phd theology requirements

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PHD IN THEOLOGY

Augustine famously linked faith and true understanding. But Augustine was also acutely aware of his own complex cultural context and its impact on both his faith and on the process of understanding.

Retrieving and adapting the Augustinian tradition for contemporary theological reflection is what orients us. For us, theology is interdisciplinary and integrative. Admission to our program necessitates the engagement of two theological subdisciplines and the pursuit of them through their own lens as well as through those of other academic disciplines, all within the broader faith engaging culture framework. Our program also emphasizes the study of theology as lived experience, an emphasis which asks you to join theory and practice and the mind with the heart, so that the ability to analyze, to articulate, and to communicate faith impactfully will become what defines you.

FAITH & CULTURE: LEAD THE CONVERSATION

Application Deadline Applicants seeking program admission (with or without an assistantship) must submit a completed application by January 8, 2024.

Please note that the Villanova Theology PhD program will not be admitting self-funded students for Fall 2024.

Admission Overview We envision a small program that permits us to dedicate resources to fulfilling program outcomes responsibly. Consequently, we admit four funded full-time students, selected competitively, to the program per year. We also admit a limited number of select self-funded full-time and part-time students. 

We will review all completed applications for full-time studies in January and aim to notify you of the status of your application during the course of February. We will notify applicants for part-time studies of the status of their applications by mid-April.

Admission to Areas Because learning in the program is governed by the interrelationship of two primary areas of theological inquiry, applicants are admitted to specific area combinations. It is, however, permitted to change one's specific area combination within the first year of studies. Within the second year, you will concentrate on your two primary areas of inquiry. While further adjustment of one's specific area combination may still be possible after the first year, this will prolong one's studies (because all area requirements must be fulfilled).

Studying Full-time or Part-time The doctoral program is designed primarily for full-time study. Full-time students normally complete the program in six years.

Because of our goal to prepare students for both the academy and a variety of  professions (e.g., careers in secondary school education and ministerial leadership), we also admit a limited number of select students on a part-time basis. Part-time students may take up to 12 years to complete all degree requirements for the combined Master's/PhD program.

Please not that University scholarships are awarded to full-time students only.

Application Requirements The items listed in the following checklist are all that we need in order to review your application. Please do not submit any materials beyond what is requested below. Any additional materials that are submitted will not be considered as part of your application.

You are not required to submit all application materials together. However, we will consider applications only when an application is complete, that is, only after all materials have been received and uploaded. To ensure a timely review, consider submitting your application well ahead of the posted deadlines.

Application Checklist:

• Completion of Online Application
• Application Fee (Nonrefundable) 1
• CV or Resume
• Three Letters of Recommendation (Academic) 2
• Bachelor's Degree (completed by June 1 of year of admission)
• Transcripts 3
• 18 undergraduate credit hours in Theology, Religion or the equivalent 4
• GPA (UG/G) of 3.75 or higher 5
• Application Essay 6
• (For non-native speakers of English), a score of 135 or higher on the Duolingo English exam or a score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL English exam. 7
• The application fee is waived for the following individuals: 1) Those who already hold a Villanova University degree (undergraduate or graduate). 2) Those who have attended a Villanova Event (open house, virtual or in-person information session). 3) McNair Scholars. We ask McNair Scholars to have their program administrator send a letter or email to us confirming your participation in the program.
• Please contact us if you cannot meet this requirement. Please note that if you are a member of a religious order or have been ordained within a Christian denomination that is governed by bishops, one of these three letters must be requested from your immediate superior or bishop.
• Transcripts of all previous college work (undergraduate and graduate where applicable). Unofficial copies may be uploaded in your online application for review. Official copies are required for international applicants and for all applicants who receive an offer of admission. Have official transcripts sent to: Office of Graduate Studies College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Villanova University 800 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085 [email protected]
• We also welcome your application if you majored in other fields in the Humanities, the Social Sciences, the Sciences, Law, etc.
• Please contact us if you do not meet this requirement. In some cases, exceptional applicants with a GPA below 3.75 are considered.
• A Villanova PhD in Theology commits you to studying the intersection of faith and culture within the Catholic tradition. Which two or three texts have done the most to inform your interest in this intersection? How exactly have they done this?
• A Villanova PhD in Theology also commits you to two areas of specialization. Which questions and/or readings have motivated your choice for these two areas? How will studying in these areas improve your ability to understand and/or address them?  
• Please contact us if your test score does not meet the relevant requirement. Our program’s evaluation of an applicant’s linguistic competence does not rely exclusively on these tests and, in some cases, exceptional applicants with scores below these thresholds are considered.

Learning Goals

Goal 1: Formulate Faith/Culture Relationship(s)

Objective A Generate original understandings of the faith/culture relationship(s), with attention to the experiences of diversity/inclusion, power, privilege, & marginalization.

Objective B Formulate advanced, interdisciplinary, integrative, and/or inclusive approaches to the analysis of culture(s) & the dimensions of faith and lived experience.

Goal 2: Communicate Knowledge

Objective A Advance theological knowing in the Catholic Augustinian tradition as a basis for transformative action in the world.

Objective B Assume the role of a productive, ethical, intellectual, and socially responsible leader, scholar, and teacher.

Program Requirements

Credit Hours To fulfill the requirements of the combined  Master’s/PhD program, students complete:

• 78 credit hours in graduate THL course work;
• Up to 6 credit hours in language courses if required;
• 1 dissertation writing course (0 credit hours);
• 9 credit hours in religious/theological education and supervised teaching.

Languages Ordinarily, each student must demonstrate reading and comprehending competency in those languages that are relevant to the student’s fields of study. Precise requirements are determined in consultation with the PhD Program Co-Director for Programming and the two Dissertation Co-Directors as soon as the student has chosen his or her directors.

Portfolio The student’s continuation in the doctoral program is based on three reviews of the materials included in the Portfolio. The Portfolio is an academic archive, a comprehensive, organized and cumulative electronic record of the breadth and depth of a student’s accomplishments over time in coursework, research, teaching, and other academic and professional experiences in the program.

Dissertation Writing and Co-Direction Students pursue theology engaging culture through the lenses of two areas of specialization and acquire expertise in both areas. To assure that all students graduating from the program are familiar with, and competent in, studying the relationships between faith and culture from interdisciplinary theological perspectives, each student will have two dissertation co-directors from the student’s two areas of specialization.

For a detailed description of all program requirements, please consult the Handbook .

Areas of Specialization

To relate faith and culture in a critical way, students choose two areas for advanced course work and dissertation research, sufficiently mastering the two for conducting interdisciplinary, integrative research and college level teaching. We offer four areas of specialization.

Biblical Interpretation

Biblical studies in the Augustinian Catholic tradition prepares students to reflect critically and theologically upon scripture in research and teaching. Its focus is the deep inner unity of the biblical narrative as a whole as well as the contributions of individual texts to this unity as they shape a theological narrative concerning the relationships among God, human beings, and the world through time and culture(s). Students in the area demonstrate competency in

• the use of a range of analytical methods and critical approaches to the biblical corpus and the scholarship of the field;
• the analysis of the literature, history, culture, and religion pertinent to the interpretation of Old and New Testament texts.
• the study of the theological dimensions of the scriptures as well as their reception in Christian history and thought.

Courses taught in the past in this area have included:

• Wisdom Literature
• Prophetic Tradition
• Gospel of Mark
• The Pauline Tradition
• The Johannine Tradition
• The Bible in Popular Culture

Systematic and Constructive Theology

God’s revelation in events, words and especially in the person of Jesus Christ compels systematic and constructive theology to engage with culture. Steeped in the long and rich Christian tradition, systematic and constructive theology explores the diverse layers of that tradition and brings the truths of the tradition to bear on the contemporary situation in language that finds a hearing in that situation. In this way, as theology explores Christian belief and practice, theology and culture engage each other.

This area of theology pursues these questions in a number of ways, understanding that human experience and its diverse cultural expressions and power vectors act as critical resources for theological reflection. It applies the insights of other disciplines as it reflects on the breadth of human experience. This is faith seeking understanding in the Augustinian tradition.

• The Future of Christology
• Trinity and Non-Duality
• God in the Twenty-First Century
• Liturgy and Culture
• Ecclesiology via the Prism of Church Architecture
• Humanity at the Threshold
• Aesthetic Theology
• The Future of Apophatic Theology

Christian Spirituality

The study of spirituality aligns with the Augustinian mission of Villanova. Just as Augustine sought to unite head and heart, belief and practice, mind and body, so does spirituality aim to bring together the plurality of modes in which the divine is known and experienced in human life, from philosophical speculation to cultural praxis.

In the Christian tradition, spirituality has taken its starting point from the Bible, which speaks of the “spirit” (ruach/pneuma) of God and, through it, the promise of new “life.” In a variety of ways, this overarching motif has been explored and developed over the centuries, from the apophatic theology of Gregory of Nyssa to the ecstatic and visionary poetry of Hadewijch of Antwerp to the theme of imitatio Christi in Søren Kierkegaard. And yet, consideration of Christian spirituality takes up not only thought but also practice, including the habits of contemplation, prayer, penance, liturgy, devotion and asceticism. As Bernard McGinn has put it, “The study of spirituality requires a desire to try to appreciate how religious people actually live their beliefs.” Moreover, Christian spirituality ranges into affective life, investigating the purpose and the role of the emotions in religious growth. This holistic approach to spirituality integrates bodily existence. Indeed, despite stereotypes equating spirituality with “individualism,” Christian spirituality is rooted in, if not always in agreement with, the Christian ekklesia (“assembly”) or church. Consequently, spirituality engages social life and extends to socio-political movements and communities.

Given its multifarious concerns, the study of spirituality may be approached from a number of disciplines, including history, anthropology, ethics, philosophy, literary studies, education and theology. Thus, it is an inherently interdisciplinary field, and, for that reason, it often draws on voices of those traditionally marginalized, including laity and women. Furthermore, its objects of study are diverse. To be sure, formal theological reflection is essential, and yet cultural forms such as visual art, film, music, liturgy, popular devotions, novels, hagiography and manuals are increasingly important, shedding new light on familiar ideas and figures.

• The Rise of American Spirituality
• (Post)Modern Spirituality
• Affect and Devotion
• Mysticism, Mourning and Melancholia
• Spiritual But Not Religious
• Conversion / Transformation
• Protestant Mysticism
• Spanish Mysticism

Christian Ethics

Christian ethics is the branch of theology explicitly tasked with articulating the moral, social, political and economic implications of Christian faith for both Christian disciples and the broader public sphere. The discipline thus underscores and elaborates on the nexus between theological beliefs and their significance for personal and communal living in particular cultural contexts. Christian ethics evaluates the positive influence of culture on Christian beliefs and practices, such as the modern human rights and environmental movements.

