6 Week MA Courses
Take accelerated MA courses this summer.
6 Week MA Studies
June 26 – August 4, 2022
Christendom College offers a residential Graduate Summer Program for those students who wish to pursue graduate theological studies during the summer. It is held at the main Christendom College campus just outside of Front Royal, Virginia, enabling people from all over the United States and abroad to attend the Christendom Graduate School. This program is popular with students who are not able to move to the Northern Virginia area for the regular (fall/spring) graduate program, and with teachers and others who have summers off from work.
Course Offerings
PHIL 602/Philosophy of God and Man
Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm, Wednesdays 8:45-11:15 am | Dr. Stephen Hipp
A study of Thomas Aquinas’s metaphysics and anthropology, based on the Summa Theologiae. Includes the proofs of the existence of God; the relations between essence and esse in creatures and in God; the attributes of God; human nature; knowledge, emotions and will; the spirituality, subsistence and immortality of the human soul; the union of soul and body, and the concept of personhood. 3 credits.
EDUC 602/The Catechetical Tradition
Tuesdays, Fridays 8:45-11:15 am | Prof. David Wallace
The theology and history of evangelization and catechesis; the methods, models and experiences of evangelization and catechesis from Biblical times throughout the history of the Church; the teachings and normative directives of the Church on evangelization and catechesis. 3 credits.
SCRI 606/Old Testament
Mondays, Thursdays: 8:45 am – 11:15 am | Dr. Andrew Montanaro
This course entails a study of the Old Testament canon as being fulfilled in the New Testament. Special focus will be on the revelatory stages of salvation history, on biblical typology and prophecy, and on other teachings taught explicitly in these books and through the examples of Old Testament figures. In this course, students will be introduced to Catholic hermeneutical principles and will interpret biblical texts using careful analysis aided by commentators, especially those in the Catholic tradition. 3 credits.
HIST 610/Church History, Part I
Mondays, Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm | Dr. Hugh O’Donnell
A survey of the history of the Church from its Apostolic origins through the Middle Ages, with special emphasis on theological issues and the contributions of the Church to culture and civilization. Includes the development of the early Church, major councils of the Church, the Monastic tradition, the Eastern Schism, the rise of Islam, and the Crusades. 3 credits.
THEO 720/Theological Anthropology
Tuesdays, Thursdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm | Dr. Joseph Arias
This course examines the biblical roots and theological tradition of the study of the human person, the origins of mankind and the nature of the human person as a free and acting subject, Jesus Christ as the archetype and perfection of humanity, the concept of man and woman as image of God, the unity in sexual difference, and the nuptial meaning of the body. The course will also examine briefly the question of the end of man and the relationship between nature and grace. 3 credits.
THEO 807/Miracles, God, Revelation, and Reason: Philosophical Foundations of Faith
Mondays, Wednesdays 6:30 – 9:00 pm | Dr. Robert J. Matava
Does God exist? How can he be known and meaningfully spoken about—or spoken to? Students in this course will explore the philosophical foundations of Catholic faith by asking the “big questions.” What do we know about allegedly miraculous phenomena and how do we rationally account for them? What are the strongest arguments against the existence of the Creator, and how ought one to respond? Why should the canon of Scripture be trusted as God’s word? How can believers make sense of providence, human origins, freedom, the soul, suffering, and nature in the age of science, historical consciousness, and modern philosophy? 3 credits.
Cost to Attend
GRADUATE CREDIT TUITION: $455/credit ($1,365 for 3 credit course)
AUDIT TUITION: $173/credit – $135/credit for religious, seniors, catechists
ROOM AND BOARD: $2000.00
REGISTRATION FEE: $100 per semester
(early registration – April 15)
TECHNOLOGY FEE: $100 per online course
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Admissions fee: $65
Course Reactivation fee: $300
Directed (Independent) Study fee: $300
Comprehensive Exam fee: $100
All credit card payments are subjected to a 3% convenience fee.
If signing up through Populi, please note that the cost of Room and Board will be invoiced after registration.
Campus Accommodations
Summer program accommodations are simple, standard college dormitory facilities. They are furnished with twin beds, desks, dressers, chairs, and small closets with a few clothes hangers. We provide all residents with the following:
- two twin sheets
- one pillow
- one pillowcase
- one mattress pad
- one light-weight blanket
- one bath towel
- two hand towels
- one washcloth
The towels are small and some students like to bring extras. You may also wish to bring an additional pillow or blanket. Laundry facilities are in the dormitory and are available to students free of charge.
Roommates
Whenever possible, students taking courses for credit are given single rooms to facilitate deep study. Religious participants generally share rooms with those from their own religious order. Audit students will be paired with a roommate. To request a particular roommate, please write the name of the individual with whom you wish to share a room by emailing the Graduate School at graduate.school@christendom.edu by June 1. No roommate requests can be accommodated after June 1.
