Catholic Studies Academy

Catholic Studies Academy empowers Catholics to strengthen their faith through the systematic study of philosophy and theology in a flexible and affordable way.
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ACCESSIBLE | FAITHFUL | ACADEMIC

Catholics today need a deeper intellectual formation that meets today’s challenges and inspires faith in those they encounter.

Contrary to what you will hear from many so-called experts, the primary challenge to faith today is intellectual…

…it’s about the truth. 

Recent Articles

Purgatory as Surrender

by | March 16, 2019 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

Once, when I was teaching moral theology, a student who wasn’t Catholic asked me about purgatory.  I explained that, in this life, we retain numerous attachments to earthy goods and concerns, selfish wants, resentments, prideful aspirations that have little to do with...
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HAPPINESS IS PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU THINK: IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS

by | March 5, 2019 | Philosophy | 0 Comments

It is safe to say that modern men and women are obsessed with happiness. Of course this is hardly a unique situation. Every generation and community is concerned with happiness in one way or another, although it is important to remember that not every culture has...
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Purgatory as Judgment

by | February 19, 2019 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

We often imagine that purgatory is a sentence we serve before our admittance into heaven.  But what if purgatory doesn’t follow judgment?  What if purgatory is judgment, subjectively experienced by us? This is precisely the view articulated by St. Catherine of Genoa...
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EROS, WISDOM, AND POLITICS: PLATO’S CRITIQUE OF DEMOCRACY

by | February 6, 2019 | Philosophy | 0 Comments

Few beliefs are more deeply engrained in the modern mind than the primacy of democracy. Indeed despite the radical divisions and non-stop friction that characterizes modern America, almost everyone agrees on one thing: democracy is always the best form of government....
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Purgatory Beyond the Images of Flames and Punishment

by | January 29, 2019 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

In the third installment in our series on purgatory, we examined the opinion that purgatory involves actual corporeal fire.  We saw that this odd-seeming view has some basis in a sound understanding of the relationship between the soul and the body, and that it...
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Discovering Absolute Truth: Plato’s Enduring Legacy

by | January 19, 2019 | Philosophy | 0 Comments

When I introduce students to philosophy, I frequently insist that they read significant passages from Plato’s Republic. This is not because I am a Platonist. Indeed, in the end I am sympathetic to Aristotelian and Thomist criticisms of Platonism taken as a whole....
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Is there Actual Fire in Purgatory?

by | January 4, 2019 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

In Part 2 of my series on purgatory, I talked about St. Paul’s reference to the typology of fire in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15.  Over the centuries, many great theologians and doctors of the Church took this reference, and references to the fires of hell in the New...
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Overcoming Manipulative Rhetoric with Ancient Wisdom

by | December 11, 2018 | Philosophy | 0 Comments

HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME MANIPULATIVE RHETORIC WITH ANCIENT WISDOM? The manipulative use of emotional rhetoric and fallacious reasoning is nothing new. In fact, opposition to the abuse of reason goes back to the very origins of ancient philosophy. It is well known that...
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St. Paul Talks About Purgatory in the New Testament

by | December 3, 2018 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

In his First Letter to the Corinthians (3:10–15), St. Paul says that a Christian life can have its foundation only in Jesus Christ, but that on that foundation, the life we go on to live may be more or less worthy, as it’s constructed of works that conform more or...
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What Do Catholics Have to Believe About Purgatory?

by | November 21, 2018 | Catechesis, Theology | 0 Comments

The doctrine of purgatory is often seen as a Roman accretion that’s distorted Christianity’s thesis that salvation is a free gift of grace by introducing the Pelagian idea that we have to earn our salvation.  That’s because, when people think about purgatory, they...
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Current and Upcoming Courses

Catholic Studies Academy will empower students to avoid:

Vapid, sentimental theology that neither illumines nor inspires.
The frustration of being unable to speak clearly and precisely about the Faith.
Intimidation and defeat before secular attacks on Catholic Faith.

