In conjunction with the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, the School of Theology and Religious Studies offers a six-year joint Bachelor of Philosophy (Ph.B.) and Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) degree program for qualified students. This six year joint Ph.B. - S.T.B. program is an integrated program of 64 three-credit courses leading to the two degrees. To complete the program in six years requires a total of 4 courses distributed in the first two summers of the program. The S.T.B. degree provides the student with the opportunity to attain a basic theological education and competency. This is a prerequisite for the further specialization of the licentiate (S.T.L.) which in this degree sequence presupposes familiarity with the wide variety of subject matter and disciplines that constitute the Christian theological tradition as reflected in the S.T.B. curriculum.