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Philosophy for Ministry, B.A. (Archdiocesan)

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for Ministry, offered through the College of Philosophy and Letters, includes an archdiocesan concentration that is designed to meet the undergraduate requirements for ordination to diocesan priesthood. The B.A. provides the intellectual formation for men who have been admitted to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, where they complete the seminary’s programs for spiritual, ministerial and personal development.

Curriculum Overview

The archdiocesan concentration in SLU’s Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for Ministry is centered around a 37-credit major in philosophy for ministry, complemented by 28 credits in theology, Catholic studies and ecclesiastical Latin. The degree requires 51 credits in general education. The program requires a minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Careers

The archdiocesan concentration in SLU's Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for Ministry provides students with the philosophical, theological, language and other general undergraduate requirements for advancing toward ordination, as approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and set forth in the Program for Priestly Formation.

Admission

Admission requirements for each diocese in the areas of academic achievement, personal character and spiritual ideals must be met. 

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common 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.

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
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Tuition/Fee Per Semester Per Credit
Undergraduate Tuition $20,460 $1,410
Newman Center $225

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

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 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to analyze and evaluate arguments.
  2. Graduates will be able to identify similarities and differences among major thinkers and ideas that have shaped the history of Western philosophy.
  3. Graduates will be able to analyze the relationship between faith and reason.
Major Requirements
PLJ 3000Logic and Epistemology3
PLJ 3100Ancient Philosophy3
PLJ 3150Philosophy of Nature3
PLJ 3200Medieval Philosophy3
PLJ 3300Philosophical Anthropology3
PLJ 4000Metaphysics3
PLJ 4100Modern Philosophy3
PLJ 4250Natural Theology3
PLJ 4310Ethics3
PLJ 4350Social-Political Philosophy3
PLJ 4800Contemporary Philosophy3
PLJ 4965Philosophy Capstone: Faith & Reason2-3
Philosophy Electives4
Philosophy electives may be also satisfied with appropriate PHIL 3000- or PHIL 4000-level philosophy courses.
Additional Ecclesiastical Requirements
Ecclesiastical Latin 6
Students may take a third course in ecclesiastical Latin as an Elective
Theology12
Selected from the following courses
CATH 2000
Catholic Imagination: Introduction to Catholic Studies
CATH 3001
Catholic Intellectual Heritage I
CATH 3002
Catholic Intellectual Heritage II
CATH 4000
Catholic Intellectual Heritage and the Good Life
PLJ 1050
Catechism I: Catholic Doctrine
PLJ 2050
Catechism II-III
PLJ 2930
Special Topics
PLJ 3060
Introduction to Scripture: Biblical Hermeneutics and Salvation History
PLJ 4050
Christian Prayer
Catechetical Methods 1
General Electives62
Total Credits120

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA).

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ENGL 1500
or ENGL 1900
The Process of Composition
or Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research
3
HIST 1110 Origins of the Modern World to 1500 3
CMM 1200 Public Speaking 3
PLJ 1010 Ecclesiastical Latin I 3
PLJ 1050
or CORE 1600
Catechism I: Catholic Doctrine
or Ultimate Questions: Theology
2-3
Elective 3
 Credits17-18
Spring
ENGL 1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research 3
HIST 1110 Origins of the Modern World to 1500 3
PLJ 1020 Ecclesiastical Latin II 3
PLJ 2050 Catechism II-III 2
Electives 6
 Credits17
Year Two
Fall
MATH 1200 College Algebra 3
Language Elective I: Ecclesiastical Latin III 3
PLJ 3050 Liturgy and Sacraments I: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist 2
Electives 9
 Credits17
Spring
PLJ 3055 Liturgy and Sacraments II: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Marriage 2
Electives 13
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
PLJ 3150 Philosophy of Nature 3
PLJ 3100 Ancient Philosophy 3
PLJ 3060 Introduction to Scripture: Biblical Hermeneutics and Salvation History 2
PLJ 3000 Logic and Epistemology 3
Electives 5
 Credits16
Spring
PLJ 3300 Philosophical Anthropology 3
PLJ 3200 Medieval Philosophy 3
PLJ 4310 Ethics 3
PLJ 4050 Christian Prayer 2
Catechetical Methods 1
Elective 2
 Credits14
Year Four
Fall
PLJ 4000 Metaphysics 3
PLJ 4250 Natural Theology 3
PLJ 4100 Modern Philosophy 3
General Electives 4
 Credits13
Spring
PLJ 4350 Social-Political Philosophy 3
PLJ 4800 Contemporary Philosophy 3
PLJ 4965 Philosophy Capstone: Faith & Reason 2
General Electives 4
 Credits12
 Total Credits121-122

For further information on scholarships available to seminarians, contact Kenrick-Glennon Registrar Catherine Hayek at hayek@kenrick.edu