At the same time, it also develops critiques of culture, and its influence on the church, in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Christian theological doctrines. For example, Christian ethicists reflect upon and challenge elements of culture such as the “culture of death,” racism/white privilege, consumerism, jingoism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, imperialism, economic oppression and environmental degradation. At the heart of such critiques is the belief that God became human, thereby establishing the ongoing “indwelling” of Jesus Christ in all of God’s creation. Sacred scripture and Christian tradition generate norms and virtues to guide us towards respecting the presence of Christ’s Spirit in all of creation.

However, Christian ethics done in the spirit of Augustine also utilizes tools and sources such as philosophy, the social sciences, the physical sciences, literature and the arts, to interpret the Christian faith and the existential realities of the world, and to specify and apply the moral wisdom of the tradition to the pressing problems of God’s creation. In short, Christian ethics engages culture to both infuse it with the spirit of the incarnate God and to learn from its positive achievements how to better understand and enhance the situation of the human person and the created order.

• Faiths, Cultures and Sexuality
• Racism and the Catholic Church
• Catholic Sexual Ethics
• Moral Philosophy and Christian Ethics
• Prisons, Punishment and Ethics
• Economic Ethics
• Ethics of Higher Education
• Christian Environmental Ethics

The Heart of Teaching Program

The Heart of Teaching  provides graduate students with instruction, supervision, and mentorship in pedagogical theory and practice, as well as mentoring in professional and leadership competencies. In light of our Augustinian identity, graduate student formation in theology at Villanova prioritizes an apprenticeship-in-community model of education set within the context of friendship.

The Department recognizes the need for educational leaders committed to the common good who can teach effectively in various contexts, including schools, colleges and universities, as well as parishes, congregations and parachurch and community organizations. 

Higher education today demonstrates increasing concern for pedagogy, with the recognition that how people learn affects what they learn - and who they become. Moreover, as a discipline that integrates theory and practice, theology calls for educators who critically reflect on the mutual mediation of subject matter and pedagogy. 

For PhD students, the Heart of Teaching curriculum includes coursework in Theological Pedagogy and Contextual Education, in addition to a Teaching Practicum. The Heart of Teaching also sponsors recurring pedagogical workshops for faculty and graduate students.

Timothy Hanchin, PhD , serves as the director of The Heart of Teaching .  

Further details about this program can be found in the Heart of Teaching manual.

Handbook, Timeline and Manuals

• Handbook of Policies and Procedures
• Master Timeline
• Portfolio Manual
• Heart of Teaching Manual

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - REV. REBECCA IRWIN-DIEHL

"I have always said I would be a professional student if I could afford to be! But after completing my seminary degree, I was immersed in career and family for the next 15-20 years. Only after an “Xtreme” season in parenting, and at a time when I was seeking significant vocational transition, did my dream of pursuing doctoral studies reawaken. I found Villanova’s program by a circuitous route. I was exploring distance-learning options because my full-time job and family excluded relocating for a traditional program. But while scouring the Internet for doctorates in Christian spirituality, I was also reading Into the Silent Land , a book on contemplative prayer by none other than Villanova’s Martin Laird, OSA. The book inspired my visit to Nova’s website to see if Dr. Laird was speaking at a public event I could attend. Instead, I discovered Villanova’s PhD in Theology, offering an interdisciplinary focus in Christian spirituality and ethics. The perfect combination for an American Baptist pastor with a bent toward practical theology! My ongoing sojourn in this learning community has been both a place of scholarly enrichment and growth and a village of compassionate support when I suffered family tragedy last winter. We have learned much from one another, this Roman Catholic university and I, and for that I am deeply grateful. "

Ready for the Next Step?

Related topics.

• PhD Student Profiles by Specialization
• PhD Student Profiles by Name

Jennifer Jackson, ThD Director of Master's and Certificate Programs 610-519-6476

Stefanie Knauss, PhD Co-Director, Ph.D. Program - Programming & Advising

Jonathan Yates, PhD Director of Admissions, Ph.D. Program  610-519-8892

Department of Theology and Religious Studies Villanova University 800 E. Lancaster Ave. St. Augustine Center Room 203 Villanova, PA 19085

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FOLLOW THE THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

January 8: For admission to the PhD program with or without assistantship

February 1:  For admission to master's programs with funding consideration

August 1:  For admission to master's or certificate programs without funding for the fall

December 1:  For admission to master's or certificate programs without funding for the spring

If you have missed a master's or certificate program deadline, please contact the program coordinator  to discuss your options.

Begin your application .

STUDENT NEWS

Elisha Chi, doctoral candidate, was named the recipient of an Honorary Dissertation Fellowship, Louisville Institute, August 2023. Chi was also awarded a 2023 Villanova Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship.

Perdian Tumanan, doctoral student, was selected as one of the Roothbert Fund Fellows for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Degree Completion Requirements | Faculty

PhD in Theology

School of mission and theology, center for advanced theological studies.

The PhD in Theology program at Fuller Seminary equips faculty and other leaders through the cultivation of research capacities and skills, global sensibilities, ecclesial commitments, theological discernment, personal and vocational formation, and the craft of teaching and learning.

Rigorous Scholarship

Ecclesially Located

Diverse Learning Community

Mentor-Driven

Request More Information About the PhD in Theology

Contact Information

Faculty mentors work with PhD students in three primary concentration areas, New Testament, Old Testament, and Theological Studies.

In the Center for Advanced Theological Studies (CATS), “Theological Studies” is defined integratively, with students in this concentration working with faculty mentors specializing in Christian ethics, church history and historical theology, public theology, political theology, practical theology, Pentecostal studies, systematic theology, and theology and culture.

RESIDENTIAL AND HYBRID STUDY

Students may complete their work either in residence on Fuller Seminary’s Pasadena Campus or in a hybrid format.

Students participating in the hybrid modality complete the bulk of their coursework from a distance through synchronous and asynchronous participation in doctoral seminars. Hybrid modality students must complete 26 quarter units through hybrid coursework, which entails visiting campus on four separate occasions for approximately one week at a time.

Before You Apply

Fuller’s PhD in Theology prepares graduates for vocations as faculty in theological programs in seminaries, colleges, and universities; and as leaders in ecclesial and paraecclesial institutions and organizations devoted to serving the church in the world. The PhD program equips faculty and other leaders in several ways:

• Cultivating research capacities and skills
• Encouraging global sensibilities
• Nurturing ecclesial commitments
• Promoting theological discernment
• Fostering personal and vocational formation
• Training in the craft of teaching and learning

CONCENTRATIONS

PHD IN THEOLOGY STUDENTS PURSUE RESEARCH IN ONE OF THREE CONCENTRATION AREAS:

• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Theological Studies

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION STUDENTS PURSUE RESEARCH IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH DISCIPLINES:

• Christian Ethics
• Church History
• Historical Theology
• Liturgical Theology
• Practical Theology
• Public Theology
• Systematic Theology
• Pentecostal Studies
• Theology and Culture (arts and media)

GRADUATES OF THE PHD IN THEOLOGY PROGRAM SHOULD EVIDENCE THE FOLLOWING:

• A comprehensive knowledge of their field of theological study
• Research skills appropriate to an area of theological exploration, sufficient to engage in original research and writing that advances theological understanding in the service of the global church
• Critical reflection on the vocation of ecclesially informed theological scholarship, particularly with regard to teaching and learning, as well as research
• Hospitality toward diverse theological approaches and positions, traditional and emerging, characteristic of the church catholic
• Capacities for the cultivation of theologically reflective practices of Christian discipleship

Faculty Mentors

Explore a collection of videos featuring PhD faculty mentors discussing their areas of expertise and their thoughts on formational doctoral studies

Applying for Admission

Admission requirements.

Applicants must have a first theological master’s degree with a foundation in biblical languages (either an MDiv or Fuller’s MA in Theology, or its equivalent, from an ATS-accredited school), and a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above. Applicants wishing to have their transcripts assessed concerning this requirement should contact the Office of Admissions for details.

During the PhD program, students will need to acquire skills in up to three research languages (in addition to required biblical language requirements), as needed for their concentration. It is highly recommended that applicants begin their study of research languages prior to beginning the program.

To be considered for admission to the PhD in Theology program, applicants must submit an online application, essay responses, writing sample, three academic references, and official transcripts from all prior post-secondary study. Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide test scores from an approved English language proficiency exam. Some requirements vary by concentration and/or research area of interest. Learn more about application requirements for Fuller’s PhD in Theology.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Online application opens: August 1 Application and file completion deadline: January 2 Notification date: March 15

Payton Lectures

Fuller Seminary's annual event brings in leading theologians from around the world for a multi-day series of lectures and conversations

Degree Completion Requirements

The phd is awarded upon successful completion of the following:.

• Research language requirements
• Coursework consisting of 58, 800-level units through seminars or directed readings
• Comprehensive examinations
• A dissertation proposal
• A scholarly dissertation based on research in the area of the student’s academic focus

The PROGRAM INCLUDES THESE COMPONENTS:

Stage One of the PhD program consists of 46 units of seminars and directed readings, including a methods seminar or foundational course in the student’s theological studies track. After 46 units have been completed, students will take four comprehensive examinations. Students who pass the comprehensive examinations will become candidates and move into Stage Two.

Stage Two of the PhD program consists of completing another 12 units of directed readings related to dissertation research and writing. Students will pass a dissertation proposal and write a dissertation demonstrating knowledge of field research, evidence of independent research, an original contribution to the field, and appropriate presentation and format.

• Students will have a primary mentor under whom they design their 58-unit program of seminars and directed readings.

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Doctor of Intercultural Studies (DIS)

The DIS helps experienced leaders integrate theory and practical research to effect change in their context of service

PhD in Intercultural Studies

The PhD ICS enables practitioners to build a missiological framework on top of previous graduate work in theology to produce a thesis and be equipped for intercultural ministry or PhD research

Doctor of Ministry

Fuller’s practice-oriented Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program encourages ministry leaders to think creatively, cultivate new skills, and nurture their hearts to pursue their calling with excellence and passion in an ever changing world.

Get to know your admissions counselor | Joel Short

I came to study at Fuller in 2004 and have worked on Fuller’s admissions team since I graduated in 2007. I am inspired by the many people I meet who are seeking to change the world by changing hearts and minds. I am privileged to listen to so many wonderful stories and to help pour light on the path. I love history and enjoy books, podcasts, museums, maps, antiques and anything else that helps me understand how the past relates to the present and the future.

[email protected] 626.584.5400

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip you for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership.

Home / Programs / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What Is a Doctor of Philosophy?

A doctor of philosophy, also known as a PhD, is a doctoral degree in a specific area of study. At Calvin Theological Seminary, this terminal degree is available in the area of theology.

What Is a Theology PhD Program?

