Requirements For Degrees

Bachelor Of Arts In Philosophy And The Liberal Arts

The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts is granted to those students who fulfill the following general minimum requirements:

  1. One hundred twenty-six (126) credit hours, which must include a minimum of 33 credit hours in philosophy, 18 credit hours in theology, 15 credit hours in history, 15 credit hours in literature, 9 credit hours in psychology, 6 credit hours in English composition, 6 credit hours in the fine arts, 6 credit hours in the natural sciences, 6 credit hours in a foreign language, 3 credit hours in mathematics, and 3 credit hours in public speaking. These required hours are fulfilled by the courses specified in the Programs of Study section of this site, or by those approved by the Academic Dean.

  2. Forty-five (45) of the credit hours must be from upper-division courses.

  3. Ordinarily, the last 30 credit hours must be in residence at Saint Joseph Seminary College.

  4. The foreign language requirement is to be satisfied by the study of Latin. By exception, the Academic Dean may substitute another foreign language.

  5. In accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Program of Priestly Formation, the Philosophy requirements are to include the study of the history of philosophy, logic, epistemology, philosophy of nature, metaphysics, natural theology, philosophical anthropology, and ethics.

  6. Maintenance of a cumulative C average in the courses applicable toward the degree and in Philosophy courses.

  7. Any student seeking a degree from Saint Joseph Seminary College is required to be a full-time student, taking a minimum of 12 semester hours each semester of enrollment. Courses required by Saint Joseph Seminary College and taken at another college will not be accepted for transfer credit unless previously approved as such by the Academic Dean.

  8. Payment of the graduation fee and presence at the graduation exercises are required of all who receive a degree.

Bachelor Of Arts In Philosophy And Theological Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies degree is designed specifically for those students who have earned at least 60 credit hours at another college or university and wish to transfer to Saint Joseph Seminary College.

Special Admission Requirements

  1. A student who enters the curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts at Saint Joseph Seminary College would not, at any time, become eligible to enter the program leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies.

  2. Students will be eligible for this program if they have completed 60 or more credit hours of transferable higher education credit.

  3. Twenty-seven (27) of the 60 hours must include hours within the following parameters: 6-9 credit hours in English composition or equivalent, 3-9 credit hours in science, 3-6 credit hours in math, 3-9 credit hours literature, 3-9 credit hours in history, and 2-6 credit hours in fine arts.

  4. Students must have maintained a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA.

  5. Students who enter this program already having earned a B.A. or B.S. may earn this B.A. as well.

Degree Requirements

  1. One hundred twenty-six (126) credit hours, which must include a minimum of 33 credit hours in philosophy, 18 credit hours in theology, 6 credit hours in English composition, 6 credit hours in a foreign language, 3 credit hours in history, 3 credit hours in literature, 2 credit hours in the fine arts, 3 credit hours in the natural sciences, and 3 credit hours in mathematics. These required hours are fulfilled by the courses specified in the Programs of Study section of this site, or by those approved by the Academic Dean.

  2. Forty-five (45) of the credit hours must be from upper-division courses.

  3. Ordinarily, the last 30 credit hours must be in residence at Saint Joseph Seminary College.

  4. Students who enter this program already having earned a B.A. or B.S. must complete 60 credit hours beyond that degree.

  5. The foreign language requirement is to be satisfied by the study of Latin. By exception, the Academic Dean may substitute another foreign language.

  6. In accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Program of Priestly Formation, the Philosophy requirements are to include the study of the history of philosophy, logic, epistemology, philosophy of nature, metaphysics, natural theology, philosophical anthropology, and ethics.

  7. Maintenance of a cumulative C average in the courses applicable toward the degree and in Philosophy courses.

  8. Payment of the graduation fee and presence at the graduation exercises are required of all who receive a degree.

General Education Requirements For Both Degrees

The Louisiana Board of Regents has established Statewide General Education Requirements which are found in Board of Regents Academic Affairs Policy 2.16; Statewide General Education Requirements. The goals of the Statewide General Education Requirements are that the undergraduate completer shall attain appropriate competencies in the following areas: oral and written communication, reading, abstract reasoning and critical thinking, mathematics, the scientific method, informational applications, cultural diversity, and the fine and performing arts. St. Joseph Seminary College provides a common general education core curriculum which:

  1. Assures proficiency in basic English skills so that students are able to communicate effectively in both writing and speech.

  2. Assures proficiency in mathematics so that students are able to understand and use numerical data appropriate to their chosen career field.

  3. Develops scientific literacy and an understanding of the scientific method.

  4. Fosters those habits necessary to learn independently.

  5. Develops an awareness of the great ideas, issues, and questions of world cultures.

  6. Exposes students to the history and nature of the fine and performing arts.

All baccalaureate degrees include minimum general education requirements. General education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts are listed below. General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies are described in "Special Admission Requirements" above.

  • English composition - 6 hours

  • Fine Arts - 3 hours

  • History - 6 hours

  • Foreign Language - 6 hours

  • Literature - 3 hours

  • Mathematics - 3 hours

  • Natural Science - 6 hours

  • Philosophy - 9 hours

  • Psychology - 3 hours

  • Theology - 6 hours