment to apostolic works of Christian charity and an awareness of issues surrounding global poverty (para. 375).
Spirituality Week
45:505 History of Christian Spirituality, part 1
Fall Semester (12 hours)
05:513 Logical Analysis (3 hours)
05:515 Ancient Philosophy (3 hours)
10:510 The Creed in History and Theology (3 hours)
49:501 Human Development and Christian Maturity (3 hours)
January Interterm (3 hours)
45:505 History of Christian Spirituality, part 2 (3 hours)
Spring Semester (13 hours)
05:520 Medieval Philosophy (3 hours)
05:530 Philosophy of Nature and Man (3 hours)
62:500 Ecclesiastical Latin I (3 hours)
05:535 Word and Interpretation (3 hours)
Elective (2 hours)
Spirituality Week (1 hour)
45:506 Introduction to Priestly Spirituality (1 hour)
Fall Semester (14 hours)
05:510 Ethics and Natural Law (3 hours)
05:514 Philosophy of Knowledge (3 hours)
05:523 Modern Philosophy (3 hours)
05:550 Metaphysics: Natural Theology (3 hours)
Elective (2 hours)
Spring Semester (12 hours)
05:540 Political Philosophy (3 hours)
05:545 Contemporary Philosophy (3 hours)
20:510 Introduction to Biblical Studies (3 hours)
70:300 MA Concluding Exercise Seminar (3 hours)
Total hours: 55