Mexican American Catholic College
Undergraduate: Program Descriptions
Academics > Undergraduate: Program Descriptions
Curriculum Summary
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
Major: Philosophy
Curriculum Components
124 Semester Hours
The mission of the Mexican American Catholic College is accomplished through a holistic program that integrates the four elements of ministry formation – the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Co-Workers in the Vineyard, 2005). The Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree program specifically addresses the intellectual dimension of ministry formation through a four-year curriculum of 124 semester hours.
Philosophy Major: This program is geared toward seminarians and other students who plan to continue on to graduate theological and/or philosophical studies.
Minors: Two minors are possible. All philosophy majors will receive a theology minor. Those with 21 hours of Spanish will also receive a Spanish minor.
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
Major: Catholic Leadership
Curriculum Components
124 Semester Hours
Catholic Leadership Major: This program is designed for students who need education for pastoral ministry and administrative leadership especially in Hispanic and multicultural settings.
Minors: Two minors are possible. All Catholic Leadership majors will receive a Theology minor. Those with 21 hours of Spanish will also receive a Spanish minor.
The General Education Component – 32 hours
The General Education Component ensures that students are grounded in a broad, liberal arts core curriculum. Students must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of multidisciplinary courses in general education for graduation. While MACC does not offer all of these requirements at this time, we do require students to take a regimen of courses that will best prepare them for philosophical, theological, and pastoral studies. Following is the general education portion of the degree plan:
Philosophy Major
Ancient Languages (Latin and/or Greek) 6 hours
Classical Literature (Greek and Latin) 6 hours
Philosophy 3 hours
-PHIL 1310 Intro to Philosophy
Behavioral or Social Sciences 3 hours
Math 3 hours
History 6 hours
-World History
-Catholic History
Fine Arts 5 hours
-Liturgical Music
-Art & Architecture
Capstone course (3 hours)
Catholic Leadership Major
Ancient Languages (Latin and/or Greek)* 6 hours
Classical Literature (Greek and Latin) 6 hours
Philosophy 6 hours
-PHIL 1310 Intro to Philosophy
-PHIL 2321 Ancient Philosophy
Behavioral or Social Sciences 3 hours
Math 3 hours
History 6 hours
-World History
-Catholic History
Fine Arts 2 hours
Capstone course (3 hours)
*In consultation with the student’s academic advisor, the ancient language requirement may be substituted with other relevant electives.
Catholic Theology & Scripture Component – 36 hours
This component is the heart of the academic program providing a systematic study of the essential truths of the Catholic faith as revealed in Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition. They are designed to deepen catechesis and prepare students to teach the Catholic faith especially in Hispanic and multicultural settings. The core courses are an introduction to theological studies. Students are required to complete 13 courses in core areas of study identified by the USCCB for ministry formation.
13 Required Courses
THEO 1210 Introduction to Biblical Study
THEO 1241 Introduction to Liturgy
THEO 1320 Catholic Biblical Interpretation - Old Testament
THEO 1380 The Theology of the Creed: The Faith Professed
THEO 2332 Catholic Biblical Interpretation - New Testament
THEO 2340 Introduction to Dogmatic Theology
THEO 2382 Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated
THEO 3381 Christ and the Church
THEO 3383 Faith and Culture
THEO 3384 Moral Theology: The Faith Lived
THEO 3386 Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed
THEO 4288 Ecumenism & Inter-religious Dialogue
THEO 4250 Catholic Social Teaching
Elective Courses
THEO 3312 Sacred Art and Architecture
THEO 3345 Selected Topics in Theology and Scripture
THEO 4270 Popular Religiosity & Marian Devotion in Hispanic Culture
THEO 4272 The Theology of Hispanic Ministry
THEO 4274 Evangelization & the Virgin of Guadalupe
THEO 4276 Evangelization & the Eucharist
THEO 4334 Evangelization & the Writings of St. Paul
THEO 4336 Evangelization and Inculturating the Gospel
THEO 4348 Theology of the Body (may be taken as a capstone course)
PSTR 1242 Liturgical Music
Catholic Leadership Major – 35 hours
The courses for the Catholic Leadership Major are designed to teach principles and skills for effective leadership in a multicultural Church and Society. Students must complete 18 hours of required courses in Pastoral Studies and 17 hours of elective courses in Pastoral Studies, Theology and Scripture, or leadership in culturally diverse settings.
6 Required Courses
PSTR 1372 Cross-cultural Competencies for Pastoral Ministry
PSTR 2322 Faith Development & Catechesis in a Multicultural Context
PSTR 2373 Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century (Previously Mini Pastoral)
PSTR 3330 Canon Law for Ministry in a Multicultural Context
PSTR 3374 Stewardship & Financial Management for Catholic Leaders
PSTR 4378 Ethics and Accountability for Catholic Leaders
Elective Courses
PSTR 1242 Liturgical Music
PSTR 3140 Liturgical Leadership and Public Prayer
PSTR 3250 Health and Wholeness for Ministry
PSTR 3260 Selected Topics in Pastoral Studies
PSTR 4354 Sickness, Death, and Healing in Latino Cultures
PSTR 4376 Latino Youth & Young Adult Ministry
PSTR 4380 Supervised Field Education
PSTR 4382 Management and Human Resources for Catholic Leaders
Minor Degree Options
Spanish - 21 hours
In addition to course work in Spanish, some courses in the third and fourth years taught bilingually may be counted toward this minor for students who are learning Spanish as their second language.
