Bachelor of Arts in Theology
At UD, inquiry into God and his works begins especially in the core courses, Understanding the Bible and Western Theological Tradition. Theology majors are further inducted into this enterprise with upper-level courses, comprehensive exams, a senior seminar, and a senior thesis. Students apprentice great theological masters of the tradition—from biblical authors, saints and doctors, and other great thinkers up to our own times—as they seek to contemplate in an intellectual manner the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, and salvation history. This apprenticeship is both intellectually rigorous and faithful to the deposit of Catholic faith and the magisterium. The sequence of required courses and electives fosters a biblically and historically rich understanding, systematically precise reflections, and a morally sound grasp of living life well unto eternal life.
Basic Requirements
- Thirty-six credits in Theology, including Theology 1310, 2311, 3320, 3331, 3332, 3341, 4347 (Senior Seminar), 4348 (Senior Thesis), plus 12 credits of advanced theology electives, which include one O.T. and one N.T. course. In addition, three advanced credits in Philosophy beyond the Core Philosophy requirement. Only with approval of the department chair, a maximum of six advanced elective credits may be earned in appropriate courses in other departments.
- Senior Seminar (THE 4347) is taken Fall of Senior Year. Senior Thesis (THE 4348) is taken Spring of Senior Year. In this course, the student further develops the paper from Senior Seminar into a substantial research paper. The student also presents his or her paper to his peers in the form of an academic conference.
- A comprehensive examination, oral and written, to be taken in March/April of the Spring Semester senior year. The examining board is regularly to be composed of three professors, responsible for the courses of the major program designated by the Chair. The examination covers substantial topics, determined by regular faculty, representing courses in the major. Guidelines are available from the Department. The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to test: 1) close readings of the assigned texts, 2) knowledge of the key principles, terms, distinctions, 3) ability to form sound theological judgments on difficulties, including current issues, 4) capacity for integrating substantial theological topics, 5) ability to communicate acquired knowledge. Should the student fail the examination on its first offering there will be an opportunity for one reexamination shortly thereafter.
BA Theology Program Design
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All Degree plans are for informational purposes only. Official Degree Plans for graduation clearance will be conducted by the Registrar's Office.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS DEGREE PLAN FOR THEOLOGY MAJORS Bulletin used: 2025 - 2026
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Course name
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when taken
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credits
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Course name
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when taken
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credits
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CORE COURSES
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65
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REQUIRED THEOLOGY MAJOR COURSES |
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39
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ENG 1301: Lit Trad I
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3
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THE 1310: Under the Bible
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3
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ENG 1302: Lit Trad II
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3
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THE 2311: West Theo Trad (Rome)
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3
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ENG 2311: Lit Trad III (Rome)
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3
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THE 3320: Princ. of Cath Biblical Interpret.
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3
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ENG 2312: Lit Trad IV
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3
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THE 3331: Systematic Theology I
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3
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THE 3332: Systematic Theology II
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3
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HIS 1311: Am Civ I [F]
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3
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THE 3341: Moral Theology
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3
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HIS 1312: Am Civ II [S]
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3
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THE4347: Senior Seminar |
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3
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HIS 2301: Western Civ I (Rome)
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3
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THE 4348: Senior Thesis
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3
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HIS 2302: Western Civ II
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3
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THE Adv Elective: NT
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3
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THE Adv Elective: OT
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3
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PHI 1301: Phil & Ethical Life
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3
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THE Adv Elective:
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3
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PHI 2323: The Human Person (Rome)
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3
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THE Adv Elective:
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3
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PHI 3311: Phil of Being
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3
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Adv Philosophy:
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3
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Comprehensive Exam in March/April of the senior year. (With approval of the department, up to 6 adv. elective credits may be earned in appropriate courses in other departments.)
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For. lang.
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3
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For. lang.
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3
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For. lang.
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3
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For. lang.
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3
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ELECTIVES
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16
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Upper Level Elective
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3 |
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ECO 1311: Fund of Eco
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3
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Upper or Lower Level Elective
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3
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POL 1311: Princ of Amer Politics
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3
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Upper or Lower Level Elective
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3
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Fine Arts: (Rome)
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3
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Upper or Lower Level Elective
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3
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Math:
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3
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Upper or Lower Level Elective
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3
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BIO (3 Cr + Lab):
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4
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Upper or Lower Level Elective
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1 |
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Phys Sci. (3 Cr + Lab):
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4
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1. Advanced credits: Students must earn 38 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above, of which 26 must be earned at UD.
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2. Grades below C- in advanced courses in the major do not count toward fulfillment of the major requirement.
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3. A total of only 4 credits in 1-credit P/NP courses may count toward the 120 credits needed for graduation.
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4. The last 12 advanced credits in the major must be earned at UD.
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2025-2026
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Suggested Sequence of Courses
Year I
Fall Semester
| Art, Drama, Music, or Math | 3 |
| ENG 1301 | Literary Tradition I | 3 |
| HIS 1311 | American Civilization I | 3 |
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Language 1301
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| Or | |
Language 2311
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| PHI 1301 | Philosophy and the Ethical Life | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| Fine Arts or Math | 3 |
| ENG 1302 | Literary Tradition II | 3 |
| HIS 1312 | American Civilization II | 3 |
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Language 1302
| | 3 |
| Or | |
Language 2312
| | 3 |
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| THE 1310 | Understanding The Bible | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year II (During Sophomore Year)
| ENG 2311 | Literary Tradition III | 3 |
| ENG 2312 | Literary Tradition IV | 3 |
| HIS 2301 | Western Civilization I | 3 |
| HIS 2302 | Western Civilization II | 3 |
| PHI 2323 | The Human Person | 3 |
| THE 2311 | Western Theological Tradition | 3 |
| ECO 1311 | Fundamentals Of Economics | 3 |
| Language or Elective | 6 |
| Elective or Moral Theology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Year III
Fall Semester
| THE 3331 | Sys The I: God/Hum Exst | 3 |
| THE 3341 | Moral Theology | 3 |
| THE 3320 | Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| PHI 3311 | Philosophy of Being | 3 |
| Science Core w/Lab | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Moral Theology (if not yet taken)
Spring Semester
| THE 3332 | Sys The II:Christ/Church | 3 |
| POL 1311 | Principles Of American Politics | 3 |
| Science Core w/Lab | 4 |
THE
| New Testament Elective | 3 |
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year IV
Fall Semester
| THE 4347 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
THE
| Old Testament Elective or Other Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
The Spring requirements include THE 4348 Senior Thesis and also one Adv The Elective, totaling 6 credits. In addition, there will be Theology Senior Comps, as usual, but these will take place in March/April of the Spring semester).
| THE 4095 | Theology Senior Comps | 0 |
| THE 4348 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |