Theology

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

• Reading

General Notes

• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Philosophy majors must complete 33 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology (MET IN MAJOR)
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science (Met in related area)
  • Math (Met in related area)
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (MET IN MAJOR)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (MET IN MAJOR)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, theology majors must complete 33 credits in the major. NOTE: Most upper level THE courses are not offered every semester and some are offered every two years.

Required Theology Courses (18 credits)

• THE 105: Foundations of Theology
• Select one from the two courses below:
  • THE 200: Christian Approach to Morality (pre-requisite: THE 105)
  • THE 210: Medical Moral Theology
• THE 225: Global Issues: The Gospel Perspective (pre-requisite: THE 105)
• THE 380: Christ & the Church (pre-requisite: THE 105)
• Select two from the three courses below:
  • THE 306: Biblical Studies (pre-requisite: THE 105)
  • THE 308: Biblical Studies: Old Testament Studies (pre-requisite: THE 105)
  • THE 309: Biblical Studies: New Testament Studies (pre-requisite: THE 105)
• THE 480: Capstone Senior year
   

Required Philosophy Electives (15 credits)

• At least 3 credits must be earned at the 400-level; THE 105 is a pre-requisite for all THE courses at the 200 level or higher 
   

Electives, Minor or Second Major as required for the minimum 123 credits

• Selections cannot include MAT 100 or COM 100

Accreditation Statements

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning the Bachelor of Arts in Theology, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

 

Theology is a versatile major that can prepare you for a variety of exciting careers. While you may be aspiring toward a career based in church work, it also could be that you’re interested in writing, law, education, community work, lobbying, consulting or counseling. Perhaps you’re thinking about a career in public service, or would like to work for a religious publishing house or help staff or direct a Diocese office.

You might put your skills to work as a campus minister; hospital, prison or military chaplain; director of a church camp; pastor; priest; missionary; or religious education professional.

The skills and qualities you develop as a theology major can qualify you for a number of positions, as employers value strong critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively. Alvernia theology graduates have gone on to serve in many types of careers, bolstered by the knowledge and experience gained during their time at the University.

Earning a theology degree at Alvernia can also prepare you for seminary or graduate school Graduates have pursued advanced degrees at institutions such as Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in theology are expected to grow by up to 4 percent between 2022 and 2032. The median salary in the field is $45,000.

Opportunities for Majors

Theology Club

The Theology Club is open to all students. Club members are people who want to evaluate their lives in relation to what they
believe. Students have the chance to hold discussions, events, and activities.
 

Theta Alpha Kappa, Alpha Zeta Xi chapter

Theta Alpha Kappa is the national honors society for Religious Studies and Theology. Majors and minors in Theology with a minimum
3.5 GPA in their theology courses and a minimum 3.0 overall GPA will be inducted into the society in their final spring semester.
 

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Philosophy program, contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to program director Corey Harris at 610-790-1992 or corey.harris@alvernia.edu.