Safety & Security Information
On every wing and floor of each dormitory, bulletin boards can be found with general information such as emergency contact numbers, directions to medical facilities, local maps, etc. For your safety, a security officer is on patrol across campus each night. Dormitories are accessible only by key cards, which will be issued to students upon arrival on campus. Students will receive more information on safety and security during the student orientation, and a staff member will be available for questions.
Accessibility Accommodations
Students are welcome to disclose any physical limitation or restriction that may affect their stay or require special attention by emailing the Graduate School at graduate.school@christendom.edu. We will place students in rooms that are appropriate for their needs.
Please Note: Christendom is a walking campus. Although the campus is not large, students need to be able to walk to and from buildings or to provide their own transportation. The dining and classroom facilities are all handicap accessible.
All residential registrations and special requests MUST be received by June 1. Accommodations after this date cannot be guaranteed as space is limited and housing assignments are locked in by early June.
Transportation to/from Campus
Shuttle Service
Christendom College’s undergraduate campus is located in Front Royal, VA, about an hour and a half outside of Washington, D.C. Christendom College offers shuttle service to and from Dulles International Airport (IAD) and the Vienna Metro Station (Orange Line) at the beginning and end of every summer session according to the dates and times.
Shuttle Schedule
I. Shuttle Arrivals: Picks up from Dulles Airport or Vienna Metro Station
Sunday Shuttles Prior to Program Start
- Shuttle #1: Pick up at Dulles 12:00 pm; Pickup at Vienna Metro Station 12:30 pm
- Shuttle #2: Pick up at Dulles 5:00 pm; Pickup at Vienna Metro Station 5:30 pm
II. Shuttle Departures: Drops off at Dulles Airport or Vienna Metro Station
Friday Evening Following End of Program
- Shuttle: Leaves campus 4:00 pm
Saturday Morning Following End of Program
- Shuttle: Leaves campus at 6:00 am
SIGN UP FOR THE SHUTTLE SERVICE
Please Note:
- There is no additional charge to students who travel on the shuttles within these time-frames.
- Requests outside of set shuttle times cannot be accommodated by the Christendom shuttle service.
- Shuttle services must be requested for each individual person traveling in your party at least three weeks prior to pick up.
- We will send an email within 5 days before a student’s arrival, confirming the time and place of the van pick-up, and the driver’s name and cell phone number.
- You MUST contact the transportation office at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel you shuttle reservation.
- For questions about the shuttle services please contact the transportation office at 540-551-9170 .
Please Note: Pick-up and Drop-off times are only estimations depending on traffic. The Transportation Department allots extra time for all shuttle services, but cannot promise that shuttles will arrive at the specific time. For this reason, it is very important that the transportation office has a way to contact you. Please be sure to log an email address AND, more importantly, a cell phone number where the driver can reach you in case there is a delay.
Shuttle service urgent situations
- College Delay: If the college must delay a shuttle due to inclement weather, a staff member from the Transportation Office will contact all students scheduled for shuttles on their cellphones. For this reason, the Transportation Office requires that all students using shuttle service submit their cellphone numbers when requesting a shuttle.
- Student Flight Delay: Should your flight be delayed, please call the Transportation Office phone number at 540-551-9170. If outside of business hours, please listen to the voicemail recording for instructions on how to reach a staff member via cellphone. If you have a last-minute delay, please call your van driver. Christendom Transportation cannot promise to provide shuttle service for all delayed flights, but will do its best to provide adequate service.
Parking on Campus
For those who plan to park on campus, there will be a lot available close to the dormitories. Because of limited space across campus, we ask that those planning to drive get in touch with us (703-658-4304 | graduate.school@christendom.edu) at the time of registration so that we can ensure a parking space for you.
Food Service
Meals & Special Dietary Accommodations
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily at St. Lawrence Commons. The cost of meals is included in the room and board charge for those residing on campus. Students with allergies and dietary are encouraged to disclose these to the Graduate School.
Christendom College is committed to providing safe and healthy dietary accommodations to students with food allergies, food sensitivities, and unique dietary needs. Students are free to navigate the dining Commons themselves, as menus are displayed in each food line listing ingredient information for main allergens. If a student is ever in doubt about ingredients or allergens in a meal, he should ask our Executive Chef or a Kitchen Staff member. If the student requires specially prepared meals, the College offers the following dietary accommodations:
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- Soy-free
- Shellfish/fish-free
While we make every effort to prepare all allergen-free menu items as safe as possible, we are a facility that uses allergens in other areas of our space, and no kitchen is guaranteed to be completely allergy-free. A severe allergy, such as anaphylaxis, is not able to be accommodated.
Students with special dietary needs are encouraged to follow this link for more information: https://www.christendom.edu/campus-life/student-services/dining-services/st-lawrence-commons-special-services/
Non-Residential Students
- Please contact Executive Chef Don Higby in person or by email at donald.higby@christendom.edu (preferably with a week's notice) before you plan to eat on campus. If you plan to regularly dine in the Commons during the semester, please communicate your schedule to the Chef.
