Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex

I had mentioned that a new school of theology is opening up. Here is the press release that hopefully will be making it’s way to your nearest Catholic News Outlet in the near future:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“St. John Institute of Catholic Thought announces opening of a new school of theology”

Champaign, IL   March 11, 2008 Catholic graduate education is coming to Central Illinois.  St. John Institute of Catholic Thought (ICT), an apostolate within St. John’s Catholic Newman Center, announced today that it will begin offering Master degree programs in theology beginning this fall at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center near the campus of the University of Illinois.

The programs will be offered through the ICT’s new school of theology, which is independent of the university. After applying to the Illinois Board of Higher Education last fall, the school of theology was granted operating authority and degree granting authority for two separate master degrees: a Master of Theological Studies for students wishing to pursue a doctoral degree, and a Master of Arts aimed at those wishing to serve the Church or those wanting to deepen their understanding of their Catholic faith. The degrees will require 48 and 42 hours of coursework, respectively.

The Master programs are a natural extension of the existing academic efforts of St. John Institute of Catholic Thought and St. John’s Catholic Newman Center. “For over 85 years, we have offered for-credit undergraduate courses in Catholic studies through the University of Illinois and Parkland College,” explained Fr. Greg Ketcham, Director and Head Chaplain of the Newman Center. “These graduate level programs will enable us to offer a fuller, more solid Catholic academic formation.”

ICT Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Kenneth Howell says the school of theology fills a significant void in central Illinois. The closest schools granting master degrees in Catholic theology are nearly 150 miles away. “A student would have to travel to South Bend, Chicago, or St. Louis to find other graduate programs in Catholic theology,” Howell says. He is already aware of several students who plan to begin studies this fall in Champaign.

The faculty of the ICT brings many years of combined experience to the new programs. The ICT faculty includes Dr. Howell, Dr. David Delaney, Associate Director and Fellow of the Institute, and Rev. Christopher Layden, S.T.L., Assistant Chaplain of the Newman Center. Additional faculty members include Dr. Douglas Grandon, a Church historian, and medical ethicist, Joseph Piccione, S.T.L..

In addition to the degree programs, the school of theology also plans to serve the greater diocese by offering certificate programs, including one for those without an undergraduate degree. These certificates will be well suited for catechists and others who want the benefit of the coursework but do not wish to do the additional work required for a degree. Future plans are to extend the school’s reach into Central Illinois by use of remote classrooms where instruction would be provided via video. The timing for the remote classrooms will be based upon obtaining the required funding.

The timing of the new degree offering comes amidst another significant expansion program at the nation’s largest Newman center. St. John’s is currently undergoing a $46M expansion and renovation of the Center which will be complete in August 2008. St. John’s Chapel and Newman Hall – the only Catholic residence hall on a public university campus in the county – will offer over 200,000 square feet of new facilities to better serve students. These expanded facilities will provide the classroom space, expanded library, and administrative offices for the Institute of Catholic Thought.

Admission into the ICT’s school of theology is now underway. More information can be found at www.ictsot.org.