Catholic Studies Academy is here to serve you and meet your needs

Higher education is cost- and time-prohibitive, but you have the desire to move beyond basic catechesis.

You want solid intellectual formation. Catholic Studies Academy is here to equip you and meet your need.

Catholic Studies Academy is staffed by academic experts fully prepared to provide you with a systematic, college-level formation in philosophy and theology.

…you may not need the degree but desire depth.

 

…you may want more.

 

YOU ARE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE OF CATHOLIC STUDIES ACADEMY!

“Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire, and to know what he ought to do.”

– St. Thomas Aquinas

“Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire, and to know what he ought to do.” St. Thomas Aquinas

Features and Benefits

  • College-level philosophy and theology courses entirely online.
  • Access to reliable experts on philosophy, theology, and catechetics.
  • A community of committed Catholics seeking to deepen their faith through rigorous, intellectual formation.
  • A systematic, college-level curriculum in philosophy and theology.
  • Staffed by professional scholars and experienced teachers.
  • Faithful, rigorous, and independent – CSA is free to maintain the integrity of its mission without compromise.

Students who enroll in CSA will be able to:

DEMONSTRATE familiarity with the major figures and movements of the history of philosophy and theology.
DEFINE and understand philosophical and theological ideas and foundational principles.
REFUTE the most common errors that challenge and subvert the Catholic faith today.
DEMONSTRATE essential truths in philosophy and theology including the existence of God, the objective difference between right and wrong, the real possibility of Hell, the indissolubility of marriage, et cetera.
MEDITATE more deeply on the mysteries of God.

Join the Academy

Enroll annually here and get one month free!

Student

$39/month
  • Theology Courses (4/year)
  • Philosophy Courses (4/year)
  • Self-evaluation study questions
  • Academy Forum Access
  • Digital Handouts
  • Exclusive Content
  • MP3 Downloads
  • Philosophy Certificate
  • Theology Certificate
  • Instructor Email Address
  • The Colloquium Live Chat with Instructors
Join Now

Scholar

$55/month
  • Unlimited Access to Philosophy Courses
  • Unlimited Access to Theology Courses
  • Exclusive Content
  • Philosophy Certificate
  • Theology Certificate
  • Self-evaluation study questions
  • Academy Forum Access
  • Digital Handouts
  • MP3 Downloads
  • The Colloquium Live Chat with Instructors
  • Instructor Email Address
Join Now

Fellow

$125/month
  • Unlimited Access to Philosophy Courses
  • Unlimited Access to Theology Courses
  • Exclusive Content
  • Philosophy Certificate
  • Theology Certificate
  • Self-evaluation study questions
  • Academy Forum Access
  • Digital Handouts
  • MP3 Downloads
  • The Colloquium Live Chat with Instructors
  • Instructor Email Address
Join Now

Click here to get one month free with annual tuition.

Gift Certificate

“The Church remains profoundly convinced that faith and reason “mutually support each other”; each influences the other, as they offer to each other a purifying critique and a stimulus to pursue the search for deeper understanding.” (Fides et Ratio 100)

– Pope Saint John Paul II

“The Church remains profoundly convinced that faith and reason “mutually support each other”; each influences the other, as they offer to each other a purifying critique and a stimulus to pursue the search for deeper understanding.” Pope Saint John Paul II

Fides et Ratio 100

Dr. Benjamin Smith
Lecturer in Philosophy

Dr. Smith, Lecturer in Philosophy and co-founder, received his M.A. in philosophy from the Catholic University of America and his Ph.D. from the Center for Thomistic Studies. He is steeped in Thomist philosophy and experienced in the analysis and refutation of modern errors. Dr. Smith has more than a decade of full-time experience as a professor and scholar. He has published articles in The Thomist, the Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, Public Discourse, and the Imaginative Conservative.

