Catholic Studies, B.A.
Saint Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies is an interdisciplinary major grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Jesuit commitment to finding God in all things.
SLU's major engages enduring questions of truth, meaning, beauty, suffering, justice and human dignity through theology, philosophy and the wider humanities and sciences. Students explore how Catholic thought has shaped culture over time and continues to contribute to contemporary discussions of human flourishing and the common good.
The program prepares students to apply the resources of the Catholic intellectual tradition across diverse professional and vocational contexts, including business, education, health care and engineering. Coursework and a culminating integrative capstone enable students to synthesize their primary field of study with Catholic thought and culture.
Co-curricular opportunities further support students in cultivating intellectual friendship, formation in Ignatian spiritual practices, vocational discernment, and engagement with the broader community.
Admission Requirements
Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.
Tuition
| Tuition/Fee | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $58,960 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2025, 99.6% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $517 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will be able to articulate the central concerns of the Catholic intellectual tradition and describe key contributions made to it in both the first and second millennium of its development.
- Graduates will be able to draw upon the Catholic intellectual tradition to describe, analyze and evaluate developments in two or more disciplines or fields of activity, including philosophy, theology, literature, music, art, architecture, history, politics and the natural and social sciences.
- Graduates will be able to articulate how characteristic elements of Jesuit spirituality, such as “finding God in all things” and “discernment of spirits,” contribute to reflection on the good life and help orient Catholic engagement of culture.
- Graduates will be able to employ methods and materials from the Catholic intellectual tradition to analyze in depth a question of contemporary cultural significance.
Catholic studies students must complete a minimum total of 30 credits for the major. Overall requirements are as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| CATH 2000 | Catholic Imagination: Introduction to Catholic Studies | 3 |
| CATH 3001 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage I | 3 |
| CATH 3002 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage II | 3 |
| CATH 4000 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage and the Good Life | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select fifteen credits of courses with the "Catholic Studies" attribute | 15 | |
| Capstone | ||
| CATH 4960 | Catholic Studies Capstone | 3 |
| General Electives | 55-58 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
A student must maintain a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) in Catholic Studies major coursework.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
- Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
- Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
- Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication | 3 |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3200 | Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning (Should be taken in first 45 credit hours at SLU) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| CATH 2000 | Catholic Imagination: Introduction to Catholic Studies | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication | 3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| CATH 3001 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage I | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| CATH 3002 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage II | 3 |
| Catholic Studies Attributed Course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| CATH 4000 | Catholic Intellectual Heritage and the Good Life | 3 |
| Catholic Studies Attributed Course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3600 | Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
| Catholic Studies Attributed Course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 7 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| Catholic Studies Attributed Course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CATH 4960 | Catholic Studies Capstone | 3 |
| Catholic Studies Attributed Course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-123 | |
For additional information about this program, please contact catholicstudies@slu.edu or call 314-977-7199.