Religious Teacher Certification Program

Course Descriptions

ENGLISH (ENG)

ENG 110 SPEECH (3 credit hours)

This course is deigned to supply students with the skills of public address, a fundamental understanding of critical thinking practices, foundational tenets of communication theory, a grasp of the relationship between context and communication, and a sense of the responsibility for effective, correct, adult speaking.

ENG 130 RESEARCH & RHETORIC (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: ENG 110

This course fully prepares students to become literate masters of the written and spoken word. The components of this program are designed to allow the student to become experts in grammar, writing, and communication. Course work includes the basics of grammar applied to high level topics that further the student's ability to convey complicated ideas in speech and writing.

ENG 410 TOPICS IN LITERACY

Prerequisites: ENG 110 AND 130 (3 credit hours)

This introductory course will emphasize the foundations of the science of teaching reading, and introduces the theoretical foundations of reading. Teacher candidates will explore how reading, literacy, and cognitive processes are developed. The focus of this course is an examination of how to facilitate literacy acquisition and development. The course includes teaching approaches, text genres, writing, listening, speaking, linguistics, phonics, word recognition, vocabulary development, spelling, fluency, and instructional resources.

THEOLOGY (THY)

THY 110 INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL LIFE (3 credit hours)

This course takes the student through the classic Catholic traditions on the spiritual life as the full flowering of Sanctifying Grace in the soul. It covers the three stages of the spiritual life-the Purgative Way; the Illuminative Way; and the Unitive Way- showing the transitions or conversions from one period to another. Additionally, the student learns the spiritual life's pitfalls; common mistakes; and experience of Saints who have gone before them.

THY 210 CONSTITUTIONS (3 credit hours)

This course teaches the student about the rules and principles which govern the Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas. The student learns about a rule of life and its benefits for both individual and community development.

THY 220 RELIGIOUS LIFE & VOWS I (3 credit hours)

The purpose of this course is to help students prepare themselves for the profession by instructing them on the fundamental principles of the religious state and the application of those principles relative to their vows.

THY 230 RELIGIOUS LIFE & VOWS II (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: THY 210 and 220

This course expands on the principles from THY 220 and goes into a much deeper understanding of the specific vows of the religious life.

THY 310 ASCETICAL & MYSTICAL THEOLOGY I (3 credit hours)

This course examines the nature of the soul, path to salvation, and strategies for strengthening one's union with God. It draws on Sacred Scripture in addition to the writings of spiritual leaders and saints, including Thomas Aquinas.

THY 320 ASCETICAL & MYSTICAL THEOLOGY II. (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: THY 310

This course continues and expands on Ascetical & Mystical Theology I. Together these courses provide a complete, practical, and orderly overview of all the questions concerning the spiritual life.

LANGUAGE (LAN)

LAN 110 LATIN I (3 credit hours)

This course enables students to handle simple readings and translations and covers: the declensions, various conjugations, rules of syntax, cases, and moods. It lays special emphasis for Latin specific for Sisters in communities that recite the psalms.

LAN 210 LATIN II (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: LAN 110

Continues skills begun in LAN110 with emphasis on acquiring a deep understanding of the Psalms in latin.

FINE ARTS (FIN)

FIN 210 GREGORIAN CHANT (3 credit hours)

This course covers the basics of sacred chant. Includes many exercises to help those who wish to chant learn scales, the various intervals, tonality, production of notes and everything required for proper singing of Gregorian Chant. Note, this course is spread throughout the student’s first 6 terms.

PHILOSOPHY (PHI)

PHI 110 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (3 credit hours)

This course is a comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of Christian Philosophy. The course is based on the teachings of the best scholastic authors and provides a clear and concise explanation of the key concepts and principles of Christian philosophy. It covers a wide range of topics, including the existence of God, the nature of the soul, the relationship between faith and reason, and the role of morality in human life.

PHI 120 ONTOLOGY I (3 credit hours)

This course covers the idea and analogy of being, the transcendentals, and the metaphysical principles and causes of being.

PHI 125 ONTOLOGY II (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: PHI 120

This course covers the various divisions of being – real vs logical, infinite vs finite, and substance vs accident.

PHI 140 PSYCHOLOGY I (3 credit hours)

This course covers the introduction to psychology and all aspects of minor psychology, including life in general, vegetive life, sentient life, and the origin of the species.

PHI 145 PSYCHOLOGY II (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: PHI 140

This course covers human life, human sentiency, the intellect, and the will.

PHI 150 ETHICS (3 credit hours)

Covers moral philosophy or the true direction of human acts in general, the special duties and rights of men viewed as individuals, and the duties and rights of men viewed as members of society.

PHI 160 DIALECTICS (3 credit hours)

This course covers the science of correct thinking, including simple apprehension of ideas in the mind, the comparison of ideas or judgment, and reasoning when the mind is unable to make a direct judgment.

PHI 130 NATURAL THEOLOGY (3 credit hours)

This course studies God and His attributes as far as they can be known by the light of reason. Specifically, it covers the proofs of the existence of God, the absolute attributes of God, and the relative attributes of God.

PHI 170 CRITERIOLOGY (3 credit hours)

This course covers the science of true and certain knowledge. It is broken in to three main sections: Knowledge, including sense and intellectual knowledge; Truth, including the nature of truth and the criterion of truth; and Certitude, including the nature of certitude, the existence of certitude and the certitude of sense knowledge, intellectual knowledge, and faith.

PHI 180 COSMOLOGY (3 credit hours)

This course covers the study of bodies. Students will learn he ultimate questions that may be asked about the bodily universe: What, in last analysis, is a body? Whence, in the ultimate view, do bodies come? Whither do bodies, by their connatural activities, tend ?

