University of St. Thomas

When asked what one word best describes the Catholic studies major at St. Thomas, a faculty member replied, “life-changing.”

A real student asks:

 

Can non-Catholics major in Catholic studies?

A Catholic studies faculty member responds: Yes! You don’t have to be Catholic to take a course or pursue a degree in Catholic studies. Catholic studies will expose anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, to the rich history and intellectual tradition of the Catholic faith.

What jobs are possible with a Catholic Studies major?

What are recent graduates doing now?

Theresa Klein, ’06, graduated with a double major in Catholic studies and Spanish as well as a minor in political science.  Following graduation, she interned for the Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations in New York City. As part of her job, she represents the Holy See at meetings and reports to Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. According to Klein, the best part of her work is that “it places [her] at the center of world events.”

Klein explains how her faith and interest in politics and culture led her to accept this internship:  “My Catholic studies classes sparked my interest in Catholic social thought and the role of the church in the modern world, giving me a foundation on which to understand the positions taken by the Holy See at the United Nations.”

What opportunities are there to bolster my resume while I'm in the program?

Internships. Catholic studies students have been able to acquire internships in a variety of areas.  Recent internships include: American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, The Catholic Spirit (the newspaper for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis), the Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, Partnership for Youth, Pontifical Council for Culture, Providence Academy, Sharing & Caring Hands, Trinity School at River Ridge and Vatican Radio.

Study abroad. The Catholic Studies in Rome program is an integral part of the Catholic studies education. Approximately 70 percent of Catholic studies majors take advantage of this program which has full-year or semester-long options.

In Rome, the history and tradition of Catholicism come alive for our students. Classes are held at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Pope John Paul II himself studied. Students volunteer and serve the poor with the either Missionaries of Charity—the order founded by Blessed Mother Teresa—or the St. Egidio community in Rome. They experience the universality of the church as they celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s square with thousands of people from around the world. Above all, they grow in faith through study, prayer and fellowship with their peers.

Student Testimonials

“[The Catholic Studies in Rome program] allowed me to tangibly see the universality of the church, her role in modernity, the importance of community, the beauty of simplicity and the history of the Church. It allowed me to see the education I learned at UST lived out.”

“Rome was probably the most valuable part of my education experience at UST.”

Faculty at work

Members of the Catholic studies department have always been generous with their time in regard to department projects and interactions with students. Outside of the classroom, they can be found at annual social events, such as the ice cream social in September, the Orchestra Hall performance of Handel’s Messiah in December and the Ultimate Frisbee tournament in April. 

Our faculty members, many of them experts in their field, also are noteworthy for their public presentations, interviews and written publications.