Philosophy for Ministry, B.S.

Overview
Learning Outcomes
Requirements
Roadmap

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Philosophy for Ministry offered through the College of Philosophy and Letters is primarily for priests, servants of the church and dedicated Catholics who plan further study in theology and ministry.

SLU also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy for Ministry and an archdiocesan philosophy for ministry B.A. (specifically for students on track to ordination to diocesan priesthood) through the College for Philosophy and Letters, as well as a traditional Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy through the College of Arts and Sciences.

SLU's philosophy for ministry B.S. program, while offering a concentration in math and natural sciences, leaves considerable room for electives. Core, major and concentration requirements may simultaneously satisfy requirements for a second major, minor or certificate in other schools and colleges, provided the content is appropriate.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Bachelor of Science in Philosophy is composed of a 33-credit program core (shared with the humanities and language concentrations of the B.A.), and a 30-credit math and natural sciences concentration. The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120.

Careers

This program provides both the philosophical and intellectual background needed for further studies in theology and ministry. Options for students who envision a future in areas of ministry and service to the church include:

For future priests, the philosophical requirements for ordination
For servants of the church, tools for reflecting on contexts of ministry
For dedicated Catholics, opportunities to integrate your wider studies and interests with your faith

Admission

Admission requirements for each candidate’s religious order or diocese in the area of academic achievement, personal character and spiritual ideals must be met. Lay students must articulate a serious desire for Catholic ministry.

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 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
Tuition/Fee	Per Semester	Per Credit
Undergraduate Tuition	$21,280	$1,470
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 February 1.

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

Graduates will be able to identify connections among major thinkers and ideas that have shaped the history of Western philosophy.
Graduates will be able to state and explain key philosophical ideas and methods suitable for understanding and analyzing contexts of Catholic ministry.
Graduates will be able to analyze specific challenges in the contexts of Catholic ministry using philosophy and other relevant knowledge.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant humanistic, social-scientific, and STEM resources for understanding today’s world, as a context of Catholic ministry.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Undergraduate University Core		32-35
Major Requirements
Latin, Greek, or Modern Language ¹		9
Complete through the intermediate (2000 level or above) from the following course codes: LATN, GK, AR, CHIN, FREN, GR, ITAL, PG, RUSS, and SPAN.
Theology		6
Any 6 credits of THEO credit, level 2000 or above.
Epistemology		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 3600	Science and Religion
PHIL 4120	Topics in Epistemology
PLJ 3000	Logic and Epistemology
Philosophy of Religion		3
PHIL 3250	Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of Human Nature		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 3300	Philosophy of the Human Person
PLJ 3300	Philosophical Anthropology
Ethics		3
PHIL 2050	Ethics
Ancient Greek Philosophy ^†		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 4400	History of Ancient Greek Philosophy
PLJ 3100	Ancient Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy ^†		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 4500	Medieval Philosophy
PLJ 3200	Medieval Philosophy
Modern Philosophy ^†		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 4600	History of Modern Philosophy
PLJ 4100	Modern Philosophy
Contemporary Philosophy ^†		3
Take one of the following:
PHIL 4800	Topics and Movements in Contemporary Philosophy
PLJ 4800	Contemporary Philosophy
Social Analysis/Special Ethics ^‡		9
Capstone Preparation		2
PLJ 4900	Integration Seminar
Capstone Project		3
PLJ 4960	Capstone Project
Concentration		30
Math & Natural Sciences Concentration
General Electives		5
Total Credits		120

¹: May be satisfied by a passing grade on an approved language proficiency examination.
†: The historical period courses are normally satisfied by history of philosophy courses, but courses on appropriate historical figures and topics may also count, with approval of the dean. Contemporary Philosophy includes late 19th century to present.
‡: The social analysis/special ethics requirements may be satisfied by courses in other disciplines, provided their content is appropriate; these courses may also simultaneously satisfy other core requirements or concentration requirements.

Math & Natural Sciences Concentration

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English, American, or World Literature		3
ENGL courses 3000 level or above
Fine Arts or Art History		3
Any ART, ARTH, DANC, or VPA course
History		6
HIST courses, one can be at the 1000 level, other should be 2000 level or above
Mathematics ¹		9
Natural Science		9
BIOL, CHEM, EAS, PHYS courses
Total Credits		30

¹: Students should take 9 credits of mathematics courses, MATH 1220 Finite Mathematics (3 cr) or higher.

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
Fall		Credits
CORE 1600	Ultimate Questions: Theology	3
CORE 1700	Ultimate Questions: Philosophy	3
ENGL 1900	Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research	3
Language		3
Math		3
	Credits	15
Spring
PHIL 2050	Ethics	3
PHIL 3250	Philosophy of Religion	3
Ancient Philosophy (if needed) Normally satisfied by PHIL 4400, but other courses with appropriate content may also qualify		3
PLJ 4900	Integration Seminar (See Program Notes)	1
Theology		3
Language		3
Math/Logic (if Ancient is not taken)		3
	Credits	19
Year Two
Fall
Medieval Philosophy (Normally satisfied by PHIL 4500, but other courses in medieval thinkers/topics may also qualify)		3
Natural Science		3
Theology		3
Language		3
Social Sciences (May count as a Social Analysis course)		3
	Credits	15
Spring
Modern Philosophy (Normally satisfied by PHIL 4600, but other courses on modern thinkers/topics may also qualify)		3
Philosophy of Human Nature (if needed) Normally satisfied by PHIL 3300, but other courses with appropriate content may also qualify		3
Natural Science		3
History		3
Literature		3
Elective		3
	Credits	18
Year Three
Fall
Epistemology (Satisfied by multiple offerings, including PHIL 3600 and philosophy of science courses)		3
Contemporary Philosophy		3
Social Analysis: Social Sciences		3
Natural Science		3
Math		3
	Credits	15
Spring
Social Analysis/Special Ethics		3
Social Sciences (May count as Social Analysis course)		3
Math/Logic (if not taken in semester 2)		3
Natural Science		3
History		3
	Credits	15
Year Four
Fall
Social Analysis/Special Ethics/Social Sciences (if needed)		3
Natural Science		3
Literature		3
Electives		3-6
Capstone Preparation		2
	Credits	14-17
Spring
PLJ 4960	Capstone Project	3
Social Analysis/Special Ethics (if needed)		3
Literature		3
Art/Art History		3
Elective		3
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	126-129

Program Notes

Approval for Course Substitutions

The dean of the College of Philosophy and Letters determines "appropriate content" for course substitutions.

Integrative Seminars

These courses are required of Jesuit students only.

Social Analysis/Special Ethics Course Requirements

Courses taken to satisfy other requirements (such as the social sciences requirement) may simultaneously satisfy the social analysis/special ethics requirement, with the dean’s approval. To the extent possible, students should select courses that focus on areas of contextual analysis that are relevant to their envisioned capstone project. Social analysis courses include courses in social-political philosophy or courses in other disciplines, so long as course content is largely dedicated to understanding aspects of contemporary life, society or culture, relevant to the context of ministry for the student’s capstone. Special ethics courses are satisfied by:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
PHIL 3360	Medical Ethics	3
PHIL 3380	Business Ethics	3
PHIL 3400	Ethics & Engineering	3
PHIL 3420	Environmental and Ecological Ethics	3
PHIL 3430	Philosophy of Law	3

Contemporary Philosophy Requirement

Satisfied by philosophy offerings that treat thinkers from the late 19th to the 21st centuries or contemporary treatments of philosophical topics (metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, contemporary ethics, etc.). Special ethics courses do not satisfy this requirement.