Education
- Ph.D., Catholic Ethics, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 2001
- M.A., Catholic Theology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1996
- B.A., Mathematics and Philosophy, Berea College, Berea, KY, 1993
Courses
- Marriage and Family Today (TH 3354)
- God, Work and Money (TH 3355)
- Aliens, Heroes, Monsters and Jesus (TH 3359)
Biography
Jason E. King, Ph.D., is the Beirne Chair of Catholic Studies and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. As a Catholic ethicist and theologian, his work explores the relationship between theology, education, culture and public life.
King’s scholarship has addressed a wide range of topics, including Catholic higher education, marriage and family, environmental ethics, theological education, work and the cultural influence of figures such as Mr. Rogers. He is the author or editor of several books, including Faith with Benefits: Hookup Culture on Catholic Campuses (Oxford University Press), Love, Sex, and Families: Catholic Perspectives (Liturgical Press) and The Green Mister Rogers: Environmentalism in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (University Press of Mississippi). His current book project, The Soul of Catholic Higher Education (Bloomsbury), examines how Catholic colleges and universities can respond to the challenges facing higher education while remaining faithful to their distinctive mission.
Much of his recent work focuses on the purpose and outcomes of Catholic higher education. He directs the Holistic Impact Report (HIR) Study, a national research project examining how Catholic colleges and universities shape graduates’ lives.
In addition to his academic work, King writes and speaks regularly for broader audiences. His essays have appeared in America, Church Life Journal, The Conversation, The Chronicle of Higher Education, the San Antonio Express-News and other outlets. He has delivered invited lectures and workshops at universities, dioceses, professional associations and church organizations across the United States and abroad, with recent presentations focusing on the value and future of Catholic higher education.
King currently serves as President of the College Theology Society and is Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Moral Theology.
Selected Publications
The Soul of Catholic Higher Education (Bloomsbury), forthcoming. Explores how Catholic colleges can reclaim their identity and serve as a model for all of higher education.
Faith with Benefits: Hookup Culture on Catholic Campuses (Oxford University Press).
Love, Sex, and Families: Catholic Perspectives (Liturgical Press), winner of two national Catholic press awards.
The Green Mister Rogers: Environmentalism in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (University Press of Mississippi).
Books
King has published widely in leading academic and public outlets. His work appears in journals such as:
- Horizons
- New Blackfriars
- Journal of Moral Theology
- Journal of Catholic Higher Education
- America
- Church Life Journal
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- National Catholic Reporter
- The Conversation
Journals
“More Than Money: Holistic Outcomes of Catholic Higher Education,” Journal of Catholic Education 28.2 (2025), 94-112, doi: 10.15365/joce.2802052025.
“Rethinking the Work of the Theologian in the Pandemic’s Wake,” Horizons 50.1 (2023): 1-31, doi: 10.1017/hor.2023.5. Co-authored with Kathy Lilla Cox.
“The Pandemic, Contingent Faculty, and Catholic Colleges and Universities.” Academic Labor: Research and Artistry 6.1 (2022): 60-71. Co-authored with Andrew Herr and Julia Cavallo.
“Theological Education and the Dangers of Mentoring,” The Human in a Dehumanizing World: Reimagining Theological Anthropology and Its Implications. College Theology Society Annual Volume 67, Jessica Coblentz and Daniel Horan, eds. (New York: Orbis Books, 2022) 116-119.
“The Demanding Theology of Mister Rogers,” New Blackfriars 103.1103 (2022) 62-76, doi: 10.1111/nbfr.12651.
“Parenting for Environmental Care,” Human Families: Identities, Relationships, and Responsibilities. College Theology Society Annual Volume 66 (2020) 124-135.
“What Chairs Can Do for Contingent Faculty,” Journal of Catholic Higher Education 38.2 (2019) 177-192.
“Appalachia and Laudato Si’: Developing the Connection between the Poor and the Environment,” Horizons 46.2 (2019) 246-269.
“Mister Rogers’ Environmentalism: Children’s Spirituality in a Trash Apocalypse,” International Journal of Children’s Spirituality 24.2 (2019) 155-165.
“Does Service and Volunteering Affect Catholic Identity?” Praxis: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Faith and Justice 1.2 (2018) 104-122. Co-authored with Andrew Herr.
“Does Catholic Identity Affect Students?” Journal of Catholic Higher Education 34.2 (2015) 195-209. Co-authored with Andrew Herr.
“Feelings and Decision Making.” New Blackfriars 97.1067 (2015) 39-51.
“Trying Not to ‘Shove Religion Down Their Throats.’” Religious Education 110.2 (2015) 198-211.
“Student Perception of and Role in Determining Catholic Identity.” Journal of Catholic Higher Education 33.2 (2014) 261-278.
“The Exercise of Obedience and Authority in the Rule of Saint Benedict.” American Benedictine Review 65.3 (2014) 257-270.
“Ecumenical Marriage as Leaven for Christian Unity.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 42 (2007) 253-263.
“Vatican II’s Ecclesiology and the Sexual Abuse Scandal.” Vatican II: Forty Years Later. College Theology Society Annual Volume 51 (2005) 145-162.