Calvin Theological Seminary’s PhD focuses on Christian theology. The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is designed to afford students advanced training in independent inquiry, academic research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing as they define their own theological positions in dialogue with other points of view. It is aimed at equipping scholars from all parts of the world for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities and for general ecclesiastical leadership.

Theology Doctorate Career Opportunities

A PhD can prepare you for many roles, including:

• Professor: Share your knowledge through undergraduate- or graduate-level teaching. 
• Pastor-Scholar: Help lead a congregation and a denomination as a pastor who engages with and produces scholarship that feeds the church.
• Author: Curate your learning and research through written works.
• Center or institute staff: Serve as a leader for a faith-based center, institute, think tank, or other organization that values theology.

Our PhD in Theology Program

Seminary phd concentrations.

PhD concentrations are offered in the History of Christianity, Moral Theology (Ethics), New Testament, Philosophical Theology, and Systematic Theology.

• History of Christianity: If you love studying history and the life of the global church, this concentration offers you a deeper study of the development of Christian communities and Christian thought over time.
• Moral Theology (Ethics): For students who have a passion for ethical living, personally and communally, this concentration offers a philosophical and practical look at moral theology.
• New Testament: Does the life of Jesus, and the acts of the early church, excite you? Do you pore over Scripture with an eagerness to understand more deeply? This concentration offers an up-close look at the New Testament of God’s living Word.
• Philosophical Theology: If you are drawn to the work of thought-provoking authors throughout time, energized by philosophical conversations with your peers, and curious about the implications of philosophy for the church and the world, this concentration is your key to open doors of the mind.
• Systematic Theology: What is theology? Why does it matter? How can we respond to basic questions about the Christian faith? What is the story being told in the whole of Scripture? Explore these questions and more through the systematic theology concentration. 

Theology PhD Coursework

Students are required to complete a total of twelve PhD courses for credit in biblical or theological content areas. Full-time students take six courses per year (typically three per semester) for two years. Part-time students take either four courses per year for three years or three courses per year for four years. At least three courses must be taken in the student’s discipline of specialization and at least two courses in each of the other three areas.

In addition to the twelve required PhD courses in biblical and theological content areas, students in the program must take seminar 9103RP, “Teaching & Student Formation,” during the first two years in the program and are expected to take seminar 9102RP, “Dissertation Seminar,” if they have completed the required PhD courses and are working on their dissertation. Students ordinarily will take the dissertation seminar during more than one semester. These seminars are offered on a credit/no credit basis and do not count toward the twelve required courses in the program. Students living outside of the Grand Rapids area can join by video call.

Learning in the Reformed Tradition

Calvin Seminary is committed to the confessional and theological standards of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), but students from all Christian traditions are welcome to apply. The academic freedom to probe the foundations of Reformed theology and to explore the validity of other approaches is a fundamental assumption of the PhD program.

Get Your Theology Doctorate in Michigan

The residential PhD program allows you to learn in our newly remodeled smart classrooms alongside your peers and mentors. Experience true community, below-market housing (optional), and a vibrant city at your fingertips.

Academic & Vocational Support

As an option, PhD students may use the services of the Vocational Formation Office, including formation groups with peers and personal assessment tools such as the Birkman.

Finishing Your PhD

How long does a phd take.

The PhD program at Calvin typically takes between 4–5 years to complete.

Program Details and Requirements

In addition to this summary of the PhD program, further details and requirements can be found in the PhD Handbook.

Program Outcomes

PhD graduates will leave the program with the following skills and competencies:

• Academic research skills
• Critical analytical skills
• Scholarly writing skills
• Ability to teach across the entire field of biblical and theological studies, with mastery of one biblical or theological discipline
• Ability to provide thoughtful, fair, and respectful analyses and interpretations of positions with which they agree and of positions with which they disagree
• Ability to articulate their own biblical and theological positions and engage in informed, respectful dialogue with other points of view
• Understanding of and appreciation for Christian thought from around the world and from diverse points of view
• Ability to strengthen the church’s biblical and theological understanding and its ministry, including the ministry of proclaiming the gospel and discipling believers for Christ-like service in everyday life

What Makes the PhD Program at Calvin Different from Other Seminary PhDs?

• International learning community: Calvin Seminary offers an international community of Christian scholars eager to learn from one another. Calvin is a truly global community, with students coming from over 20 countries around the world. Over 30% of students come from outside the United States and Canada.
• Reformed : Calvin Seminary is a learning community in the Reformed Christian tradition that forms church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of Jesus Christ. Here you will receive a thorough grounding in confessional Reformed thought. 
• Diverse scholarly literature: The program helps develop an awareness and appreciation of scholarly literature representing diverse points of view in the worldwide church today and of ways in which cultural and religious contexts challenge and enrich theological education.
• Know your Christian history: Students will learn about key figures and issues in the history of Christian thought and throughout church history. 
• Solid methodology: The Calvin Seminary PhD program teaches and practices a solid methodology of theological research. You will be introduced to proper research methods and their application as well as to important theological issues and developments.
• Broad range of biblical and theological topics: Calvin Seminary enables teaching competency across a variety of biblical and theological topics through a broad range of coursework and comprehensive examinations. In addition, each PhD concentration provides depth and breadth of learning in a specific area.
• Insightful pedagogy: The PhD program offers instruction in pedagogy that provides insights, skills, and practice in teaching. Courses are innovative and engaging, built on the learning and expertise of world-class professors. 
• Supportive community: At Calvin Seminary, you will find a supportive community from the first course to the last chapter of the dissertation. Faculty, staff, and fellow students are here to support you throughout your seminary journey.
• Significant financial support: Calvin Seminary PhD students will find substantial financial support and options for reasonable living expenses. You are guaranteed to receive tuition support between 25% and 100%.

Library and study space resources: Calvin Seminary offers high-quality literary resources and study space. Here you will discover Hekman Library—the largest private library in Michigan, and home to an entire floor of resources devoted to theology, biblical scholarship, and ministry practices.

How to Apply

Begin the journey to your potential PhD by applying now and submitting supplemental materials. Our application process will walk through the items you need to submit, and our Enrollment Management team is available for help and questions along the way.

Calvin Seminary offers a wide range of scholarships and other financial assistance. In fact, in recent years, nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funds were awarded annually.

Application Requirements

The PhD committee, in partnership with the admissions office, will make all admissions decisions. 

A Master of Divinity , Master of Theological Studies , Master of Theology , or an equivalent degree, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (B+), from an accredited institution. All applicants must show transcript evidence that they know Hebrew, Greek, and a modern foreign language (preferably German, French, or Dutch). Applicants must also submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and a research paper that demonstrates their ability to do theological research and analysis at an advanced level. 

Additionally, an Autobiography (250-500 word autobiography, focusing on personal history, academic/professional background, and church/ministry involvement) and a Statement of Purpose (500 words describing your academic interests and vocational goals in pursuing a PhD at Calvin Seminary) are required.

For more information on the PhD admissions process, please see the PhD Handbook .

Applicants who are non-native in English must submit official TOEFL exam results as a part of their application for admission. A minimum internet-based total score of 90 with a score of 23 in the writing section is required. Use Calvin Theological Seminary’s institutional code 1096 to order scores.

For information on international student application requirements, visit the international student information page .

Admission Deadlines

The deadline for PhD application materials to be submitted is January 15. 

The PhD program has one start date: the Fall Semester. Admitted students will typically be required to be on-campus for an orientation in mid-August.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), like a ThD (Doctor of Theology), is a terminal degree. PhD and ThD degrees from seminaries and theological schools generally have equivalent standing. Some institutions choose to use the degree title of ThD as a way to designate a focus on Christian theological study or include Christian formation. However, many PhD programs, like Calvin’s, also focus on Christian theological study and include Christian formation.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip students for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership. Calvin Seminary’s DMin program allows ministry professionals to develop advanced ministry leadership skills and spiritual formation.

The PhD can enhance pastoral and other ministry roles, but it is not required for ordination .

Start your PhD journey today when you apply now.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is jointly offered by HDS and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Find detailed information about PhD fields of study and program requirements on the Committee on the Study of Religion website.

With a focus on global religions, religion and culture, and forces that shape religious traditions and thought, the PhD prepares students for advanced research and scholarship in religion and theological studies. 

Resources for the study of religion at Harvard are vast. We offer courses in the whole range of religious traditions from the ancient Zoroastrian tradition to modern Christian liberation movements, Islamic and Jewish philosophies, Buddhist social movements, and Hindu arts and culture. Some of us work primarily as historians, others as scholars of texts, others as anthropologists, although the boundaries of these methodologies are never firm. Some of us are adherents of a religious tradition; others are not at all religious. The Study of Religion is exciting and challenging precisely because of the conversations that take place across the complexities of disciplines, traditions, and intellectual commitments.

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• Ph.D. in Theology

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

In and For the Church in America

Our doctoral program offers a distinctive research focus on locating the work of theology in history and culture with attention to the United States. Theology is at the center, but students examine other disciplines and practices. Students take courses in history, theology, and cultural studies and conduct theological research in conjunction with research methods from the humanities and social sciences. The Ph.D. requires 90 credit hours, 30 of which may be at the master's level. 30 hours may be selected from doctoral courses, and 30 hours will be dissertation hours.   Dissertations   focus on theological questions that arise from ongoing life of the church in the United States.

In the second year of study, students teach undergraduate introductory religion classes and can serve as instructors of advanced courses in later years. This intensive teaching experience makes our students attractive to potential employers.

The doctoral program prepares students to teach in colleges and universities as well as those intending to work in research and policy positions in church administration. Students graduating from this program   have gone on   to teach in a variety of academic positions, and have published numerous books and articles.

Program Details

The mission of the Department of Religious Studies is to discover, explore and analyze religious experience in its various manifestations, emphasizing the Roman Catholic tradition in dialogue with the other Christian traditions and with the world religions.

Most students receive full funding for five years — full-tuition remission with a substantial assistantship stipend — which is awarded on a competitive basis.

Applicants to the theology program should submit the following information in addition to the online application:

• Official academic records of all previously attended colleges or universities must be submitted directly from the colleges or universities to the Office of Graduate Admission Processing. Hand-carried transcripts, official copies marked Issued to Student and unofficial copies are not acceptable.
• Three letters of recommendation that address the applicant's academic qualifications from professors or employers.
• A personal statement explaining the applicant’s goals for doctoral study in theology and how these goals fit with the approach, faculty and resources of UD’s doctoral program.
• An official GRE test score.
• A sample of academic writing, such as a research paper, published article, or excerpt from published book or thesis. (25 pages maximum)

Additional requirements apply for   international students .

Applicants to the program will ordinarily have completed an M.A. in theology, religious studies or similar degree.  Applicants with a B.A. in theology or religious studies may be admitted to the program but will be required to complete the prerequisites ordinarily required for the M.A. degree and to complete the core of the M.A. program as part of their doctoral work. Applicants should have a minimum of 3.5 grade-point average in graduate work.

