History of Jackson Extension

Jackson was the first site where Spring Hill College offered graduate level theological education.  Bishop Brunini invited Spring Hill to Jackson in 1982 to provide programs in support of lay leadership in the diocese, and we are proud to continue that relationship today.  Classes are held at St. Joseph High School in Madison.  Students can earn the Master of Theological Studies (MTS), Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS), Master of Arts in Theology (MA) the Bachelor of Arts in Theology (BA) or the Certificate of Theological Studies (CTS) at the Jackson site.  All classes are offered at the graduate and undergraduate course levels.

Theological Studies offer a well-defined and flexible educational program which allows for the diverse goals of individual applicants. The graduate programs in theology and ministry can serve the needs of the following constituencies:

1. Those desiring to teach Theology at the secondary level.
2. Those desiring to prepare for new areas of ministry, e.g., religious education or liturgical ministry.
3. Those seeking theological updating or continuing education, e.g., ministers or clergy, teachers, etc.
4. Those desiring to reflect on their ministries or freshen their grasp of current theological trends.

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Tuition

Current tuition and fees.

Course Offerings

Summer 2009

Summer Institute of Christian Spirituality in Mobile and Atlanta

Fall 2009

THL544/342  (Historical/Pastoral)
Theology of Church (Vat. II)
Dr. John Switzer
6 Saturdays - Aug. 29; Sept. 19; Oct. 3, 17; Nov. 7, 21 (9am-4pm)

Course description:
Believers have referred to the Church by many titles:  Mother, Sacrament, Pilgrim, Bride, Womb of Deification, Dangerous Memory of Jesus Christ.  During our time together we will explore in a very "catholic" way the significance of the Church's self-understanding, especially with regard to soteriology (salvation).  The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) will serve as a focus and case study.  It was not only a "watershed event" for the Roman Catholic Church, but one of the most significant religious events of the twentieth century.  It has had profound influence upon every aspect of the faith and life of the Church and it has been a cause of both inspiration and conflict.  In this class we'll study the cultural shifts and events that caused the convening of this august body and we'll seek to understand the ideologies that struggled for expression in its documents.  Specifically, we'll explore some of these documents as our primary texts in order to elucidate the changes they produced in the Church and the accompanying interpretations they inspired.

About Dr. John Switzer:
John Switzer is Assistant Professor of Theology at Spring Hill College, and is the Director of Graduate Programs in Theology and Ministry.  He is also the 2008-2009 Edward B. Moody, SJ, Teacher of the Year.  In 2006 he completed the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in theology and education at Boston College.  His primary areas of interest include historical, comparative, and pastoral theology as well as issues revolving around the challenge of interreligious understanding.  A popular speaker in churches and parishes throughout the southeast, his articles on theological, pastoral, and intercultural issues have appeared in numerous publications, including U.S. Catholic and National Catholic Reporter.  He is the author of two articles in the Encyclopedia of Love in the World Religions published by ABC-CLIO.

Spring 2010

THL539/431 (Biblical)
Widsom Literature
Dr. Donald Berry
6 Saturdays - Dec. 5, 12; Jan. 9, 23, 30; Feb. 13 (9am-4pm)

Course description:
An introduction to the literary forms, theology and history of the Psalms with some attention to the general nature of ancient Hebrew poetry.  Consideration is given to the liturgical usage of the Psalms, past and present

About Dr. Donald Berry:
Dr. Berry is the Director of the Gulf Coast Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education.  (The Center promotes and supports middle school and high school teaching of the Holocaust and genocide.)  He has worked at the University of Mobile since 1987.  His current role is Associate VP for Academic Services.  He is an ordained minister and occasionally preaches in local churches.  Dr. Berry attended Southern Seminary in Louisville from which he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1987.  Dr. Berry resides in the Old Dauphin Way historic district of Mobile with his wife Sally.  They have two sons, Donald and Noel, who also live in Mobile.

THL554/350 (Moral)
Catholic Social Thought
Dr. Matthew Bagot
6 Saturdays - Feb. 27; March 13, 20; April 10, 17; May 1 (9am-4pm)

Course description:
This course will be an historical and analytical investigation of  the Church's official social teaching--sometimes called its "best kept secret." Such teaching constitutes the Church's response to the iniquities of nineteenth century capitalism and its subsequent attempt to chart a "third way" between the two major ideologies of the twentieth century, namely free-market liberal capitalism and state-sponsored communism. Themes will include the dignity of the human person, the common good, economic justice, human rights, and authentic human development.

About Dr. Matthew Bagot:
Matthew Bagot is Lecturer of Theology at Spring Hill College, having joined the faculty in the fall of 2007.  He is currently finishing his dissertation for the Ph.D. from Boston College in Ethics.  His area of specialty is Catholic social ethics and international politics.  His article “Subsidiarity: Catholic Theory and American Practice” was published in the collection of essays, Global Justice.  Before coming to Spring Hill, Matthew served as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, teaching a course on Catholicism and has also taught at Emory University, Rivier College in (New Hampshire).   Matthew grew up in England and came to the United States in 1985. He has degrees from Edinburgh University (Scotland), Emory University, and Weston Jesuit School of Theology in addition to his work at Boston College.

Scholarships/Grants Available

Christopher Viscardi, S.J. Scholarship
Spring Hill College offers the Christopher Viscardi, S.J. Scholarship for students in its theological studies program. [ more info]

For more information contact:

Catholic Diocese of Jackson
237 E. Amite St.
Jackson, MS 39201-2168
(601) 969-1880

Driving Directions

St. Joseph High School
308 New Mannsdale Road
Madison, MS 39110

Traveling South on I-55, take exit 108 and make a right onto Highway 463. Continue on 463 past Highland Colony Parkway. The High School will be on your right, approximately 1/4 mile from the traffic signal.

Traveling North on I-55, take exit 108, make a left onto Highway 463, and cross over the Interstate. Continue on 463 past Highland Colony Parkway. The High School will be on your right, approximately 1/4 mile from the traffic signal.