- Individual meal prices for non-resident students and guests are $9 per meal.
Christ the King Chapel
At the center of Christendom's community, Christ the King chapel provides a beautiful setting for liturgy and worship. The Sacraments are celebrated frequently, and the chapel is a peaceful setting for individual prayer.
Christendom offers daily Mass and Confession. During the Vita Consecrata Institute (July 3 - July 28), an additional morning Mass will be celebrated, along with daily Liturgy of the Hours and Exposition and Benediction.
Christendom's Sunday Mass is offered in Christ the King Chapel at 10:00 AM.
The Christendom Chaplain (Fr. Marcus Pollard) is available to graduate students for any spiritual needs; students can contact him at the rectory (540-622-6128) or by email fr.pollard@christendom.edu.
Other Campus Facilities
St. John the Evangelist Library
The St. John the Evangelist Library is the center of the academic life of the Christendom College campus, and has a collection of more than 90,000 volumes specifically designed to serve and support the intellectual and spiritual formation of the students, faculty, administration, and staff. With this in mind, the library aims to provide an uplifting atmosphere and excellent instructional, reference, and collection services.
Students participating in the graduate school's summer residential programs are able to check out books from the library and use available spaces for quiet study. Additional information about the library's services and collection may be found on the library webpage.
Crusader Gymnasium
The gymnasium is located near the Library and Saint Clare's dorm and overlooks the Shenandoah River. The 20,000 square-foot structure features:
- Full size collegiate basketball court including side practice baskets
- Regulation volleyball court with 2 practice courts
- Full size (2) racquetball/handball courts
- Fully functional weight room with free weights, strength machines, bench stations, and 2 multi-use machines
- Fitness and cardio room equipped with treadmills, elliptical, free weights, medicine balls and mats
- Student TV lounge with snack machines
- 2 locker rooms with bathrooms and showers
Access to kayaks and canoes for use on the Shenandoah River is also available through the gym. Information on how to sign up will be provided during orientation.
Campus Map
A campus map is available for download here: Campus Map (pdf). There are many scenic walkways and sights to explore on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I arrive at and depart from campus?
There will be a mandatory orientation session at 6:30 pm on Sunday, June 26. Students should plan to arrive before then.
Dorms must be vacated no later than 10:00 am on the Saturday following the conclusion of each program to make room for any other attendees who are arriving (for example, VCI Session I participants must clear the room for VCI Session II participants).
2. If I am local to Christendom, can I attend classes without staying on campus?
Commuting students are more than welcome to attend classes. Please be sure to touch base with the Graduate School so that parking and food services may be appropriately arranged. Non-resident students should still attend orientation.
3. Is Christendom close to town?
Christendom is located roughly 5 miles from the town center of Front Royal. There are limited public transportation options from campus to town. A free shuttle service will run from campus to town once a week.
4. Can I receive mail while I am attending?
Students may receive mail at 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA, 22630. Mail is distributed to resident students and faculty during the noon meal by Walter Janaro, Christendom College's Registrar. Students may give Walter outgoing mail at that time, or may drop off at his office in Regina Coeli. Postage can be purchased from Walter. In an emergency, a message may be left for a student at the college toll-free number: 800-877-5456.
5. What kind of activities are there to do during my stay?
Christendom has many beautiful hiking trails in the forest overlooking the Shenandoah River; we highly recommend that students take time to enjoy the scenery. The gym features racquetball and basketball courts, and the campus also has a tennis court which may be used by anyone (please note the equipment for tennis is not provided). The St. John the Evangelist Library offers a relaxing environment in which to study and read.
6. Does St. Lawrence Commons provide gluten-free/dairy-free eating options?
Students with any allergy concerns or other dietary requirements are encouraged to reach out to contact the kitchen (donald.higby@christendom.edu) with any restrictions and check out the St. Lawrence Commons Special Services page.
7. When is the last day to sign up for a residential program?
While commuting students can sign up for classes up until the day of when class begins, students are encouraged to sign up by May 15th. Residential students must sign up by May 31.
8. Can I take online courses and attend the summer residential program at the same time?
Yes, some students choose to double up on their course load over the summer by taking both online and onsite courses. The online semester will run from May 15 - August 12 (a much longer semester than that of the 6 week program).
9. Is there a dress code?
Dress for classes and meals is business casual, but we ask that no shorts be worn at Mass. Summers in Virginia tend to be hot and humid. As such, each of the buildings is air-conditioned and some can be quite cool. We encourage students to also pack clothing that can be worn to enjoy the outdoors.
10. Is there internet on campus?
The dormitories, library, gym, and student center will have Wi-Fi connections available. The library has computer labs that students may use during open hours.