• All doctoral applicants are considered for graduate assistantships in the Department of Religious Studies. No additional application materials are needed.
• All application materials are to submitted no later than February 1. When submitting your online application, please submit the application itself first and then submit all supplemental materials.
• Candidates for the doctoral program are admitted in the fall term only.

Admission Resources

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Graduate Programs in Religious Studies

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Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD)

The PhD degree program is offered to students wishing to enhance their knowledge and competence in teaching and research and to contribute to scholarship in a specialized area of theological studies. The PhD is a research doctorate and requires students to give evidence of the highest standards of scholarship at every stage of the degree program. STH PhD degrees are to be distinguished from other PhD degrees by their focus on theological approaches to the histories, communities, practices, beliefs, and ethical values of Christian institutions and traditions (and the institutions and traditions of other faiths, resources permitting); and by their intention to prepare students for scholarship and teaching in a broad range of institutions, including seminaries, schools of theology, divinity schools, and religiously affiliated colleges. The full text of the PhD handbook may be found on the Advanced Studies website .

Learning Outcomes

• A breadth of knowledge in theological and religious studies and in other cognate disciplines with mastery of knowledge in a particular academic discipline.
• Capacity to conduct advanced scholarly research and writing that makes an original contribution to the discipline that is significant for religious communities, academy, and society.
• the ability to access appropriate resources in the study of one’s discipline, to analyze and assess critically the findings of others, and to synthesize existing knowledge with one’s own findings;
• the ability to employ primary doctoral-level research methods appropriate to the study of one’s chosen discipline; and
• the ability to communicate one’s research appropriately to scholars within one’s discipline and to other scholars, professionals, or publics beyond one’s discipline.
• the ability to design a course with appropriate, achievable, and measurable learning outcomes; and
• the ability to facilitate and evaluate learning within a course through a variety of methods.
• familiarity with the teaching profession and the academy; the responsibilities and expectations of a faculty member; and the ethical standards of one’s discipline; and
• a commitment to collaborative inquiry, mentoring, publication and other modes of transferring knowledge, and personal professional development through learned societies.
• Growth in one’s capacity for a robust embrace of and engagement with social and theological diversity and one’s capacity to relate across difference.

PhD admissions are made not only to the degree program but to a particular track and concentration as noted in the application. A request to change the concentration after admission to the program is tantamount to a new application and requires both:

• a detailed petition from the student justifying the request
• a signed statement from the potential new advisor consenting to take the student as an advisee

These items should be collated and sent to the Director of Admissions, who will then bring the request before the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC) on the applicant’s behalf. Such requests will be evaluated by the ASC after reviewing the student’s record in graduate work undertaken to date.

Applicants must have the Master of Divinity or other equivalent graduate degree in theology or disciplines appropriate to their proposed PhD study. Applicants may be required to complete additional specified prerequisites as part of the PhD curriculum. Graduate academic work with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 is required. The GRE is not required and will not be viewed if submitted. International students for whom English is not a native language must submit a valid TOEFL score to complete their applications.

Those who wish to be considered must complete the application by December 15 for admission the following fall. There are no admissions to the PhD program in the spring term.

Refer to the Admissions section of the STH website for specific application instructions .

In the admissions process, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs assigns each student to a faculty advisor. Ordinarily, students work with their assigned advisor through their qualifying exams and that advisor becomes the student’s first reader on the prospectus and dissertation. In some instances, however, a different first reader may be arranged. Students may request a change of advisor with the approval of the new advisor and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, who may consult with the original advisor before granting approval. Students may secure a secondary advisor if they choose, and in some cases a second advisor will be suggested or assigned from the outset. Inevitably, the student will need to secure two readers, so working with one’s advisor to secure that second reader is required prior to the beginning of qualifying exams. Students may request a change of advisor within their concentration with the consent of the new advisor and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs attested on a signed form submitted to the ASC office.

In certain, albeit rare, circumstances, students may request a second reader from outside Boston University. In those situations, requests (with advisor approval) should be submitted to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, who is authorized to extend invitations to outside colleagues on behalf of the faculty.

Tracks/Concentrations

Students pursuing the PhD in Theological Studies are required to complete 8 of the 10 courses required for the degree in a single concentration of study or in cognate fields bearing directly upon that concentration, as approved by one’s advisor. The other two courses may be taken as elective courses, chosen strategically with the advice and authorization of the advisor, given the student’s methodological approach.

Current approved concentrations within the PhD program are organized into three tracks, which include:

Track 1: Biblical and Historical Studies

In this area, students can specialize in the following concentrations:

• Biblical Studies
• History of Christianity
• Liturgical Studies
• Mission Studies

Track 2: Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy

• Constructive Theology
• Religion and Conflict Transformation
• Theology and Philosophy
• Theology and Science

Track 3: Practical Theology

• Church and Society
• Congregation and Community
• Evangelism and Missiology
• Leadership and Administration
• Pastoral Theology and Psychology
• Religious Education
• Spirituality Studies

PhD Curriculum Requirements

The PhD requires a minimum of 44 units, though most students end up with considerably more.

• The program requires 10 courses (of 3 or 4 units) plus 2 units that are fulfilled by the first-year doctoral colloquia (STH TF 903 A1, see 2.2.3).
• In addition, students must take eight terms of 4-unit supervised internships (20 hours/week) in the 3rd through 10th terms (with a possible exemption in terms 9 and 10 if the student receives a dissertation fellowship). Students register for STH TZ 911 for each of these. A student may “buy out” internship terms by forfeiting their University stipend, but only after they have completed a minimum of three terms of 4-unit internships, as these are central to the STH PhD training model.
• Students not enrolled in internships must enroll for 2 units of directed study (or “continuing study”) with their advisor each term.

Policies regarding the 10 courses:

Students must take three of the 10 courses in each of the first two terms and then take two more of the 10 in each of the third and fourth terms.

Eight of the 10 courses are to be taken within the student’s concentration (or track, when required by that track) or in cognate fields bearing directly upon that concentration, as approved by one’s advisor. The other two courses may be taken as elective courses, chosen strategically with the advice and authorization of the advisor, given the student’s methodological approach.

Coursework for the degree must contain at least three 900-level courses. (These requirements may not be satisfied by directed study courses except by approved petition to the ASC.)

A maximum of three of the 10 full courses may be taken at institutions other than Boston University.

Courses taken to meet language requirements do not count toward the required coursework for the PhD.

Coursework older than 10 years may not be applied toward the degree.

Additional notes:

• One must be registered as a full-time student to be charged STH tuition rates; part-time students pay the tuition rate of the school in which the course originates. However, doctoral students may be certified full-time with a part-time course load.
• The time limit for the degree program is seven years (14 terms). For more information regarding degree deadlines for PhD students, please consult the PhD handbook .

Required Colloquia: To better accomplish the aims of the PhD program, all entering students are required to participate in a series of colloquia during the first term of their program. Students register for STH TF 903 A1 in the fall, and the colloquia cover research methods, teacher training, and professional identity. The colloquia are graded on a pass/fail basis on the basis of the student’s active participation, reading, and any writing or research assignments required from time to time throughout the colloquia. By completing this colloquia sequence, doctoral students:

• Will become familiar with primary doctoral-level research methods in the study of scripture, theology, history, and the social sciences with special attention to library research strategies and digital resources appropriate to those primary methods;
• Will become familiar with various information discovery tools provided by libraries, crafting a bibliography and resources for bibliographic management, use of research collections and archives (especially Boston University’s own distinctive holdings), the social construction of information, and intellectual rights;
• Will be able to construct a syllabus with appropriate, achievable, and measurable learning goals; methods of evaluation; course policies; and resources;
• Will be able to design and deliver an effective class lecture and to facilitate effective classroom discussion;
• Will be introduced to the world of the academy, including gaining familiarity with the teaching profession; the responsibilities and expectations of a faculty member in relation to research and publication, faculty governance and school service, intra-school politics, and tenure and promotion procedures;
• Will learn the importance of professional learned societies and how to submit papers to conferences and professional meetings; and
• Will become familiar with the world of academic publishing.

One or more faculty persons take turns coordinating the colloquia each year and securing the involvement of various faculty and staff with particular expertise, depending on the topic to be covered. Additional colloquia may be required by any discipline, though these will not require registration. The Office of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs coordinates the colloquia, with oversight by the ASC, and faculty members take turns facilitating the colloquia annually.

Auditing a Course

PhD students who have not yet advanced to PhD candidacy may have the tuition of an audited course covered by scholarship if the student’s advisor and the STH academic dean approve the course. This course must be related to the dissertation research or be considered as background or preparation for the dissertation.

• Financial Aid

All students admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy program are awarded full tuition fellowships plus a generous stipend for the first five years of study. The Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan program is also open to students in the Doctor of Philosophy program.

All fellowship recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.3 and comply with all requirements detailed in their fellowship award letter.

The purpose of BU doctoral fellowships is to allow students to devote the time necessary to completing their studies in a timely fashion. For this reason, students receiving doctoral fellowships may not be employed during the five-year period of the fellowship, at least during the eight months of the academic year (outside employment is permitted from May 1 to August 30). There are two exceptions to this policy. First, STH students may serve as Resident Assistants or Graduate Resident Assistants in the Boston University dorms. Second, fully funded students may be employed as graders, researchers, center or program assistants, or other similar positions for additional payment only under the following conditions:

• The assignment provides the student with an opportunity for professional growth in teaching, research, and research-related program development;
• The assignment does not exceed five (5) hours/week averaged over the term;
• The total additional payment for the term does not exceed $1,500;
• The payment is set up as a weekly salary; and
• The assignment has approval of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Students awarded fellowships or other financial support for their studies from outside Boston University must immediately inform the Office of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the School of Theology. Those awards can very much be worth pursuing as they may extend funding into the summer months, but they may also affect the funding commitment from the University. Learn more about financial aid on the School of Theology website.

Doctoral Teaching and Research Internships Program (DTRIP)

The School of Theology provides a teaching and research internship program for all incoming PhD students that orients these degree programs toward a teacher training, research training, and mentoring model.

The DTRIP program requires all doctoral students to accept eight term-long (20 hours/week) internships during their degree program and prior to graduating (they may be exempted from the last two if they receive a dissertation fellowship). While these internships are not paid positions but rather requirements of the degree program, students are supported by yearly fellowships during the first five years of their doctoral work.

Faculty Mentoring and Evaluation of Students

Faculty members who mentor doctoral interns are responsible for developing learning outcomes with their interns at the beginning of each term and for providing an evaluation of the intern during and at the conclusion of each assignment. Periodic seminars and workshops will be offered to help faculty to better function effectively as mentors for doctoral interns under their supervision.

