Start a Program

Are you interested in creating a Center or Program in Catholic Studies? Each institution is different, but the Consortium exists as a resource to help those who seek to begin either an Academic Program in Catholic Studies, a Center for Catholic Studies, or a similar institute aimed at integrating Catholic thought and culture. Here are some helpful tips on how to get started.

Learn more about Catholic Studies. Research Catholic Studies. Our ABOUT page offers a quick explanation of the difference between a Center and a Program. You can also browse the READING page, which will be updated and expanded regularly. Finally, we encourage you to find an institution similar to yours that has either a Center or Program. Look at the programs and events they offer to get a sense of what it can look like at your school.

Think of your goals. What do you hope to accomplish through establishing a program or center? Which do you think would most benefit your campus community?

Understand your current campus. Its structure, its people, its mission, and its culture.
This will help you learn how to navigate the organizational policies and procedures for creating an academic program, hiring faculty or staff, establishing a center or an institute, etc.

Speak with your colleagues. One benefit of Catholic Studies programs is its interdisciplinarity. Across the country, centers and programs are staffed by scholars and professionals from a variety of disciplines including Theology, Literature, Philosophy, History,  etc. By formulating a small core group of like-minded faculty, administrators, and staff, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what a Center or Program might look like on your campus.

Come to the National Symposium. This is one of the most fruitful ways in which you can come to understand the nature of Catholic Studies. This three-day workshop provides great insight into what individuals are doing at their respective campuses, how programs/centers work, and how to begin one on your campus.