Adult Student

Description

“This might be the best $10 I’ve ever spent on myself, perhaps in my entire existence. The positive impacts on my personal life could never be quantified or adequately expressed. Every day, I sense that my mind is becoming little by little more ordered, and it will probably continue to get better, which would be a personal miracle for me to be honest.”

Opportunities for classical Catholic education are not available through conventional institutions. Most adults today were educated according to standards that emphasize utility over wisdom,isolated subjects over integration, and secular concerns over Catholic doctrine. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy exists to provide a return to the study of classical Catholic education for those who wish to pursue it as adults.

If you are reading this, you are likely aware that something essential has been missing from your education and are seeking a more ordered and intelligent approach. You do not need to begin with elementary grammar or arithmetic because you already have a general education and experience in life. You already possess the basic tools of literacy and reasoning, and can move directly into the higher disciplines where the purpose and structure of classical education are clearly visible.

Why Adult Students Begin with Advanced Studies

Children begin with elementary studies because they need to acquire foundational skills before they can apply them in advanced studies. Adults, however, can read, follow arguments, and exercise judgment based on experience. Therefore, the most effective starting point is not the trivium, but the works in which the trivium is employed—philosophy and theology. The goal, over time, is to cycle through the classical liberal arts throughout life, so the formal arts will be studied, but it’s not recommended to begin with them as adults.

When reading Aristotle or St. Thomas Aquinas, adults will encounter arguments, terminology, and references that reveal the function of grammar, logic, and rhetoric in real intellectual inquiry. This top-down approach allows adult learners to observe the application of the liberal arts from the beginning, creating a clear context for subsequent study.

Moreover, adults are often more intellectually engaged by the questions addressed in philosophy and theology—questions about virtue, happiness, the soul, and God. These are not abstractions. They are questions that inform real decisions and shape daily life.

Pope John Paul II said, “The catechesis of adults is the principal form of catechesis because it is addressed to persons who have the greatest responsibilities and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form.” ¹ This is the same idea presented here in advising adults how to begin in classical studies–and why to do so.

Recommended Starting Courses

To begin, we recommend the following courses. They are not easy, but they are appropriate for mature learners.

• 01-TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Core)
  The CLAA’s 01-TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Core) course teaches students to read the Gospel of St. John in Latin. Designed for beginners, this course focuses on building foundational Latin reading skills through the study of sacred Scripture. Students learn vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure while exploring the profound text of the Gospel. Lessons are structured to develop both fluency and comprehension, making this course an ideal introduction to Latin reading within a meaningful and classical context.
• 01-TRV-371 Classical Reasoning I (Core)
  The CLAA’s 01-TRV-371 Classical Reasoning I (Core) course introduces students to the foundational principles of classical logic and reasoning through the study of Porphyry’s Introduction, Aristotle’s Categories, and On Interpretation. This course explores essential topics such as the nature of universals, classification, and the structure of propositions, providing a deep understanding of logical thought in the classical tradition. Lessons are structured to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, making this course an essential foundation for advanced philosophical and theological studies.
• 01-TRV-381 Classical Rhetoric (Core)
  The CLAA’s 01-TRV-381 Classical Rhetoric (Core) course provides an in-depth study of Aristotle’s Rhetoric, exploring the principles and techniques of persuasive communication. This course examines the three modes of persuasion—ethos, pathos, and logos—along with the structure of arguments, the role of emotion, and the use of stylistic devices. Students learn to craft compelling speeches and analyze rhetorical strategies, developing both their critical thinking and expressive abilities. Designed for advanced students, this course is a cornerstone of classical education in the art of persuasion.
• 02-QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic (Core)
  The CLAA’s 02-QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic (Core) course introduces students to the first art of the quadrivium through the study of Nicomachus’ Introduction to Arithmetic. This course explores the philosophical and mathematical principles of numbers, focusing on their properties, relationships, and significance in the classical tradition. Students develop a deep understanding of arithmetic as both a practical discipline and a foundation for the other liberal arts. Designed for dedicated learners, this course emphasizes the harmony and order inherent in mathematical study.
• 03-PHL-311 Aristotle, Ethics (Core)
  The CLAA’s 03-PHL-311 Aristotle, Ethics (Core) course offers an in-depth study of Aristotle’s exploration of human virtue and the pursuit of the good life as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics. This course examines topics such as happiness, virtue, moral responsibility, friendship, and the role of reason in ethical decision-making. Students engage with Aristotle’s systematic approach to ethics, gaining insights into the principles of virtuous living and character formation. Designed for advanced learners, this course provides a profound foundation in classical moral philosophy.
• 04-THL-321 Summa Theologica I (Core)
  The CLAA’s 04-THL-321 Summa Theologica I (Core) course provides a thorough study of the first part of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. This course explores foundational topics in Catholic theology, including the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, angels, and humanity’s relationship with the divine. Students engage with Aquinas’ systematic reasoning and theological insights, gaining a profound understanding of key doctrines of the Catholic faith. Designed for advanced learners, this course offers a solid foundation in classical theology and prepares students for deeper studies in philosophy and theology.

On Study and Adult Responsibility

Classical study cannot be approached as a casual interest. For adults, success depends on establishing a deliberate and orderly life–living according to a rule that serves a clear end. Study must become a regular (i.e., by the rule) activity within the structure of daily responsibilities, including family, work, health, and religious obligations.

This requires that time be taken from other forms of leisure and redirected toward study. While modern entertainment offers passive diversion, classical education offers intellectual engagement. The time available is limited; adults must choose how to use it.

Study should become the principal form of adult leisure. An hour of concentrated study each day, consistently maintained, will yield meaningful progress over time. The gains of classical study will come from consistent study over a long period of time.

Practical Recommendations

1. Establish a Daily Study Routine: Set aside a fixed time each day for study.
2. Work in a Quiet Space: A dedicated location, free from distraction, supports sustained attention.
3. Maintain Order in Other Duties: Study does not excuse negligence in family or professional life. Duties must be kept in order.
4. Keep an Ongoing Journal of Studies: Keep a record of readings, definitions, questions, and observations. This supports retention and reflection.
5. Review Regularly: Revisit earlier material to reinforce knowledge and identify progress. Retaking quizzes provides an excellent means of review.
6. Communicate: Post questions and comments on the course forums in the Academy Study Center. There is fellowship available for this journey.

Long-Term Direction

After beginning with philosophy or theology, students will begin to recognize where their understanding is weak. The Summa and Aristotle will make reference to grammar, logic, arithmetic, and other disciplines. These references will indicate what should be studied next.

As gaps are filled, the full structure of the liberal arts becomes clearer. This is not a race, and there are no artificial deadlines. The goal is competence and understanding, not pace or volume.

Why the CLAA Is Different

The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is not a modified modern program. It does not modernize content or adapt it for mass consumption. It simply restores the actual curriculum and method of classical Catholic education as it existed before its abandonment.

This program is not designed for children pretending to be scholars or for adults seeking credentials. It is for those who are willing to study primary texts, exercise reason, and submit their intellect to Catholic truth.

Conclusion

The place to begin is where the purpose of education is most clear. Philosophy and theology are not the end of study, but they provide the structure for everything else. They allow adult students to study the liberal arts not in abstraction, but in their proper context.

If you wish to pursue classical education as an adult, begin with the recommended courses. Study seriously, order your life responsibly, and proceed patiently. There is no other way.