The Internships

All Research and Teaching Internships require registration during the term in which they are fulfilled. The internships do not count toward the timeline considerations regarding finishing qualifying exams or the submission of the prospectus.

At the conclusion of each internship, students are required to respond to an online self-evaluation and faculty mentors likewise provide an evaluation. The faculty member indicates whether time and effort expended was appropriate to the assignment, and thus whether the internship has been fulfilled. The faculty member also makes comments about the competence of the doctoral intern to be included in the student’s teaching portfolio. This type of evaluation is based on the principle that an educational program warrants formal assessment of those it is supposed to benefit. This information is used by the ASC and the Dean’s office in refining efforts to help each student become competent in teaching and research. In addition, the portfolios may be accessed by students who wish to provide the portfolios to future prospective employers.

Academic Requirements

• No grade lower than B is acceptable for use in satisfying the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. An automatic Academic Review occurs if a student receives a grade lower than B. The 10 required courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis but must receive a letter grade. Two grades lower than B are grounds for termination from the degree program.
• Coursework for the degree must contain at least three 900-level courses. (These requirements may not be satisfied by directed study courses except by approved petition to the Advanced Studies Committee.)
• A maximum of three of the 10 courses may be taken through the Boston Theological Institute, and these must be approved in advance by both advisors.
• Undergraduate and 700-level courses will not count toward the required coursework for the PhD.

Related Bulletin Pages

• School of Theology Courses
• Abbreviations and Symbols

Beyond the Bulletin

• Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology Handbook
• School of Theology
• Graduation Deadlines
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)
• Master of Sacred Music (MSM)
• Dual MDiv/MSM
• MA in Religion & Public Leadership (MARPL)
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Master of Sacred Theology (STM)
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
• PhD in Theological Studies
• STH Certificates
• Nondegree Students
• Dual Degrees in Theology and Education
• Dual Degrees in Theology and Social Work
• MA and PhD Programs from Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management
• STH Travel Seminar to Spain
• Academic and Student Resources

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The University of Notre Dame is one of the most important Catholic and ecumenical centers in North America for advanced study in theology.

As a doctoral student at Notre Dame, you will be mentored by world-class scholars, access vast research and learning opportunities, experience both depth and diversity in your curriculum, and be a member of a community of students from a wide range of churches, as well as from other faith traditions, who are preparing for careers in research, teaching, and church service.

The doctoral program places a high percentage of its graduates in academic positions, the vast majority of which are tenure-track.

Areas of Concentration

The doctoral program offers six areas of concentration and two joint areas of concentration.

• Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity (CJA)
• History of Christianity (HC)
• Liturgical Studies (LS)
• Moral Theology/Christian Ethics (MT)
• Systematic Theology (ST)
• World Religions and World Church (WRWC)

Joint Programs/Area of Concentration

• Peace Studies/Theology
• Theology/History and Philosophy of Science

Distinctive Strengths

The Department of Theology has become the international locus for Latino theological studies and our ambitious program of globalization and diversification is increasing its connections to the Church in Africa—leading to a growing program of exchanges with African clergy and religious.

As part of a world-class research university, Notre Dame scholars and students enjoy the benefits of resources in other academic units across the university.

Please contact [email protected] , to learn more about our Ph.D. program. 

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Areas of Study

The PhD program operates in the following areas of study:

• Biblical Studies : Old Testament, New Testament
• History and Ecumenics : Early Christianity, Medieval Christianity, Reformation, Religion and the Americas, World Christianity and the History of Religions (WCHR)
• Practical Theology : Christian Education, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics
• Religion and Society
• Theology : Christian Ethics, History of Doctrine, Philosophy and Theology, Systematic Theology

Program Overview

The program of any particular student may deviate from the following outline at some points, but this sketch indicates in general what may be anticipated.

Complete Course Offerings

Orientation

Orientation and registration for incoming PhD students is held immediately before the opening of the fall term in September. During the preceding May, students will be assigned temporary advisers who will help with first semester registration. Early in the semester a three-person residence committee will be appointed to work with the student throughout the residence period. From this committee and especially its chair, the student should secure counsel regarding courses and other aspects of the program up to the comprehensive examinations.

First Two Years

Language requirements.

After fulfilling the initial modern language requirement, the student enters a two-year period of full-time resident study prior to the completion of the comprehensive examinations. During this residence period, students are required to complete successfully a minimum of eight doctoral seminars or their equivalent (course load varies by area of study). Full-time resident study is generally understood as enrollment for two or more seminars, courses, or directed readings per term, in accordance with faculty advisement, with availability Monday through Friday for library research and interaction with colleagues outside of scheduled class meetings. In no case is advanced standing granted at the time of acceptance for admission. In exceptional cases the PhD Studies Committee may later reduce the time of residence preparation for the comprehensive examinations on recommendation of the student’s department. Under no conditions will the minimum requirement of two years’ full-time tuition be reduced.

First and Second Year Reviews

In the first term of the second year, the student’s work is reviewed and evaluated by the residence committee. The student completes the first-year review self-evaluation form through his or her profile in the online campus directory by September 1. After reviewing the student’s self-evaluation form and meeting with the student to discuss progress, the chair of the residence committee completes the online residence committee evaluation form by October 1. If the student’s committee feels there is cause for concern at the end of the first year, this review may take place in May of the first year. A second-year review is required for all doctoral students. This review provides an opportunity for the residence committee and the student to discuss the student’s progress in the program as well as their evolving vocational interests and to determine whether the student will continue to comprehensive examinations.

Comprehensive Exams

The format of the comprehensive examinations will be specified by each department. The examinations will be followed, within ten days to two weeks, by an oral examination, usually two hours in length. Refer to the “Areas and Fields of Study” section for a more detailed description of comprehensive examinations. Variations in testing procedure must be approved by the PhD Studies Committee. In the oral examination, which is conducted by the faculty in each area, the student’s competence across the breadth of the field is assessed, and a determination is made as to whether the comprehensive examination as a whole has been passed, provisionally passed (with required revisions), or failed.

All seminars must be completed, and grades recorded before comprehensive examinations begin. An exception to the requirement for a recorded grade will be made for any seminars in which a student is enrolled during the term in which comprehensive examinations are being taken. Upon successful completion of the comprehensive exams, the student becomes an official PhD candidate and is qualified to write a dissertation proposal.

Dissertation Proposal

The student is urged to give thought to possible dissertation areas and topics from the very beginning of residence. Seminar and course paper topics may be selected in part to explore such possibilities. After the successful completion of all required written and oral comprehensive examinations, the PhD candidate is eligible to form a dissertation committee. The process for forming the dissertation committee may vary by department or program but should involve consultation between the candidate and those faculty members who are to serve on the dissertation committee. Once the committee’s composition is determined, the chair of the department is responsible for recommending the composition of the dissertation committee to the appropriate department or program, which formally acts on that recommendation and reports the resolved action to the Office of Academic Affairs, PhD Studies. The dissertation committee is normally composed of three members of the Princeton Theological Seminary faculty, one of whom is to serve as chair of the committee and main adviser of the dissertation. In cases where the dissertation project anticipates needing to engage areas of expertise not adequately supported by current members of the Seminary faculty, a non-PTS affiliated scholar (of appropriate qualification and rank) may be appointed to serve as a third member of the dissertation committee (in place of a PTS faculty member) at the discretion of the department or program. The external member of a dissertation committee (except for Princeton University faculty) is entitled to a small honorarium. Such an appointment, as in the case of the dissertation committee’s composition more generally, is to be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs, PhD Studies, which then offers the formal invitation. In all cases, the chair of the dissertation committee and main adviser of the dissertation is to be a full-time member of the Princeton Theological Seminary faculty. Variations in the composition of the dissertation committee beyond what is described above are subject to the approval of the PhD Studies Committee upon the recommendation of the appropriate department or program. Under the guidance of the dissertation committee, the candidate develops a formal dissertation proposal that is submitted to the appropriate department or program for approval by the time of the next to last department or program meeting of the year. The comprehensive examinations must be passed and the dissertation proposal approved no later than the last meeting of the PhD Studies Committee in the third year. Failure to meet this deadline may result in dismissal.

Faculty are expected to read, assess, and return students’ dissertation work within six weeks of submission. Other appropriate faculty members may be appointed as substitutes for dissertation committee chairs who are on leave.

Years Four and Five

Dissertation.

The PhD Studies Committee has set a maximum length of 250 pages for a Princeton Seminary dissertation. Permission of the dissertation committee is required in advance for a significantly longer work. Final manuscripts of all dissertations should be prepared using the current PTS Dissertation Style Guide. The student’s dissertation committee, led by the chair of the committee, is responsible for determining that a dissertation is defensible and thus ready to be circulated to an external reader for evaluation.

Dissertation Defense & Degree Completion

Upon satisfactory completion of the dissertation defense and receipt of all required documentation by PhD Studies, the dissertation committee recommends the candidate to the faculty for the PhD degree. The degree may be conferred only after the satisfactory completion of all degree and graduation requirements.

Degree Duration

The PhD program is designed to be completed in no more than five years of full-time study. The candidacy will be terminated if the dissertation is not successfully defended within nine years of the date of entrance into the program.

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Loyola university chicago, 2024-2025 catalog.

The Academic Catalog is the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies and degree requirements for Loyola University Chicago. It is published every year in advance of the next academic year.

School and Academic Centers and Institutes

Academic standards and regulations, professional license disclosures, accreditation, theology (phd).

The study of religion has been called a “field-encompassing field” (Clifford Geertz) in that the understanding of religion involves many disciplines. The PhD in Theology at Loyola emphasizes interdisciplinary engagement, drawing on historical, linguistic, philosophical, sociological, and literary methods, in addition to the core materials and texts of the fields of Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics, or Biblical Studies. Loyola University’s doctoral program in theology is designed for those who envision a career primarily in teaching and scholarly research at an advanced level. We offer two specializations.

In our Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology (ISET) specialization, students give particular attention to the ways in which theology (historical and systematic) and Christian ethics intersect with and influence one another in particular thinkers and with respect to concrete theological and ethical questions.

The New Testament and Early Christianity specialization concentrates on the New Testament and closely related texts in their historical, cultural, and religious context. The interpretation of texts involves the use of a variety of methods, both literary and historical. While studying the New Testament in its multifaceted reality, students explore the fascinating history and culture of contemporary Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, the richness of the Jewish Scriptures, and the challenging diversity of Second Temple Judaism.

The PhD in Theology can be pursued in one of two areas of study: Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology or New Testament and Early Christianity.

Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology Requirements

The PhD in Theology with a concentration in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology requires 30 credit hours of coursework, two research tools (typically two modern languages), a comprehensive examination, and dissertation. Students must complete a master's degree (30 credit hours) before entering the PhD program; the courses listed below are required for the PhD.

