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Two students in a Catholic studies class having a discussion

“I shall do good; I shall do His work.” St. Newman

Department of Catholic Studies

In Catholic Studies, we are interested in everything.

That’s because everything is connected – literature, science, history, philosophy, theology, and the professions. That is why we explore the impact of the Incarnation on thought and culture in each of our courses and in our life together. And that is why you can thrive in your Catholic faith in college and develop life-long friendships as you prepare for a professional life of service.

More than 1,700 Catholic Studies alumni are leading purpose-driven lives as educators, business owners, medical professionals, engineers, lawyers, priests, and religious.

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Undergraduate Programs

Catholic studies is an integrated, interdisciplinary academic program for those who want to explore the things that matter most and, in the process, develop a more unified intellectual, spiritual and professional life.

Graduate Programs

All Catholic Studies graduate courses are offered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats. Our flexible model allows you to pursue graduate studies in a format that suits your life.

students walking into Sitzman Hall

Deepen Your Faith and Prepare for Your Future

An undergraduate program that is timeless, deep, authentic, joyful.

Scholarships

Guadalupe's Scholars Program Scholarships

This four-year leadership formation program for Catholic studies majors and minors also offers generous tuition scholarships based on merit and need.

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Catholic Studies Rome Semester Scholarships

Catholic studies majors and minors are eligible to apply for these generous scholarships to help offset living expenses while studying abroad.

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Catholic Studies Scholarships for First-Year Students

Competitive scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded to engaged high school students who have been admitted to St. Thomas and are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Catholic studies.

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Meeting His Gaze

Catholic Studies Rome Program

"Moses was staring at me as much as I was at him. And, while he was revealing himself, he was also revealing more of me to myself." - Aileen Shea '20

Meeting His Gaze
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy at sunset.

Catholic Studies in the World

A Tangle of Mind and Mercy

Catholic studies alumni are navigating the complex relationship of American and international law in order to serve God and the human person.

A Tangle of Mind and Mercy
Alumnus Jim Schultz in Frey Moot Courtroom

Path to College for Latino High School Students

Serving the community

Habiger Institute's Verso L'Alto fosters faith and intellectual growth for Latino Catholic high school students and opens a path to a college degree.

Verso L’Alto High School Program
Looking down at high school students sitting in pews looking at woman standing

Publications

Publications from Catholic Studies

The Heart of Culture provides a unifying perspective and a clear historical understanding of Catholic education as the lifeblood of Western culture.

Publications
Cover of the Heart of Culture book

Outside the Classroom

As the founding program of the Catholic studies movement in Catholic higher education, our program is internationally-recognized for its unified approach to learning inside and outside of the classroom.

St. Thomas Center for Catholic Studies university building

Center for Catholic Studies

The Center for Catholic Studies explores 2,000 years of Catholic thought and culture with students, faculty and the public in an integrated learning environment.

Center for Catholic Studies
Jesus pantokrator Byzantine icon

Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership

The Habiger Institute offers a range of leadership programs that builds the fortitude required to be faithful, ethical leaders in a complex world.

Habiger Institute
A student studies in her residence hall room.

Living Learning Communities

The Catholic Studies Living Learning Communities (Telos) are for all students who care about deep, lasting friendships and exploring the questions that matter most.

Living Learning Communities

Faculty

John Boyle Headshot

Dr. John Boyle

Professor and Chair of Catholic Studies

Dr. Boyle writes on Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More and published a lost work of Thomas Aquinas. A graduate of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, he has received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, the Aquinas Medal from the University of Dallas, and delivered the Aquinas Lecture at the National University of Ireland.
Dr. John Boyle
Erika Kidd Headshot

Dr. Erika Kidd

Associate Professor of Catholic Studies

Dr. Erika Kidd studied philosophy, Latin and great texts at Augustine College and Baylor University, and received her PhD in philosophy from Villanova University. She writes and speaks on St. Augustine and the Augustinian tradition. She is currently writing a book about how we can learn to hear the voice of God in our conversations with one another.
Dr. Erika Kidd
Mike Naughton Headshot

Dr. Michael J. Naughton

Professor and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies

Dr. Naughton is author, co-author and co-editor of 10 books and over 50 articles. His next coauthored book is called What We Hold in Trust: Rediscovering the Purpose of Catholic Higher Education (due out November 2020, The Catholic University of America Press, coauthors Don Briel and Ken Goodpaster).
Dr. Michael J. Naughton

Contact Information

Have a question? We would love to hear from you.

Mailing Address

Department of Catholic Studies
Mail 55-S
2115 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105-1096

Campus Location

Sitzmann Hall
Building address: 2055 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN
On the corner of Summit and Cleveland avenues