HISTORY (HIS)

HIS 110 MODERN ERRORS I (3 credit hours)

This is the first course that provides students with an intimate understanding of the philosophical and theological errors that have shaped the modern world. Beginning with the breakdown of the middle ages in the 14th century and ending in the present day, the course traces, explains, and refutes some of the most egregious philosophical and theological errors, as well as their root causes and their consequences.

HIS 120 MODERN ERRORS II (3 credit hours)

HIS 130 HISTORY OF EDUCATION (3 credit hours)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development of educational theory and practice from ancient civilizations to the present day, with a focus on the role of classical education and the influence of the Catholic tradition. Students will examine key figures, philosophical movements, and cultural contexts that have shaped the evolution of education, particularly within religious and classical frameworks. Topics include the educational systems of Greece and Rome, the development of monastic and cathedral schools, the Scholastic movement, the rise of the university, and modern educational reform. Special emphasis will be placed on how these historical models inform contemporary approaches to education in religious and classical settings.

MATH (MAT)

MAT 121 COLLEGE ALGEBRA (3 credit hours)

This course delves deeply into the practical, theoretical, and real-world applications of mathematical functions. This course thoroughly examines the symbolic, numerical, graphical, and narrative representations of functions.Throughout the course, there is a strong emphasis on problem-solving using symbolic, numerical, and graphical methods, with a focus on understanding the interconnections between these approaches in interpreting and analyzing outcomes. Students will explore a variety of function types including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. By the end of the course, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of how these functions operate and apply across different mathematical contexts.

MAT 210 STATISTICS I (3 credit hours)

This course provides an in-depth exploration of probability theory, focusing on key concepts such as sample spaces, random variables and their distributions, conditional probability, independence, and transformations of random variables. Students will engage in advanced study, examining the theoretical foundations and practical applications of these fundamental probabilistic principles.

COMPUTERS (CPU)

CPU 115 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (3 credit hours)

This course introduces students to major uses of computers for business applications. Topics include computer literacy and the use of industry-standard software packages for word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation graphics. 

EDUCATOR PREPAREDNESS (CORE)

EDU 240 FOUNDATIONS IN EDUCATION (3 credit hours)

This course covers the science and art of education and teaching. Its object is threefold: 1) to state the general principles that govern the normal development of the physical, intellectual, moral, religious, and social life of the child; 2) to show how these general principles are applied in school by the best methods and management, and 3)

to go over the specific philosophies and rules governing the teaching modern pupils using a classical approach.

EDU 330 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION (3 credit hours)

This course covers the Principles of the traditional Jesuit philosophy of educating youth -. Education’s theory and practice viewed in the light of modern educational issues and goals.

EDU 312 LITERACY THROUGH LEARNING (3 credit hours)

This course provides the student with an understanding of the integral role of reading, writing, and language across the curriculum, emphasizing the profound influence of literacy on various content areas. Students will cultivate strategies and proficiency in navigating pertinent content literature and leveraging technology for effective information acquisition and management. Through practical application, students will design and execute literacy-focused lessons tailored to accommodate diverse learner needs within specific content domains.

EDU 336 METHODS IN MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE INSTRUCTION (3 credit hours)

This course is dedicated to exploring effective methodologies and assessment strategies that elevate teaching in mathematics and science. It emphasizes integrated content, interdisciplinary teaching approaches, effective classroom management techniques, and in-depth examination of curriculum and assessment challenges.

EDU 350 METHODS IN LANGUAGE ARTS, SOCIAL STUDIES (3 credit hours)

This course offers a thorough exploration of the strategies and methodologies aligned with contemporary educational research and practice in language arts/literacy and social studies education. It provides students with multiple avenues to critically analyze, discuss, and reflect on the pivotal role of teachers in shaping curriculum and instruction. Special emphasis is placed on effectively engaging with diverse student populations and collaborating with their families to enhance learning outcomes. Through this course, students will develop a nuanced understanding of how to integrate best practices into their teaching approaches, fostering inclusive and impactful educational experiences.

EDU 418 READING ASSESSMENT & REMEDIAL STRATEGIES (3 credit hours)

This course prepares pre-service teachers to effectively utilize evidence-based literacy assessment tools and instructional strategies. Students will learn to assess students' literacy strengths and needs, plan interventions for enhanced literacy development, and implement strategies focused on early literacy, fluency, vocabulary instruction, and comprehension. Special emphasis is placed on diagnosing specific reading-related learning needs to equip educators with practical skills for supporting diverse learners in their classrooms.

EDU 420 METHODS IN CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTION (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to equip future educators with effective strategies for teaching catechism to children. Participants will learn proven methods for engaging young learners in catechetical instruction, emphasizing clear communication of foundational principles and values. Topics include curriculum development tailored to children's understanding, innovative teaching techniques, and creating an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment. The course also explores strategies for assessing children's comprehension and addressing diverse learning needs within a catechetical context, ensuring educators are well-prepared to foster spiritual growth and understanding in their students.

EDU 425 THE ART OF EFFECTIVE TEACHING I & II (12 credit hours)

This course encompasses essential professional knowledge for successfully teaching diverse learners, fostering their academic achievement. It emphasizes theories and practical strategies tailored to meet the needs of today's diverse student populations in public school settings. Topics covered include diversity awareness, effective planning methodologies, strategies for differentiated instruction and assessment, motivational approaches, and both formal and informal assessment techniques. Students will gain comprehensive insights and skills necessary to create inclusive and effective learning environments that support the success of all students.