• Ministerial work. Some go directly into church work, as a youth minister, for example. Others head off to seminary or divinity school to prepare for a career in church ministry, including the Catholic priesthood.
• Teaching. Many Theology majors are preparing for careers as Catholic or Christian elementary or secondary school teachers, or as directors of religious education in parishes.
• Public Service. Theology provides an ideal background for a career in public service--politics, social work, international relations, etc.
• Graduate School and a Career as a College or Seminary Professor. Many students embrace the challenging goal of graduate study in Theology, leading toward a career in teaching at the college level or above. The Marquette Theology Department has its own superior MA and PhD programs. The Theology major prepares you well for further success, here at Marquette or wherever you decide to go. In recent years, our grads have gone on for graduate work at such institutions as Boston College, Catholic University of America, Harvard University, and many more.
• Seize the Opportunity! Many students choose Theology because they see graduate or professional school--business, law, medicine--in their future. They know they may never have a chance to study Theology again, and decide to take advantage of the opportunity now.
• Theology as a Secondary Major. Secondary Theology majors put Theology together with their other interests--nursing, business, anthropology, psychology, whatever!--and then go on to study and work in a wide variety of professions. For example:

A recent alumna currently working as a neo-natal pediatrician said that “my theology background has allowed me to examine ethical issues that I encounter with challenging patients (infants who are premature or are critically ill) in a different light.  I also think it helps me personally as I try to make sense of the pain and sorrow these babies' families experience.”

In addition, our graduates are currently enjoying a variety of careers in public policy, medicine, law and publishing. Combine a secondary Theology major with just about anything else, and the chances are you’ll have a winning combination.

Faculty members in Theology are outstanding scholars, and teachers.

• Our Theology faculty is recognized not only for excellence in research and publication, but also for a singular dedication to teaching. Many of us also have connections to our churches and religious communities, for example, as pastors, priests, and religious. Some of our best are also members of the Society of Jesus, which founded Marquette University.
• We are both Catholic and ecumenical, and we include in our number not only Catholic theologians, but Protestant and Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim as well.
• Our more than thirty full-time faculty members offer expertise in a wide variety of topics, from the Bible and ancient church history to the history of the Catholic Church in America, from Moses to Martin Luther.
• The Theology Department is also home to one of Marquette’s premier graduate programs. Many of our outstanding PhD students teach their own Theology courses, and they serve as teaching assistants for some undergraduate courses taught by regular faculty. Others teach courses of their own. Just like the regular faculty, our teaching assistants and instructors are there to help you develop all the skills you need for success at Marquette, and beyond.

Requires 33 credit hours in Theology, including:

• THEO 1001, our Intro course
• Two 2000-level courses in Bible (one each in Old Testament and New)
• Seven further courses, including one each in:

  - Historical Theology
  

  - Systematic Theology
  - Ethics
  - World Religions

• The Capstone Seminar, THEO 4997 (also fulfills the Senior Experience Requirement)

Depending on a student's preparation and educational needs, other courses may be substituted by approval of the departmental advisor, who may also suggest cognate courses in other departments. Students preparing for graduate studies in theology are encouraged to begin courses in a necessary classical (Greek/Hebrew/Latin) or modern language (French/German).

It is simple. The Theology Minor consists of six courses, including THEO 1001, one course at the 2000-level, and four courses at the 4000-level or above. For students in the Klingler College of Arts & Sciences, this means that you only need three additional Theology courses beyond your Core and College requirements to qualify for the Theology Minor.

Minor in Theology

Requires 36 credit hours in Theology, including:

• THEO 1001: Introduction to Theology
• THEO 2000: Old Testament Overview
• THEO 2100: New Testament Overview
• THEO 2210: Theology Through the Centuries
• THEO 4320: Jesus the Christ
• THEO 4330: Theology of the Church
• THEO 4340: Sacraments
• THEO 4490: Special Topics in Moral Theology
• Three elective courses (4000-level)
• THEO 4997: Capstone Seminar (senior year)

This major also requires 19 hours in Education:

• EDUC 1210: Introduction to Schooling in a Diverse Society
• EDUC 1220: Psychology of Human Development in Children and Adolescents
• EDUC 2227: Using Technology for Learning and Assessment
• EDUC 4037: Literacy in the Content Areas
• EDUC 4297: Teaching in the Middle School
• EDUC 4067: Strategies in Religious Education

For full program details and requirements, please refer to the THEOLOGY CURRICULUM section in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS (INEE)

Reflect upon the ethical dimensions of environmental issues with studies in biology, economics, philosophy, physics, theology and other disciplines.
Click here to learn more.

JUSTICE AND PEACE (INJP)

Courses focusing on conceptualizing justice and peace, bridging social communities, promoting social and economic justice, and resolving violent conflict.
Click here to learn more.

For information on all of the Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors offered through the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, click here.