Academic Divisions

St. Thomas has seven academic divisions, described below.

College of Arts and Sciences (bachelor’s and master’s)

The college is the largest and most diverse of the academic divisions. All undergraduate students begin their educational experience within the College of Arts and Sciences, and 60 percent of students will pursue a major in one of its 22 academic departments and eight interdisciplinary programs. The college gives life to the university’s liberal arts mission through a broad range of majors and minors and the core curriculum. Many students double major or minor in one of the other colleges and schools. From undergraduate research in collaboration with faculty to creative performances, internships and seminar discussions, programs are rooted in active learning initiatives.

The college is led by Dr. Terence Langan, who was appointed as dean in spring 2012 after serving as interim and associate dean and previously as a member of the economics faculty since 1990.

College of Education, Leadership and Counseling

The college includes the School of Education (bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctorate) and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (master’s and doctorate).

Recently renamed, the college formerly was known as the College of Applied Professional Studies and offers more than 50 degree programs. It combines rigor with relevance in adopting a structure that reflects the contemporary challenges of education and human services.

Accreditations include the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the American Psychological Association. The college is led by Dr. Bruce Kramer, who has served as dean since 2009 and previously was a member of the education faculty for 13 years.

Opus College of Business (bachelor’s and master’s)

The college seeks to transform students’ lives and careers, and the landscape of the business community, by educating highly principled global business leaders and molding students into ethical business professionals. The college has the largest business ethics department in the United States and a national reputation in this area.

The undergraduate degree combines a traditional liberal arts core with specialized business knowledge from intensive concentrations. On the graduate level are full-time and part-time evening MBA programs and specialized master’s programs in accountancy, business communication and real estate.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredited the college in 2011. Fewer than five percent of business schools worldwide have earned this hallmark. The college is led by Dr. Christopher Puto, who has served as dean since 2002. He has announced his intention to step down from the deanship and transition to a full-time faculty member at the end of the 2012–13 academic year.

School of Engineering (bachelor’s and master’s)

The School of Engineering develops engineers grounded in a sound liberal arts foundation combined with hands-on experience and strong technical skills. The only private university in Minnesota with an engineering curriculum, St. Thomas offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, software and systems engineering as well as regulatory science and technology management. The school’s faculty have a broad range of industrial experience, and the regional business community is a valued partner adding tremendously to the vibrant educational environment.

The bachelor of science degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering and the master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. The school is led by Dr. Donald Weinkauf, who has served as dean since joining St. Thomas in 2008.

School of Law (juris doctorate)

In 1999, the Board of Trustees voted to reopen the School of Law, which operated for a decade (1923–33) before closing during the Great Depression. The school reopened in fall 2001 with its mission to integrate faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. Its academic program stands out for its recognition of the importance of human dignity and relationships in effective lawyering, reflected in its foundations of justice course; an award-winning mentor externship program; and a strong commitment to faculty scholarship, experiential learning and community accountability.

The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and in 2012 was accepted as a member of the American Association of Law Schools. It is led by Neil Hamilton, a founding faculty member who became interim dean in May 2012 following the resignation of a dean who left after 10 years to accept a college presidency. A search committee commenced the search for a new dean in January 2012.

School of Social Work (bachelor’s and master’s)

The School of Social Work is a joint program with St. Catherine University in St. Paul. Rooted in educational justice and community engagement and drawing from the Judeo- Christian traditions of social caring, the undergraduate program prepares generalist social workers committed to professional ethics and values, service, social justice and human rights. The master’s program focuses on clinical social work practices that help graduates deal with problems such as mental illness, developmental disabilities, poverty, discrimination and oppression. The school offers both weekday and weekend options.

The Council on Social Work Education has accredited the programs since 1975. The school is led by Dr. Barbara Shank, who joined the university in 1978 and has led the social work program since 1982. She was appointed dean in 1996 when the School of Social Work became an autonomous school at St. Thomas.

St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity (master’s)

The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity is a graduate theological school with degrees in divinity, pastoral ministry, theology and religious education. It is a major component of the university’s commitment to develop competent, dedicated and effective ordained and lay leadership for the Roman Catholic Church. The St. Paul Seminary has responsibility for the preparation of priests, while the other programs in the School of Divinity division educate lay men and women for service in the church and for the work of evangelization.

The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Its rector is Monsignor Aloysius Callaghan, and its academic dean is Dr. Christopher Thompson. They have served in these roles since 2005 and 2006, respectively.