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Shaping contemporary culture
Center for
Thomistic Studies
The University of St. Thomas Center for Thomistic Studies is the only philosophy program in the United States uniquely focused on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. Thomistic Studies takes inspiration from the Church’s insistence upon the perennial value of the thought of Aquinas especially as expressed in the encyclical letters Aeterni Patris (1879) and Fides et Ratio (1998). In Aeterni Patris, Pope Leo XIII called for a general renewal to the study of the philosophical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. In Fides et Ratio, Pope St. John Paul II reiterated this message and called for a re-commitment on the part of philosophers and theologians to the study of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, tempered to fit the needs of the 21st century.
Thomistic Studies is committed to meet the challenges and realize the opportunities indicated by Pope St. John Paul II, striving toward the dawn of a new age in philosophy and intellectual culture. Following the model employed in the writings of Aquinas, the Center seeks the truth through a constructive cross-cultural dialogue. Our students and faculty pursue a living Thomism, drawing from tradition and engaging contemporary culture in order to shape the future.
Our Curriculum
Programs of Study
Grounded in philosophy and theology and shaped by classical inquiry, the Center for Thomistic Studies offers a Master’s degree program and Doctoral degree program. Both encourage interdisciplinary engagement across metaphysics, ethics, natural law, and theology. Students develop habits of disciplined thinking and analysis that support advanced study and scholarly research.
Academic Programs
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Faith and Academic Study
Center for Thomistic Studies Leadership
Steven Jensen
Under the leadership of Steven Jensen, the Center for Thomistic Studies approaches education as a rigorous intellectual tradition grounded in truth, reason, and faith.
Student Experience
Studying Within a
Living Tradition
Students in the Center for Thomistic Studies participate in an academic environment shaped by close reading, dialogue, and scholarly mentorship. Learning is supported through seminars, lectures, and opportunities to engage with visiting scholars and academic conferences.
- Seminar-based coursework focused on classical texts
- Faculty mentorship supporting philosophical and theological inquiry
- Opportunities for lectures, symposia, and scholarly engagement
- Weekly colloquia series featuring faculty and scholars from UST and other institutions
Program Overview
Considering Thomistic Studies at UST?
Find answers to common questions about curriculum focus, academic pathways, and student experience within Thomistic Studies.
What is Thomistic Studies?
Thomistic Studies focuses on the philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, emphasizing his approach to metaphysics, ethics, natural law, and the relationship between faith and reason.
Who should consider Thomistic Studies?
The program is well suited for students interested in philosophy, theology, law, ethics, and graduate study. It appeals to students seeking rigorous engagement with classical texts and enduring intellectual questions.
Is Thomistic Studies only for theology majors?
No. Thomistic Studies complements a wide range of majors and is open to students across disciplines who are interested in philosophical and theological inquiry.
How does the program support advanced study?
Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, seminar-style learning, and opportunities to engage with scholars through lectures and academic events hosted by the Center for Thomistic Studies.
How is Thomistic Studies grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition?
The program engages Aquinas as a central figure within the Catholic intellectual tradition while encouraging careful scholarship and thoughtful dialogue within an academic setting.
Honored by leading
Lectures and Media
The University of St. Thomas is nationally recognized for academic excellence, mission-driven education, and student success by leading accreditation and ranking organizations.
Join Our Community
Aquinas Lecture Series
Each year, the Center for Thomistic Studies’ Aquinas Lecture brings a distinguished member of the philosophical community to the University of St. Thomas for a talk which displays the great resources of the Thomistic philosophical tradition, either by addressing a subject directly related to the writings of St. Thomas or some other figure in the tradition, or by addressing more systematically a question of enduring philosophical importance. Among the Aquinas Lecturers the Center has had the privilege of hosting are such renowned thinkers as Henry Veatch, Joseph Owens, Elizabeth Anscombe, Peter Geach, Janet Smith, Alasdair MacIntyre, Germain Grisez, Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Msgr. John F. Wippel, Fr. Leo J. Elders, SVD, and Archbishop J. Michael Miller.