Theology

Our courses address contemporary theological issues, ethics and moral life, prayer, spirituality and worship, and specialized topics such as Bible and justice, women theologians, and the Jewish and Black experiences.

Courses include introduction to the Sacraments, moral issues, theology and religion, Old Testament, and New Testament; the history of Christianity; theologies of liberation; Jewish literature; the Torah; peace and justice in comparative religions; and reconciliation and peacebuilding in Northern Ireland.

Committed Faculty
Our Faculty are very available. They have regular meetings with theology majors over dinner, movie nights, and other discussions. They will know who you are, what you want to do, and will be a resource for you for years to come.

Double major or Minor
Your theology degree is a great companion major. We have students pair theology with sociology, communications, nursing, pre-OT, pre-physical therapy, and more.

Study or serve in another country
When you major in Theology, you can study abroad. Students tell us these trips have changed their lives, their outlook on the world, and what they want to do after college. View locations

If you are adventurous with a deep personal drive to act and seek to be immersed in countries and cultures outside of your own, our Peace Corps Prep program will help you gain the intercultural skills you need for a life-changing service experience. This program makes you a stronger candidate for volunteer positions within the Peace Corps or other service programs.

Employers value the skills and cultural worldview you gain in Peace Corps, and best of all, most students can earn the Peace Corps certificate without taking extra courses.

Faith in Action
We give you opportunities to work with churches, human services agencies, educational organizations, and advocacy programs. SAU coordinates service trips to Appalachia and inner-city shelters to work with the less fortunate.

The Quad Cities community is an active supporter of the environment and for peace and justice. You can get involved with churches and affiliated groups and associations such as the Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Coalition, Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity, Churches United, and River Action.

You can go directly into ministry with a theology degree. We have graduates who teach religion, work in parishes, and serve in other types of ministry.

Many theologians pursue careers in social services or graduate studies in social work, theology, theater, and other areas.

Ana Kelsey-Powell '15 is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Court Street Methodist Church in Rockford, Ill.

Joseph Norris '12 is the Director of Mission Integration and Regional Ethics at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque. After Ambrose, Joseph earned master's degrees at Saint Louis University and Aquinas Institute of Theology.

Patrick Schmadeke '13 is continuing his Theology education as a Master of Divinity student at the University of Notre Dame.

Lisa Powell, PhD, Professor and Chair

Mara Adams, PhD, Professor
Matthew Coomber, PhD, Professor
Robert Grant, PhD, Professor
Argrow Evans-Ford, DMN, Adjunct Professor
Ella Johnson, PhD, Asst. Professor
Rabbi Henry Karp, Adjunct Professor
Micah Kiel, PhD, Professor

Majors must maintain a B average in theology courses with no grade lower than a C.

View Theology courses and descriptions in the online course catalog

Required:
+THEO 100 Just Theology
+THEO 110 Introduction to Moral Issues
+THEO 120 Introduction to Christian Faith
+THEO 130 Introduction to Scripture
THEO 499 Senior Seminar
6 additional credits at the 300-level or above
3 credits from Historical Theology:

+THEO 140 Historical Theology
+THEO 241 Ambrose of Milan
THEO 306 Medieval Women Mystics
+THEO 344 Rome and Christianity

Three credits from at least three of the following areas: Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual/Pastoral Theology

Systematic Theology:
+THEO 320 Jesus Christ: His Person and Mission
+WI-THEO 321 Theologies of Liberation
+WI-THEO 322 The Church: Its Meaning and Mission
+THEO 323 Problems of Faith
+THEO 325 Models of God

Biblical Theology:
+THEO 332 The Theology of the Synoptic Gospels
+THEO 333 Paul's Letters: Theology in Context
+THEO 334 Apocalypse: Then and Now
THEO 336 The Bible and the Arts
THEO 338 Bible in Political Thought
THEO 339 Hebrew Prophecy: Mysticism in Action

Moral Theology:
+THEO 310 Social Justice
+THEO 311 Environmental Ethics
+THEO 316 Peace and Justice in Comparative Religions
THEO 319 Bioethics and Health Care

Spiritual/Pastoral Theology:
THEO 303 Suffering/Compassion/Healing
THEO 305 Theology of Christian Marriage
THEO 306 Medieval Women Mystics

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.

The Clement and Mary Dunn Ecclesiastical Scholarship
This endowed scholarship for theology students at St. Ambrose University was established in memory of Clement and Mary Dunn, cousins to Reverend Edmond Dunn, who provided leadership and taught theology at St. Ambrose for more than 35 years. An inspiration to generations of Ambrosians, Fr. Dunn continues to be an active presence on campus and a champion for peace and social justice. The scholarship can to be awarded to students involved in intellectual formation and majoring in theology.

Scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 are available to students who want to study theology at St. Ambrose University. If you would like to be considered for a Clement and Mary Dunn Ecclesiastical Scholarship, please contact the Department Chair.