The program in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology (ISET) represents an effort to rethink the riches of the Christian theological tradition to meet the intellectual, societal, and ethical challenges that confront humanity in the 21st century. In their studies and research, students give particular attention to the ways in which Christian theology and ethics interrelate and mutually inform one another.

ISET-ETHICS Required Courses

Students in the Graduate School who write a dissertation must complete  UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship  . This course is recommended prior to completing the dissertation proposal.

The ISET seminar is taken during the Spring semester of the first two years of PhD coursework. Please consult with the GPD regarding the courses which will fulfill the ISET requirement. 

ISET-THEOLOGY Required Courses

Language Requirements

Students who want to pursue the specialization in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology must be able to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German, or Spanish before matriculation into the doctoral program. They must demonstrate a reading competency in one of the other two modern languages (or, in the case of Theology, a language pertinent to the intended dissertation topic) before the beginning of their third year of doctoral study.

New Testament and Early Christianity Requirements

The PhD in Theology with a concentration in New Testament and Early Christianity requires 36 credit hours of coursework, demonstrated competency in four languages (Greek, Hebrew or Latin, and two modern languages), a comprehensive examination, and dissertation. Students must complete a master's degree (30 credit hours) before entering the PhD program; the courses listed below are required for the PhD.

Required Courses

Two (2) of the five (5) electives may be used for language remediation if needed. 

Students who want to pursue the specialization in New Testament and Early Christianity must be able to demonstrate a reading knowledge of Greek and either French, German, or Spanish before matriculation into the doctoral program. They must demonstrate a reading competency in Hebrew or Latin and one additional language before the beginning of their third year of doctoral study. German must be one of the modern languages. Modern languages courses taken to fulfill this requirement do not count towards the degree.

Comprehensive Exams

All PhD students complete comprehensive doctoral exams.

The doctoral exam for Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology takes place over three days. The first two days of comprehensive exams cover the student’s area of focus, either Ethics or Theology, but the third day is integrative. Each student chooses one of two options: to compare two figures in depth - one working primarily in Christian ethics and one working primarily in Theology or Bible; or to focus around a particular theme and propose authors working on this theme to read and prepare

The New Testament and Early Christianity written exams take place over three days. Day one consists of translation, textual criticism, and exegesis of a Greek text from the NT or other early Christian literature. Day two consists of questions related to a large cross section of reading outside the New Testament from 200 BCE to 200 CE. Day three consists of material chosen by the student as their "minor area" and is usually preparation for the student's dissertation research. These three days of writing are followed by an oral defense, usually during the week following the written exams.

Dissertation

Students will develop a dissertation field within their specialization. Following the successful completion of doctoral examinations and the portfolio requirement, students will make a presentation of their dissertation proposal to a dissertation committee, which will include the dissertation director and at least two other faculty members acquainted with the research areas of the dissertation.

Following approval of the dissertation proposal and the successful completion of all other degree requirements, students are admitted to PhD candidacy. Once students have advanced to candidacy, they will enroll in  THEO 600 Dissertation Supervision  each semester to maintain standing with the Graduate School while completing their research and writing the dissertation.

The PhD dissertation must be completed, approved by the designated committee members, and successfully defended orally at a public defense.

Responsible Conduct of Research

All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

Doctoral program, objectives, criteria, and assessment.

The objectives for the doctoral program, and the criteria by which we propose to assess them, include the following:  

• Train students to develop sophisticated knowledge of theological traditions and disciplines.
• Train students to produce high-quality, original research.
• Mentor students to develop pedagogical excellence.
• Prepare students for positions in academic, ministry, non-profit, and other venues.
• Forward the Jesuit mission and identity of Loyola University Chicago.

OBJECTIVE 1:  Train students to develop sophisticated knowledge of theological traditions and disciplines.

• Excellence in coursework
• Successful passage of comprehensive exams
• Successful defense of dissertation

ASSESSMENT:

• The Department has a standard process of oversight through the GPD, the advisors and exam committees.
• Comprehensive exams, written and oral, based on the rubrics found in the Appendices, must be passed by all doctoral students (see Appendix 17: Theology Department Comprehensive Exam Rubric for Ph.D. in ISET and Appendix 18: Theology Department Comprehensive Exam Rubric for Ph.D. in NT/EC).
• In the research and writing phase of the dissertation assessment takes place under the close and formalized supervision of the director and readers.

OBJECTIVE 2:  Train students to produce high-quality, original research.

• Doctoral curriculum
• Mentoring of students’ scholarly research
• Scope and methods of research and dissertations
• Publication record
• Taught and mentored by internationally and nationally recognized faculty, doctoral students begin training in research during the coursework portion of their program. They receive guidance in researching and writing scholarly papers, and they are offered numerous extracurricular lectures, colloquia, advanced seminars, individualized reading and research opportunities, etc. Doctoral students on assistantships serve as research assistants to the members of the graduate faculty.
• Under supervision and mentoring of faculty, doctoral students develop their own research, often emerging from their coursework, which they present at national and international conferences.
• The department’s students engage in wide-ranging topics of theology and ethics, history, and biblical studies. The Loyola Theology Department distinguishes itself from peer institutions by its commitment to interdisciplinary methods, integrating biblical, theological and ethical reflection with literary theory, social and political theory, or medical sciences, among others. The interdisciplinary, interreligious, intercultural, and international focus is reflected in the Loyola students’ interests.
• Many of our students have a strong record of publishing peer-reviewed articles, and/or chapters in edited books, even before graduation. Some students have served as co-editors of books with faculty members. A significant number of dissertations produced by our graduates are later published as monographs; since 2011, at least 27 of our PhD graduates have had their dissertations published; the rate has increased significantly over the previous ten years. Several students have been awarded external prizes and internal and external fellowships, including a Fulbright. (See Appendix 19: Information on Recent Graduates of the Loyola University Chicago Department of Theology Doctoral Program.) 

OBJECTIVE 3:  Mentor students to develop pedagogical excellence.

• Pedagogical training and experience
• Teaching excellence
• Pedagogical training is integrated into the doctoral course of study. All doctoral students participate in two theological pedagogy courses. Most of our doctoral students serve as teaching assistants for at least two semesters, offering support to full-time faculty members teaching core, in offering lectures, running discussion sessions, and in grading. Most after completion of doctoral exams teach one or more sections of courses offered to our undergraduates. All doctoral students on assistantship take the Teaching Effectiveness Seminar through the Graduate School during the year in which they begin teaching as a teacher of record, and all those who are serving as a teacher of record for the first time are assigned a full-time faculty member as a teaching mentor, to help guide syllabus and curriculum preparation (see Appendix 20: Theology and Religious Studies Pedagogy).
• Teaching excellence is promoted and assessed via departmental practices: all teachers of record are evaluated by their students, and their faculty mentors perform classroom visits and provide evaluations.

OBJECTIVE 4:  Prepare students for positions in academic, ministry, non-profit, and other venues

• Strength of mentoring relationships between faculty and students
• Strength of professional development programs for students
• Reasonable time to completion of doctoral degree
• Placement record of graduates in various career paths
• Through intense and strong mentorship, the high ratio of graduate faculty to students, and three endowed chairs whose teaching obligations are dedicated primarily to the doctoral program, students gain sophisticated mastery of theology, ethics, and / or New Testament & Early Christianity studies; and they are prepared to become experts in their field of specialization. The quality of mentoring is assessed through written reports by students and faculty and through regular section meetings.
• The main professional development occurs across the entire range of coursework, exam preparation and dissertation research and writing. In addition, we offer workshops on publishing and on presenting papers at conferences and we strongly support our students’ membership in national and international academic societies (AAR, CBA, CSBR, CTA, CTSA, SBL, SCE, SE etc.).
• The Department of Theology has significantly reduced its average time to degree completion in the years 2013-2017, compared to the previous five-year period (2008-2012). However, in previous years the department admitted not only students with full fellowships, but also unfunded and part-time students. Some of these took much longer to complete their degree. (See Appendix 19: Information on Recent Graduates of the Loyola University Chicago Department of Theology Doctoral Program.)
• In a changing job market, the doctoral program recognizes our graduates need to be prepared for academic careers while enabling them to pursue alternatives to a tenure-track position in a university. Therefore, careers such as non-profit management, publishing, academic administration, or leadership positions in healthcare, and ministry are receiving more attention than in the past. (See Appendix 21: Department of Theology Placement Statistics, Ph.D. Program, 2013 – 2018.)

OBJECTIVE 5:  Forward the Jesuit mission and identity of Loyola University Chicago

• Contribution of doctoral programs
• Contribution of department’s widespread support of Jesuit identity and mission
• The Jesuit Order is committed to a broad range of values: social justice, solidarity, and ecological sustainability. Doctoral level courses stress these commitments, and the department encourages and engages students in multiple services that resonate with the Jesuit mission, both on and off campus. Some of our graduates have gone on to teach in Jesuit universities and colleges, and at least two currently serve as chairs of AJCU departments of theology. In the last few years a number have taken teaching positions at Jesuit high schools.
• Our department’s faculty contribute to numerous programs across the university that support the Jesuit mission, such as the Peace Program, Environmental Studies, Human Rights of Children, and Bioethics. Our faculty are responsible for the core teaching of Catholic theology as well as religious studies. The engagement with diverse cultures, Christian confessions, and religions of the world has long been a hallmark of the Jesuit mission. Our doctoral students share this vision and are trained in translating it into their research and teaching.

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School of Theology and Religious Studies

• Graduate Programs

Doctor of Philosophy General Requirements

• Doctor of Ministry Degree Requirements
• Superior achievement and the ability to pursue graduate work, as indicated by official transcripts from previous institutions of study.
• The results of the Graduate Record Examination, GRE, or Miller Analogies Test, MAT. However, GRE scores (vs. MAT or TOEFL) are necessary for applicants to be considered for most university scholarships.
• Non-native English-speakers should demonstrate evidence of English proficiency through submission of Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL, scores or through some other means.
• At least three academic letters of recommendation.

Prerequisites

Applicants should possess an M.A. in theology or religious studies as offered by this faculty, or the equivalent of this degree. Applicants who are in the process of completing an M.A. may be admitted to the program provisionally if they have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.3.  Applicants should have demonstrated ability to do serious research in theology and should manifest success in their previous study of theology and/or religious studies.

Students in the Ph.D. program should be enrolled on a full-time basis while completing their coursework (i.e., registered for at least nine credit hours per semester for at least three semesters).

Students who have completed their minimum period of residence must continue in extended residence until all the requirements for the degree are fulfilled. Extended residence requires registration for comprehensives (one credit hour), or for dissertation guidance (three credit hours) unless a student is granted a leave of absence or permission to register in absentia.

Thirty hours of coursework after the M.A. degree. Additional requirements may be specified by individual academic areas. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.3

The language requirements for Ph.D. students are set out under the degree program descriptions of the individual academic areas.