Dr. Richard Bulzacchelli, S.T.D.
Lecturer in Theology

Dr. Bulzacchelli, Lecturer in Theology, received the S.T.L. from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, and the S.T.D. from the  International Marian Research Institute. He has been a scholar and professor for almost two decades and publishes on a wide range of topics in theology and philosophy. He is the author of two books: Judged by the Law of Freedom: A History of the Faith-Works Controversy and a Resolution in the Thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and Elohim Created: A New Look at the First Creation Narrative.

Jason Gale, M.A., L.Div.
Lecturer in Theology

Jason Gale, Lecturer in Theology and co-founder, earned undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Maryvale Institute. He also received an Ecclesiastical License of Divinity (in Catechetics) from the Maryvale Institute. He has published several articles in The Sower Review and The Catechetical Review. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Dickson, TN. Jason has been in the work of teaching and forming catechists for over 10 years and lectures regularly on catechesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from other programs?

Our mission is to model our courses after a 4-year degree program in philosophy and theology. You will have access to the same topics and subjects as you find at a 4-year college or university without the added cost and time constraints. Our lecturers guide you through the material over the course of 12 weeks and after the course is released, you will have access to it for the lifetime of your membership. We take you through a systematic study of philosophy and theology in an abbreviated manner without diluting the content. Most programs out there are usually based on the Catechism, a book of the bible, or are simply topical. We strive to fill that educational gap between the catechesis offered at the parish level and an undergraduate degree.

These elements are foundational for the CSA learning experience:

  • Our approach is systematic, not merely topical
  • Integrates philosophy and theology
  • College-level, academic education, abbreviated but not diluted
  • Independent community of scholars

Meet the instructors and learn more:

How does this work?

The academy works similarly to a magazine subscription. Your monthly subscription gives you

  • access to new material each week (including a theology class and a philosophy class)
  • exclusive material
  • a private forum for only members and the lecturers
  • along with added content throughout the year

Each course is approximately 12 weeks and a new course in theology and philosophy will be available every 3 months. Lectures for new course material will be available weekly during the 12 weeks. Lectures for past courses will be available at any time.

STUDENT

Students will have access to four theology and four philosophy core track courses for a term of 6 months each. Two new courses (one theology and one philosophy) will be rolled out every three months. When you enroll, you are given access to 101 and 102 courses in Philosophy and Theology.

  • Fundamental Theology
  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Philosophy of the Human Person
  • Introduction to Sacred Scripture

At the end of 6 months, the next courses will be available to you. You will have access to each course for a term of 6 months. We will continue to carry through a systematic track of courses during the duration of your membership.

 

SCHOLARS & FELLOWS

Scholars and Fellows will have access to all new courses including exclusive courses like Introduction to Practical Theology and lifetime access to all courses in the archives. You will be able to take all courses as your schedule allows and will have immediate access to all new lectures as they are published.

What courses are available now?

On June 1, you will have access to one 12-week course in Philosophy and also one 12-week course in Theology.

  • Fundamental Theology (4-Part Foundation course and 12-week course)
  • Introduction to Philosophy

Currently, our 2 courses available lay the framework and foundation for the study of theology and philosophy. New courses will be available every 12 weeks.

2018-19 Schedule:
June 1, 2018: 2 new courses
September 1, 2018: 2 new courses will be added(4 total)
December 1, 2018: 2 new courses will be added (6 total)
March 1, 2019: 2 new courses will be added (8 total)

Each year will follow this schedule. We will also be adding more mini-courses and lecture series, exclusive audio content (including an expanded WIMP series) and other learning opportunities!

Will I have access to each course forever?

Students

All enrolled students will have access to each course for a total of 6 months. Every 3 months, 2 new courses will be made available to you, and you will have the opportunity to complete each course over a 6-month period. You can upgrade your membership at any time to access any of the course archives.