Theology - 21 hours
The Theology minor is taken from the thirty-six hours of core courses in Theology and Scripture.
The Philosophy Major – 35 Hours
The Major in Philosophy provides a systematic study of philosophy within the Catholic intellectual tradition. The major in Philosophy entails 33 hours of required courses in Philosophy and 2 additional hours of elective courses in the relationship of philosophy to theology and culture.
9 Required Courses
PHIL 1310 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 1311 Introduction to Logic
PHIL 2321 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 2323 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 2342 Philosophy of Nature and Being
PHIL 3325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 3327 Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL 3363 Natural Theology
PHIL 3384 Epistemology
PHIL 4375 Philosophical Anthropology
PHIL 4383 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 4386 Philosophical Ethics
Elective Courses
PHIL 3380 Selected Topics in Philosophy
PHIL 4212 Philosophical Roots of U.S. Hispanic Culture
PHIL 4314 Philosophy and Religion in Latin America
PHIL 4382 Hermeneutics
Minor Degree Options
Spanish - 21 hours
In addition to course work in Spanish, courses in the third and fourth years are taught in Spanish for students who are learning Spanish as their second language.
Theology - 21 hours
The Theology minor is taken from the thirty-six hours of core courses in Theology and Scripture.
The Language Studies Component – 21 hours
MACC offers an array of courses and resources for the study of both English and Spanish. A central goal of the B.A. curriculum is that students achieve full literacy in both languages by graduation. The program follows a staged learning approach designed to increase the proportion of second language courses as students progress.
For those who need to develop their basic skills in their second language, the Freshman and Sophomore years incorporate a program oriented toward helping the student to achieve the ability to take courses in the second language. This includes four semesters (12 hours) of the second language with two, intensive 9 week summer immersion labs. The immersion sessions are integral to this program as they permit the student to more ably develop the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills required for graduation. All of these are courses are credit courses; however, only the second semester, sophomore course (ENGL/SPAN 2313 English IV/Spanish IV) may be applied toward the degree requirements.
All students will begin with courses that ensure language competency at the B.A. level in their native language. As the students progress, the course work will be accomplished in their respective second language. The goal is to achieve biliteracy by the end of the program. The following courses make up the curriculum for this component:
Propaedeutic Courses
ENGL/SPAN 1310 English I/ Spanish I
ENGL/SPAN 1311 English II/ Spanish II
ENGL/SPAN 1420 English/ Spanish Immersion Lab I
ENGL/SPAN 2312 English III/ Spanish III
ENGL/SPAN 2313 English IV/ Spanish IV
ENGL/SPAN 2421 English/ Spanish Immersion Lab II
Required Courses
ENGL/SPAN 1350 Composition I
ENGL/SPAN 2361 Literature I
ENGL/SPAN 3352 Composition II
ENGL/SPAN 3363 Literature II
ENGL/SPAN 4280 Research & Academic Writing
ENGL/SPAN 4370 Advanced Grammar
SPCH 4270 Public Speaking for Ministry - Bilingual Proclamation of the Word
SPCH 4272 Public Speaking for Ministry - Bilingual Presentation Skills (for lay students)
SPCH 4274 Public Speaking for Ministry - Preaching in a Bilingual Setting (for seminarians)
Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
Major: Philosophy (pre-theology)
Curriculum Components
64 semester hours
This is a two-year program designed for the student who has already earned an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) and desires a second bachelor degree.
Required Courses
THEOLOGY AND SCRIPTURE
THEO 1210 Introduction to Biblical Studies
THEO 1241 Introduction to Liturgy
THEO 1380 The Theology of the Creed: Faith Professed
THEO 2382 Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated
THEO 3312 Sacred Art & Architecture
THEO 3384 Moral Theology: The Faith Lived
THEO 3386 Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed
PHILOSOPHY CURRICULUM
PHIL 1310 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 1311 Introduction to Logic
PHIL 2321 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 2323 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 2342 Philosophy of Nature & Being
PHIL 3325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 3327 Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL 3363 Natural Theology
PHIL 3384 Epistemology
PHIL 4375 Philosophical Anthropology
PHIL 4383 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 4386 Philosophical Ethics
PHIL/THEO Elective
PHIL/THEO Elective
PHIL/THEO Elective
Pre-theology Certificate
52 semester hours
This is a two-year program designed for the student who has already earned an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) and desires a second bachelor degree.
The Pre-theology Certificate program is a two-year program designed for the student who desires a non-degree pre-theology program.
Required Courses
THEOLOGY AND SCRIPTURE
THEO 1210 Introduction to Biblical Studies
THEO 1241 Introduction to Liturgy
THEO 1380 The Theology of the Creed: Faith Professed
THEO 2382 Sacramental Theology: The Faith Celebrated
THEO 3384 Moral Theology: The Faith Lived
THEO 3386 Catholic Spiritual Traditions: The Faith Prayed
PHILOSOPHY CURRICULUM
PHIL 1310 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 1311 Introduction to Logic
PHIL 2321 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 2323 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 2342 Philosophy of Nature & Being
PHIL 3325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 3327 Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL 3363 Natural Theology
PHIL 3384 Epistemology
PHIL 4375 Philosophical Anthropology
PHIL 4383 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 4386 Philosophical Ethics