Comprehensive Examinations

Ph.D. students will be required to complete written comprehensives within the various academic areas given over the course of three days in at least three distinct areas of study. Each academic area director, in collaboration with appropriate faculty and the dean, will determine the modality of comprehensive exams.

The purpose of the comprehensive examination is not simply to examine students about knowledge already acquired within coursework, but also to provide students with the opportunity to study areas not touched upon by coursework, to deepen knowledge of areas already studied, and to synthesize and interrelate areas of theological knowledge.

Admission to Candidacy

(Admission to the Ph.D. program does not imply admission to candidacy for the degree)

• fulfilled the language requirements
• completed the coursework
• completed minor requirements
• passed the comprehensive examination
• made formal application in writing to the Ph.D. Committee chair
• been recommended by the director of the specified academic area

The Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal Approval Process

• Initial Steps of the Process  The student first secures the approval of the proposal (this consisting of two pages and addressing the following four points: background and state of the question, purpose, methodology and contribution, and originality; the appended bibliography should be limited to two pages) by the director and two readers (all of whom are ordinarily to be members of the School of Theology and Religious Studies faculty). Once that approval has been obtained, the proposal is forwarded by the director to the head of the student's area of concentration who, in turn, will circulate it to all members of the area group for their comments and approval. At this time, the student is also asked to send the Chair of the Ph.D. Committee a copy of the proposal and to arrange for a conference (whether in person or by phone) with the Chair concerning the proposal and to review the entire proposal approval process.    
• Evaluation of the Proposal by the Ph.D. Committee Once the student and director have been notified of the acceptance of the proposal by the head of the student's area group, the student should send the Chair of the Ph.D. committee an electronic copy of the proposal which the Chair, in turn, will transmit to the members of the Committee. In addition, the student is to provide the Chair with i) the Doctoral Dissertation and Topic Committee Request for Approval and ii) the Ph.D. Proposal Recommendation forms (both with the appropriate signatures). The Ph.D. Committee normally meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month; all of the above documentation should be in the hands of the Ph.D. Committee Chair one week prior to that meeting. At the meeting of the Committee, the student's director is asked to be present to answer any questions the Committee may have. The proposal may be approved by the Committee either "as is" or on the understanding that small-scale emendations will be made. In the latter case, it is the responsibility of the director to communicate the emendations asked for by the committee to the student and to ensure that these are made by the student. Once the emendations have been made to the director's satisfaction, the student should submit the revised proposal to the Ph.D. Committee Chair one week prior to the meeting. The Committee may also decide that the proposal requires major reworking and needs to be resubmitted to the Committee after such reworking. In this case as well, the director is responsible for conveying the Committee's remarks to the student and ensuring that the required reworking is carried out by the student. Once this has been done to the director's satisfaction, the student should forward the revised proposal to the Ph.D. Chair one week prior to the meeting who will bring it before the Committee.      
• Final Stages of the Dissertation Proposal Approval Process Once the Ph.D. Committee Chair has the student's proposal as approved by the Committee (or revised in accordance with the Committee's comments) as well as the two other, above-mentioned documents, the Chair will write the student a letter (with a copy to the director) officially informing the student that the proposal has been approved by the Committee. A copy of that letter will be included in the student's file which the Chair will submit to the School of Theology and Religious Studies Dean at this point. The Dean will either approve the proposal as submitted and sign the "Request for Approval Form" or ask for changes in the proposal, communicating the changes in question to the director and the student. The director and student will make the changes and resubmit the proposal to the Dean. Once the Dean has signed off on the proposal, the Dean will transmit the student's file to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.  The Dean of Graduate Studies, in turn, will have the proposal assessed by an evaluator from outside the School of Theology and Religious Studies. On the basis of that evaluation, the Dean of Graduate Studies will either approve the proposal as submitted or ask that it be revised in minor or major ways and will so inform the student and director. If revisions are asked for, they will need to be made by the student in consultation with the director, and the revised proposal is then to be resubmitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies who, in all cases, has the final say regarding the approval of the proposal on the part of the University.

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Theological Studies, Ph.D.

• Learning Outcomes
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Saint Louis University's Ph.D. in Theological Studies trains scholars in one of two concentrations that reflect areas of research excellence and depth among our faculty: Christianity in antiquity and Christian theology. Students are formed as both scholars and teachers. 

Regardless of their concentration, students are expected to explore a wide range of methodological approaches and cultivate a range of skills vital for an ongoing career in research .  Alongside equipping students to specialize within their chosen concentrations, SLU's Department of Theological Studies mentors students in the craft of teaching through a variety of opportunities and experiences, including individualized supervision, workshops and diverse undergraduate teaching assignments.

Curriculum Overview

Christianity in antiquity.

The focal point of the Christianity in antiquity (CA) concentration is early Christianity, from its origins through the rise of Islam. This concentration deliberately bridges longstanding disciplinary boundaries between New Testament, patristics and early medieval Christianity, situating Christianity within the Greco-Roman world and the broader religious cultures of the Mediterranean.

Christian Theology

The focal point of the Christian theology (CT) concentration is Christian theology, broadly conceived. This concentration trains students to become Christian theologians by providing students with a strong background in the history of Christianity and the various subfields of Christian theology. Students in this area of concentration craft an integrated study plan in one of several major theological disciplines through coursework and individualized exams.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Resources for theology students at SLU include the more than 37,000 microfilms of the Vatican Film Library, the archives of the Institute of Jesuit Sources and more than 150,000 volumes of the Divinity Library in the Pius XII Memorial Library (which contains 1.4 million books, journals and other media). The library also provides access to many key research resources, including the Patrologia Latina, Brepolis, Early English Books OnLine, ATLA, Catholic Periodical Index, J-STOR and Index of Christian Art, as well as electronic access to major journals and other indexing tools.

The Center for Digital Humanities creates products and tools to support teaching and research in historical theology. Theology faculty and graduate students are engaged in interdisciplinary work with other departments and centers at SLU, including the Department of Women's and Gender Studies and the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies , the Center for Research on Global Catholicism, the Culture, Religion, Ethics, Science and Technology (CREST) Research Center, and the Center on Lived Religion.

Graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers in academia, educational administration, museums, libraries, archives and nonprofit agencies. SLU's Department of Theological Studies is committed to the professional preparation of every graduate student.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program will have earned a master's degree in theology, religious studies, ancient history, or other closely related fields.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Professional goal statement that should address why you are applying to SLU's Ph.D. program, what you intend to contribute to your field of study, and what kinds of careers you envision for yourself once you have completed your doctorate
• A writing sample of no more than 20 pages that demonstrates an appropriately academic style of writing and contains an argument structured around a clear thesis

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate  English Language Proficiency
• Courses taken and/or lectures attended
• Practical laboratory work
• The maximum and minimum grades attainable
• The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
• Any honors or degrees received.
• WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application Deadline

Interested students should apply by Jan. 1.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by the department’s graduate studies committee.

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of both the key primary sources and secondary scholarship relevant to their area of concentration.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the theories and methods that structure the study of theology and religion and give shape to the history of the discipline.
• Graduates will be able to design and teach undergraduate courses within the major undergraduate courses in the department and develop into competent teachers.
• Graduates will be able to communicate their scholarly arguments effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Graduates will acquire the skills necessary to succeed on the academic job market as well as to flourish as successful academic professionals.
• Graduates will be able to conduct independent research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in their area of concentration.

Non-Course Requirements

Students typically  must acquire competency in French and German, and any other languages relevant to their research interests.

All doctoral students must take four written examinations. The first and second exams must be taken by the first Monday after Labor Day of year 2, and the third and fourth exams by the first Monday after Labor Day of year 3. Spring exams are typically scheduled for the first Monday of the final exam period.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 in all graduate/professional courses.

Christianity in Antiquity Concentration

Christian Theology Concentration

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

For additional questions regarding Ph.D. programs,  contact :

Doctor of Philosophy

Current students: looking for your degree requirements visit the academic resources on the registrar page ..

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The program offers advanced study in the disciplines of theology with major specialization in one of the areas listed below. Additionally, students select a minor concentration in one of these areas or in an allied academic discipline such as philosophy, sociology, psychology, or religious studies.

• Theology/Ethics
• Interreligious Engagement
• Practical Theology

The major-minor structure in Union’s Ph.D. program enables interdisciplinary cross-fertilization and “mutual illumination” that is intended to generate original scholarship. This structure also equips graduates with academic versatility and expanded teaching competency that will serve to optimize their employability in a competitive market.

The interdisciplinary nature of the Union Ph.D. program is further enhanced by the doctoral seminar in which all students participate. By attending to the interplay between the methods of the theological disciplines and those of religious studies, the program cultivates in graduates a sense of the ongoing dialogue between Theology and Religious Studies that marks contemporary religious education; it prepares graduates to teach and to lead in the diverse, multi-religious, and multicultural contexts of today’s world.

Applying to Union’s Ph.D. Program Information Session

This information session, moderated by Dr. Jan Rehmann, Director of the Ph.D. Program, allowed prospective students to ask questions and gain more information about applying to Union Theological Seminary’s Ph.D. program. Panelists included:

• Olusola Adegbite, PhD student, New Testament
• Pamela Cooper-White, Academic Dean, Professor of Psychology & Religion
• Vanessa Hutchinson, Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid
• Aliou Niang, Professor of New Testament
• John Thatamanil, Professor of Theology & World Religions

If you have any questions about Union’s Ph.D. Program, email Dr. Jan Rehmann at [email protected] .

Review the Application Procedures and Deadlines before you apply.

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PhD Program

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The PhD program is a rigorous, interdisciplinary course of advanced study that prepares students for careers in research, teaching, and publicly-engaged leadership.

Doctoral students conduct original and advanced research in pursuit of expert knowledge about the human phenomenon of religion. Students study the world's religions using a variety of methods including constructive, historical, social scientific, and modes of literary and visual analysis. Students may focus their work in one of the School's Areas of Study or through a multidisciplinary course of study. Students develop a sophisticated grasp of methods and theories in a chosen Area of Study, gain a broad understanding of religion as a phenomenon, and join others in the creation of new knowledge. 

Program Overview

The program consists of coursework, languages, pedagogical training with teaching, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation. All doctoral students work with a faculty advisor and area faculty to progress through the program. 

OUR CURRENT PHD STUDENTS

PHD HANDBOOK

Admission Information We offer admission to the doctoral program annually.  Applicants to the PhD program must have a Master’s degree in religion or closely related field. 

Application Deadline     

January 4, 2024

Beginning in the 2020 PhD admissions cycle, there  will not  be an internal doctoral admission petition process for current Divinity School MA or MDiv students and recent alumni. Current and former students are required to submit the same documentation as external candidates, using the same deadline. 

