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The Incarnation changes everything.

Catholic Studies Graduate Program

The Catholic Studies Graduate Program - Life Transformed

Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas is the first, largest, most defining program of its kind. It is a transformative opportunity to engage with the Catholic intellectual, spiritual, and cultural traditions while enriching your life, work, and sense of purpose. Our approach will help you see Christ in the wisdom you seek, the work you pursue, and the life you live.

Catholic Studies is interdisciplinary and humanistic. Our courses include literature, the arts, philosophy, history, theology, and science.

Whether you are full-time or part-time, and whether you attend classes in-person, online or a combination of both, you are part of an immersive, authentic study of Catholic thought and culture within a rigorous and supportive academic community.

Find the Right Program for You

All courses — taught by our nationally and internationally recognized teacher-scholars — can be counted toward our full MA degree. You can start with the Two-Course Study or the Graduate Certificate and finish with a full MA in Catholic Studies.

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

Our full-time and part-time MA students are from all walks of life: recent college graduates, teachers, doctors, businesspeople, and empty nesters. Our flexible format allows you to pursue a graduate degree and your work.

Program Overview

  • 33 credits
  • 10 courses
  • + Master's Essay

Application Requirements

  • CV or Résumé
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Online application (including scholarship considerations if applicable)
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • A 10-page writing sample (ideally in the humanities).
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

Our full-time and part-time MA students are from all walks of life: recent college graduates, teachers, doctors, businesspeople, and empty nesters. Our flexible format allows you to pursue a graduate degree and your work.

Program Overview

  • 33 credits
  • 10 courses
  • + Master's Essay

Application Requirements

  • CV or Résumé
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Online application (including scholarship considerations if applicable)
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • A 10-page writing sample (ideally in the humanities).
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

Our six-course certificate offers Catholic school educators a deep study of the Catholic tradition of education and helps them bring the resources of that tradition into their schools and into the lives of their students. The certificate builds upon the Two-Course Study and goes deeper into the study of Catholic identity and mission.

Program Overview

  • 18 credits
  • 5 courses
  • + Capstone Project

Application Requirements

  • CV or Résumé
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Online application (including scholarship considerations if applicable)
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • A 10-page writing sample (ideally in the humanities (philosophy, political science, literature, etc.)
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

Our six-course certificate offers Catholic school educators a deep study of the Catholic tradition of education and helps them bring the resources of that tradition into their schools and into the lives of their students. The certificate builds upon the Two-Course Study and goes deeper into the study of Catholic identity and mission.

Program Overview

  • 18 credits
  • 5 courses
  • + Capstone Project

Application Requirements

  • CV or Résumé
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Online application (including scholarship considerations if applicable)
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • A 10-page writing sample (ideally in the humanities (philosophy, political science, literature, etc.)
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

As a Catholic educator or administrator, you can start your graduate studies in the summer with our foundational courses “The Story of Catholic Education” and “Challenges in Pre-K – 12 Catholic Education." These courses can stand alone or be a first step towards the Six-Course Graduate Certificate. Both are designed to help you learn how to cultivate the Catholic identity and culture of your school.

Application Requirements

  • Online application
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

Find detailed information about the Two-Course Study in Catholic Education.

In-Person, Online, or Hybrid

As a Catholic educator or administrator, you can start your graduate studies in the summer with our foundational courses “The Story of Catholic Education” and “Challenges in Pre-K – 12 Catholic Education." These courses can stand alone or be a first step towards the Six-Course Graduate Certificate. Both are designed to help you learn how to cultivate the Catholic identity and culture of your school.

Application Requirements

  • Online application
  • A simple statement of interest (500 words)
  • Transcripts from all previous credit-granting institutions

More Information

Find detailed information about the Two-Course Study in Catholic Education.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

No additional scholarship application is required. Priority is given to full-time, in-person students, followed by: full-time online/hybrid students; part-time, in-person Catholic ministers, including Catholic school teachers; part-time, remote Catholic ministers, including Catholic school teachers. All Catholic Studies graduate applicants will be considered for financial support.

Many of our students need financial support to pursue a graduate degree in Catholic Studies. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, a limited number of generous partial and full-tuition scholarships are awarded each year on a competitive basis to full-time, degree-seeking, in-person students of exceptional promise. These Catholic Studies Scholar awards are renewable until completion of the degree.

To apply for Catholic Studies Scholarships, simply indicate your interest in your online graduate application by March 1.


Free and Flexible

The Murray Institute at the University of St. Thomas provides qualified parish and Catholic school employees a TUITION-FREE path to a graduate degree!

This scholarship award can be applied toward a Master of Arts in Catholic Studies (33 credits), a Graduate Certificate in Mission & Culture in Catholic Education (18 Credits), or a Two-Course Study in Catholic Education (6 credits).


Thanks to the generosity of Catholic Studies donors, Catholic school educators outside of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are eligible for generous tuition scholarship funding.


Paid Graduate Assistantships (4-10 hours/week) are available. Assistantships allow graduate students to work within the Department and Center for Catholic Studies on both scholarly and professional projects . They offer students a rewarding learning and professional development experience. Assistants might work on international conferences, help mentor students in our leadership programs, edit our academic journal or aid a faculty member in research for publishing, or other related work.


Murphy Scholars are involved in the full range of programming offered by the Murphy Institute, including public events, private faculty seminars and roundtables. They engage with the Institute's nationally and internationally recognized guests and participate in special Institute projects throughout the year according to their academic focus and scholarly interest.

Students enrolled full-time in the JD or MA in Catholic Studies program are eligible to apply. Students must also be in residence. Murphy Scholars receive a $2,000 stipend ($1,000 per semester).


Course Offerings

Our graduate courses introduce you to a breadth of more than two thousand years of Catholic thought and culture through the interdisciplinary way of thinking central to Catholic Studies.

Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog

The CAS Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog outlines requirements and policies for students in our graduate programs and compiles information on all of the college's graduate courses. Any issues not mentioned in this handbook are governed by general University of St. Thomas Graduate Policies.