Scholars & Fellows

All enrolled scholars and fellows will have full access to all courses on the Catholic Studies Academy. Past courses will be available in their entirety and lectures from current live courses will become available each week over the course of 12 weeks.

How soon can I access the lectures?

Each course spans 12 weeks and a lecture will be available each week. On June 1, the very first lecture for Introduction to Philosophy and Fundamentals of Theology will be available to you. Our next 2 courses will become available on September 1 with a new lecture available for you each week.

How many courses will I have access to?

Student Membership

With the Student membership, you will have access to 4 theology course and 4 philosophy course per year. Every 3 months, you will be given access to one new theology and philosophy course. Each course will be available to you for 6 months.

Scholar & Fellow Memberships

With the Scholar and Fellow memberships, you will have access to courses as they become available. Every 3 months, you will have access to a new theology and a new philosophy course. This works out to 4 philosophy and 4 theology course per year.

Can I earn college credits?

The mission of Catholic Studies Academy is to provide a systematic education in theology and philosophy in an affordable and accessible manner. For these reasons, we do not offer credits for courses taken. We do offer certificates for courses completed (Scholars and Fellows only).

Can I purchase individual courses?

Yes – Some of our courses are available for individual or bundle purchase here.

I'm not sure if I have time for a college course?

The estimated time commitment for our courses is about 1-2 hours a week. The weekly coursework is recommended as follows:

  • 30 minutes – Video/Audio lecture
  • 30 minutes-1 hour – Online interaction in the forum
  • 30 minutes-1 hour – Recommended Reading

This work can be done each week or if you have more time one week rather than another, you can easily complete multiple classes in one week.

I'm no philosopher...

That is why you are here. You have a desire to know truth and to explain it in a rational way and be faithful to the Church. If you love wisdom, you are in the right spot!

This sounds a little out of my league

When you begin learning a new subject, it always seems “a little out of your league”. But the learning process takes some time to organize the material in your intellect. However, when you arrive “on the other side”, the material makes sense. In this case, we are asking the highest and most important questions about life.

Will I be under a contractual obligation?

No, you can cancel or upgrade at any time. If you have any questions or need to reach our support team, please email info@catholicstudiesacademy.com.

What courses are offered?

CSA Faculty will be rolling out a new philosophy and a new theology course every 3 months. The content of these courses will eventually give you access to the foundational and elective courses you might find at a faithful, Catholic college/university.

This will include courses in:

Theology – Fundamental Theology, Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Moral Theology, The Sacraments, The Church, Christology, Theology of the Trinity, Various Scripture Courses, etc. Philosophy – Introduction to Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, Philosophy of the Human Person, Medieval Philosophy, Early Modern Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Late Modern Philosophy, Philosophy of God, Ethics, Political Philosophy

What if I have a question or need clarity on a subject?

Students & Scholars: You have access to our online forum which gives you access to not only the professors but also the wider CSA community Fellows: In addition to the online forum, you will have further access to the lecturers for questions and dialogue through email.

Are you an accredited college?

No, we are not an accredited college. Keeping with our mission of affordable and accessible higher ecducation, we will never be accredited by an arbitrary institution.

WIMP – Worst Ideas in Modern Philosophy

Join us as we reveal some of the Worst Ideas in Modern Philosophy that have ruined the world and continue to drag humanity toward hell.

 

(Signing up for this series will also sign you up for the periodic newsletter from CSA.
Once you register you can update your settings at any time to choose what emails you want to receive.)

WIMP – Worst Ideas in Modern Philosophy

Join us as we reveal some of the Worst Ideas in Modern Philosophy that have ruined the world and continue to drag humanity toward hell.

(Signing up for this series will also sign you up for the periodic newsletter from CSA. Once you register you can update your settings at any time to choose what emails you want to receive.)

Sign up for our free 5-part mini-series

Join us as we reveal the Worst Ideas in Modern Philosophy that have ruined the world and continue to drag humanity toward hell.

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