Aquinas@Home
A new program that enables you to complete a degree from home!
Two new start dates: January 14 or June 2, 2008
What is Aquinas@Home?
Aquinas@Home is a new master's degree program that will enable you to keep pace with your very full life and still have time for a fulfilled life. It is based on years of experience with similar programs and designed for busy adults who want to improve ministry skills, earn academic credentials or prepare for full-time ministry.
Through a combination of readings, online conversations with faculty and students, assignments posted on the web, and intensive sessions in St. Louis, you can complete a degree without turning your life upside down! Aquinas@Home even allows you to complete supervised ministry experiences at a location near you.
Aquinas@Home meets the U.S. Bishops' recommendations for lay ecclesial minstry training and has received preliminary approval from the Association of Theological Schools. This program will prepare you to serve as a minister or administrator in parishes and diocesan offices as well as minister in Catholic health care and education. You will discern and engage your unique gifts as a baptized person and discover a deep and rich faith tradition through graduate-level study. Through spiritual formation and supervised ministry experiences customized to your interests, you will grow personally while you grow professionally.
How long will this take?
Aquinas@Home allows you to take four or five classes per year and complete your degree in 46 months.
What will the schedule be like?
Most of your study will take place online, in an active learning community of about 20 adults. You will take one course at a time. Each course lasts 8 to 10 weeks and consists of three components:
Online pre-study: Coursework begins with assigned readings, posted online discussions and synchronous meetings between professor and students online. Faculty post the course syllabus, other resources and announcements on the course web site. Course materials are posted in manageable one-week lessons; students are expected to complete the assignments as directed each week.
Intensive session:The heart of each course is an intensive session at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. This experience brings students and professor together from Thursday evening through Saturday morning. The session includes interaction with Aquinas faculty, lectures, prayer and spiritual formation. Typical intensive sessions might look like this:
- Online post-study: Students continue their online study and research after the intensive session. Each week, students complete reading and writing assignments and engage in guided discussion sessions on the internet. On a designated date, students submit a final project or take a course exam. After a break of several weeks, the next class begins. Classes are scheduled to avoid major holidays and to allow time off during the summer.
| Spring and Fall Semesters | |
|---|---|
| Thursday: | 7:00–9:00 p.m. |
| Friday: | 8:00 a.m. Prayer |
| Saturday: | 8:00 a.m. Prayer 8:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Coursework |
Summer Intensives |
|
| Tuesday: | 7:00–9:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday & Thursday: | 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
| Friday: | 8:00 a.m. Prayer |
| Saturday: | 8:00 a.m. Prayer |
What is so unique about this program of studies?
Aquinas@Home is based on a traditional
theological curriculum that includes coursework in Biblical
studies, theology, pastoral theology and ministry skills. In addition to a strong academic program, with guidance from
a highly qualified and experienced faculty, Aquinas @Home is unique in
that it includes supervised ministry experiences and ongoing spiritual
formation designed with your specific ministry goals in mind.
When will the Aquinas@Home program start?
In order to accommodate the
schedules of potential students, the first learning cohort of the Aquinas@Home
program will be launched on two separate dates, January 14, 2008,
and June 2, 2008. Students beginning in January will have a brief hiatus
in their program while a second group of students begin their studies in June.
These two groups will meet together for their Formative Spirituality session
(June 24-26) and then will engage in the remainder of the program together as
of August 25, 2008.
Year |
Course Title |
Credits |
Course Dates |
Intensive Dates |
|
2008 |
Proseminar A |
2 |
Jan. 14 – March 8 |
Feb. 7-9 |
|
Bible Interpretation A |
3 |
March 10 – May 10 |
April 10-12 |
|
|
Proseminar B |
2 |
June 2 – July 26 |
June 24-28 |
|
|
Bible Interpretation B |
3 |
Aug. 25 – Oct. 18 |
Sept. 18-20 |
|
|
Introduction to Theology |
3 |
Oct. 20 – Dec. 13 |
Nov. 20-22 |
|
|
2009 |
Hebrew Scriptures |
2 |
Jan. 12 – March 7 |
Feb. 5-7 |
|
Christian Scriptures |
2 |
March 9 – May 9 |
April 2-4 |
|
|
Critical Moments in Church History |
3 |
June 1 – July 25 |
June 23-27 |
|
|
Christology & Christian Anthro. |
3 |
Aug. 17 – Oct. 10 |
Sept. 10-12 |
|
|
Theology of Church & Ministry |
3 |
Oct. 12 – Dec. 5 |
Nov. 5-7 |
|
|
2010 |
Theology of Worship |
2 |
Jan. 11 – March 6 |
Feb. 4-6 |
|
Foundations of Catholic Morality |
3 |
March 8 – May 8 |
April 8-10 |
|
|
Supervised Practice of Ministry I |
3 |
May 31 – July 24 |
June 22-26 |
|
|
Supervised Practice of Ministry II |
3 |
Aug. 16 – Oct. 9 |
Sept. 9-11 |
|
|
Proclamation for Evangelization |
2 |
Oct. 11 – Dec. 4 |
Nov. 4-6 |
|
|
2011 |
Pastoral Counseling |
2 |
Jan. 10 – March 5 |
Feb. 3-5 |
|
Contemporary Moral Issues |
2 |
March 7 – May 7 |
March 31-April 2 |
|
|
Sacraments in Contemporary Life |
2 |
June 6 – July 30 |
June 21-25 |
|
|
Canon Law: Parish Administration |
2 |
Aug. 15 – Oct. 8 |
Sept. 8-10 |
|
|
Theology of God |
2 |
Oct. 10 – Dec. 3 |
Nov. 3-5 |
|
|
2012 |
Contextual Issues in American Christianity |
2 |
Jan. 9 – March 3 |
Feb. 2-4 |
|
Integrative Seminar |
2 |
March 5 – April 28 |
March 29-31 |
What will it cost?
The Aquinas@Home program follows our regular tuition schedule
for degree-seeking students. Scholarships and grants are available up to 50
percent of tuition for qualified students. Tuition is billed as you take each
course, so you can pay as you go, one course at a time. Cross-registration into
Saint Louis University also may be possible. Other expenses include books,
housing (for the intensives) and travel, which vary depending on how far you
live from St. Louis. Federal loans may also be available, and many of our
students receive reimbursement or partial assistance from their parishes or
dioceses. Aquinas will be happy to help you begin a process for such
assistance. To apply for financial aid, contact the Office of Admissions; call
314.256.8806 or 1.800.977.3869, or email admissions@ai.edu.
Aquinas@Home students will have an option for room and board. If a student has local housing and transportation available, that can lower expenses.
How do I know if this program is for me?
We can help you begin a process of discernment that will enable you to assess
your own gifts, resources and ministerial goals and determine whether this
program is for you. We can also put you in touch with other Aquinas Institute
students who are enrolled in similar programs and can give you an uncensored
opinion of the quality and feasibility of the degree program.
Please begin a discernment process with us.
If you would like to explore Aquinas@Home further, please fill out the questionnaire below and press submit. Someone from our Admissions Office will contact you to invite your to COME & SEE Aquinas.