Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education

• CLE 601: Trivium I – Grammar and Logic
• CLE 602: Trivium II – Classical and Christian Rhetoric
• CLE 603: Quadrivium
• CLE 604: The Quarrel Between Poetry and Philosophy
• CLE 605: Faith and Reason
• CLE 606: Great Books on Education
• CLE 607: Democracy in America
• CLE 608: Rome and Romans
• CLE 609: Advanced Special Topics in Classical Pedagogy and Thought I
• CLE 610: Advanced Special Topics in Classical Pedagogy and Thought II
• CLE 611: Advanced Special Topics in Classical Pedagogy and Thought III
• CLE 612: Advanced Special Topics in Classical Pedagogy and Thought IV

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

The CiRCE Institute’s Apprenticeship Program is an in-depth, personal teacher development community in which a Master Teacher mentors a small group of educators in classical rhetoric and classical modes of instruction. It’s founded on the idea that to feed students properly, teachers must feed themselves. With mentorship and community at its core, it’s a program for teachers (from all walks of life) who want to drink deeply from the wisdom of the ages, engage in inspiring conversation with like-minded friends, and push hard towards Truth, Wisdom, and Virtue.

The mentor/apprentice relationship–and the community that springs out of it–is the very heart of the program. Each of our seven groups is kept small so that mentors and apprentices can truly know each other. The mentors guide the apprentices by providing assessment that blesses them, accountability that strengthens them, and regular discussions that nurture them. The environment is welcoming and safe, the community develops over shared meals and stories, the pedagogy is founded on Christian classical education forms, and the assessment is for the apprentice to flourish. These are the things that set this teacher training program apart.

The CiRCE Apprenticeship is a three-year program. To receive certification, apprentices must do the following:

• Attend six retreats (one summer and one winter each year)
• Teach lessons at the retreats from the Lost Tools of Writing
• Teach lessons at home from the Lost Tools of Writing
• Attend two webinars each month, September through May
• Complete requisite assigned writing assignments
• Implement mimetic instruction at home or in the classroom
• Read all assigned literature
• Pass biannual evaluations
• Mentor a first-year apprentice
• Prepare and teach an original mimetic lesson at a retreat
• Lead a Socratic discussion
• Fulfill all payment obligations

Head mentors assess apprentices on their participation, teaching, and writing. In December and May they offer individual evaluations, providing specific feedback with suggestions for improvement.

Click here to learn more about CiRCE.

True Catholic education should place Jesus Christ, the Logos, at its center; so too with its teacher formation. Guided by The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools and the Church’s long tradition in the liberal arts and sciences, ICLE has designed a robust 18-month program that serves as an alternative to state teacher licensure. The Catholic Educator Formation and Credential (CEFC) program prepares educators to infuse a deeply Catholic philosophy and practice of education into their teaching. The credential earned by teachers in the CEFC program is designed to be portable and recognized by dioceses across the nation in lieu of state licensure.

Click here to learn more about ICLE.

Intended for individuals with a passion for the Latin and Greek languages, this certification is designed to give current and aspiring teachers the tools to make their Latin classes more interactive, and integrate the Catholic faith into their student learnings. This is the first-of-its-kind credential to teach Latin in an integrated, Catholic approach using active pedagogy from the only pontifically-approved institution for Latin and Greek language study in the United States.

Click here to learn more about Veterum Sapientia Institute.

Students will take seven 3-credit courses that combine weekly online small group seminars along with other asynchronous assignments and activities. These 8-week courses, meant to be able to be completed in two semesters, can be seen below. Belmont Abbey courses can be completed before, after, or concurrently with the ICLE, CiRCE, or Veterum Sapientia Institute programs. The price per graduate credit hour at Belmont Abbey is $600.

Application Deadline: July 31st

Application Requirements:

• • Admission to the program is determined by evaluating a combination of factors. These factors include:
    • Undergraduate GPA
    • Academic Preparation in a related field
    • Work Experience in a related field
  • Applicants are not required to have an undergraduate degree in a particular field or discipline.
  • International students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency according to College approved methods and thresholds ( For example, minimum TOEFL score—89 IBT) NOTE: Students will be admitted and enrolled as Full-time Cohorts. Admission entry point in both fall and spring semesters.
  • Students may enroll as part-time or full-time students. Part-time status will extend the total length of the program beyond the standard 10-12 months.