Admission & Funding Information

Students admitted to the PhD program in 2016 and beyond receive a fellowship package that includes full tuition coverage, health insurance coverage for the student through the University Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP), and an annual living stipend. The doctoral student fellowship is renewed annually for the maximum registration period. 

Required Application Materials

Applicants to the PhD program must have a Master’s degree in a program of study related to the proposed area of doctoral study.

• Divinity School Application for Graduate Admission
• Candidate Statement 
• Academic Transcripts 
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Current Resume or CV
• Writing sample, should not exceed 25 pages
• Application fee: $75 (waiver available)
• International students:  TOEFL or IELTS score

Director of Doctoral Studies, Dr. Richard A. Rosengarten is Associate Professor of Religion and Literature; also in the College.

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PhD in Theological Studies Degree

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Next start date, accreditation, join the ranks of major thinkers from throughout church history with liberty’s phd in theological studies degree.

Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theological Studies is designed to help you become a leader in the discipline of theology as you analyze the ideas of important thinkers – both Christian and non-Christian – throughout church history. In this program, you’ll study a variety of influential texts and analyze the movements, presuppositions, and major ideas of the field. Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to engage in open research and inquiry, allowing you to strengthen your faith and follow your calling to reach the highest levels of scholarship and Christian service.

The doctorate degree in theology studies is a research PhD, which means you’ll conduct independent research through the entirety of the program, culminating in the completion of a dissertation that aims to make a significant contribution to the field. Not only that, but you’ll also dive deep into the skills and methodologies of teaching pedagogy, which can help open you up to collegiate teaching roles.

While this degree primarily focuses on helping you pursue a career in research or academia, the skills you learn may also prove valuable as you seek to serve through nonprofits, Christian agencies, and the local church. Partner with us and prepare to join the ranks of leaders in the church who are impacting culture for Christ.

Your seminary degree is approved by the   Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS )   and has met rigorous accreditation standards. You can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Why Choose Liberty’s Doctoral Theological Degree?

As a residential Liberty student, you’ll have access to numerous valuable resources and facilities on campus. Our 17-story Freedom Tower, which houses our School of Divinity, comes equipped with a 7-projector immersive classroom, an interactive classroom that utilizes teleconferencing capabilities, and a state-of-the-art homiletics teaching lab. Additionally, our Scriptorium holds over $1 million in rare books and Bibles – including a 111-foot-long Torah scroll dating back to the 16th century and a functioning Gutenberg Printing Press replica.

At Liberty, you’ll have the benefit of studying under professors who are leaders and experts in theology, ministry, apologetics, biblical studies, and many other fields. With their guidance and mentorship, you can prepare to reach the pinnacle of your career and contribute your own original research to the current body of knowledge in the field. Our faculty are committed to Training Champions for Christ and to helping you grow spiritually, academically, and professionally.

Furthermore, because Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ), you can be confident that you’re receiving an education of the highest quality. Whether you hope to work in a church, parachurch organization, higher education, or other related setting, our Doctor of Philosophy in theology studies can help you get where you want to go.

Award-Winning Campus

At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank among Niche.com’s Top 3 college campuses in America . Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.

What Will You Learn in Our PhD Degree in Theology Studies?

To help equip you for roles in scholarship and academia, this program includes courses in research methods as well as teaching and learning processes. Additionally, you’ll take classes and seminars in core aspects of theological studies, including resurrection, miracles, theological methods, Christian thought, and modern theological movements and theologians.

You can also customize your degree by selecting a major area of focus from the following options: apologetics, biblical theology, Christian thought, and public theology. That way, you can tailor the program to match your unique interests and career goals as you explore a specific aspect of theology.

For instance, the apologetics area of focus lets you study topics such as natural theology and the problem of evil, pain, and suffering. Biblical theology provides a gateway to exploring the theology of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospel. Christian thought focuses on bibliology, the doctrine of God, and Christology. Public theology dives into areas such as Christian ethics, current issues in theology, and Christianity and politics. No matter which area of focus you select, you’ll receive a well-rounded education designed to help you thrive.

All of your courses will build up to your final dissertation sequence, where you’ll research, write, and defend your own findings. This can serve as a valuable launching point for contributing to modern discussions surrounding various theological issues and challenges – so you can make your mark on church history.

View the Degree Completion Plan and check out our featured courses below for more information!

Featured Courses

APOL 920 – Resurrection and Miracles

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Classic and modern arguments against the miraculous with special attention to the resurrection of Jesus Christ

RTCH 900 – Research Methods

• Methods for using library materials, computerized databases, and bibliographic resources
• Research strategies, dissertation topic selection, and familiarization with form and style for research papers and dissertations

RTCH 901 – Teaching in Higher Education

• Important teaching and learning processes
• Syllabus development, lesson planning, and evaluation of student progress for a variety of instructional settings

THEO 903 – Historical Development of Christian Thought

• The doctrinal development of the church with special attention to the doctrine of God, the Trinity, and Christology

Highlights of Our Doctorate in Theology Studies

• Our School of Divinity Freedom Tower houses facilities such as a 7-projector immersive classroom, a state-of-the-art homiletics teaching lab, and much more!
• In this program, you will study under theologians, missionaries, and ministry leaders who have years of real-world experience and who have reached the highest levels of scholarship in their field.
• Customize your doctoral degree in theology studies by selecting a major area of focus, so you can hone in on the specific knowledge and skill set you need for your career.
• Our Scriptorium houses the Rawlings Foundation rare books collection valued at over $1 million, a 111-foot-long Torah scroll that dates to the 16th century, and a functioning replica of the Gutenberg Printing Press.
• Contribute to the current body of knowledge in your field by conducting original research for your dissertation.
• Benefit from the teaching and professor involvement of a small Bible college combined with the experience and amenities of a world-class university.
• Our divinity professors are active in the classroom as well as in research and publishing original works.

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Studies Degree Information

• Residential
• 57 total credit hours
• Transfer in up to 50% of your total degree
• This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity
• View the Degree Completion Plan
• View our course catalog

Potential Career Opportunities for Graduates of Our Doctoral Degree in Theology Studies

• Ministry director
• Professional Christian scholar
• Senior pastor
• University or K-12 Christian school administrator
• University professor

Admission Requirements for Our Doctorate Degree in Theology Studies

Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:

• Admission application
• Official transcripts showing a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts with a thesis in a related field (i.e., Theological Studies, Apologetics, Religious Studies, Christian Thought, Historical Theology, Biblical Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian Studies, Public Theology, Philosophical Theology, Christian Ethics, Philosophy of Religion)
• 3.0 GPA in all previous graduate coursework
• 10-12 page paper
• May be a writing sample submitted for the applicant’s master’s degree or recent research
• PhD Questionnaire
• 2 academic contacts from graduate degree faculty
• 1 pastoral contact
• Reference letter may be requested if needed during applicant review process (personal recommendation letters will not suffice)
• 300-word minimum
• Must specify the applicant’s purpose and goals for entering the program
• Professional vita
• Department approval
• Proof of English proficiency

Please note: German language competency is not required for admission but is a graduation requirement within the program.

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Loyola University Chicago

Department of theology, phd programs.

Loyola University’s doctoral program in theology is designed for those who envision a career primarily in teaching and scholarly research at an advanced level. We offer two specializations. In our Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology (ISET) program, students give particular attention to the ways in which theology (historical and systematic) and Christian ethics intersect with and influence one another in particular thinkers and with respect to concrete theological and ethical questions. Students in our ISET program are admitted with a primary disciplinary focus in either Ethics or Theology . The New Testament and Early Christianity specialization concentrates on the New Testament and closely related texts in their historical, cultural, and religious context. The interpretation of texts involves the use of a variety of methods, both literary and historical. While studying the New Testament in its multifaceted reality, students explore the fascinating history and culture of contemporary Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, the richness of the Jewish Scriptures, and the challenging diversity of Second Temple Judaism.  The study of religion has been called a “field-encompassing field” (Clifford Geertz) in that the understanding of religion involves many disciplines. All of our doctoral programs emphasize interdisciplinary engagement, drawing on historical, linguistic, philosophical, sociological, and literary methods, in addition to the core materials and texts of the fields of Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics, or Biblical Studies.   Theological and Religious Studies Pedagogy Most of our students aspire to careers that will include teaching. Pedagogical training and experience is an important asset when our graduates embark upon the search for academic employment. Accordingly, doctoral students who have completed their course work typically take two non-credit courses in Theological and Religious Studies Pedagogy, and also serve as teaching assistants during their third year. The courses provide opportunities to seriously reflect on the craft of teaching and how we, as teachers, might best encourage student learning. Among other activities, students will develop a course syllabus, write their philosophy of teaching statement, and take part in the culminating event: a graduate student symposium on teaching and learning.   Students receiving financial assistance from Loyola University Chicago for their doctoral studies typically plan and teach their own courses as “Teacher of Record” in their fourth and/or fifth years of study. Length of Program Students generally complete the program in five years: two years of course work, a third year preparing and completing comprehensive examinations and the dissertation proposal, and one to two years of writing the dissertation. For requirements for admission, please click here .

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Phd in theology: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in theology.

A Ph.D. in Theology is a high-level academic degree that focuses on religious ideas, practices, and traditions.

It is the highest level of study available in the field of theology and is often undertaken by those who aspire to become experts in the topic or seek a career in academia.

The curriculum normally takes 3-5 years to finish and requires a large amount of research, critical analysis, and independent study.

A Ph.D. in Theology program may include courses in theology and culture, philosophy of religion, biblical studies, church history, ethics, and comparative religion.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Theology?

Salary for a Ph.D. in Theology might vary depending on criteria such as the individual’s experience, the location of the work, the type of employer, and the precise job duties.

Individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology can become professors or researchers in academia, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year depending on experience, rank, and institution.

Religious leaders, such as pastors, priests, or ministers, may also have a Ph.D. in Theology, however their compensation is often determined by the size and location of the congregation, ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 or more per year.

Individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology may also work in non-profit organizations, where annual salaries can range between $40,000 and $80,000, depending on the type of organization and the individual’s role.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Theology?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for professors and researchers in theology is predicted to be modest, with a projected growth rate of roughly 5% from 2020-2030. This can, however, vary based on the individual topic of study and the need for knowledge in that sector.

According to the BLS, job growth for religious leaders such as pastors, priests, or ministers is expected to be constant, with a growth rate of roughly 4% from 2020 to 2030. However, job growth may vary depending on the congregation’s location and size.

Individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology who work in non-profit organizations may also see consistent job growth, as there is a high demand for people with expertise in religious studies and related fields.

What can you do with a PhD in Theology?

There are various career paths that individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology can pursue.

1. Academic Career: Many people with a Ph.D. in Theology go on to work as professors or researchers. They can teach theology or religious studies courses at universities, seminaries, or other institutions of higher learning. They may also conduct research and publish the results in scholarly publications and books.

2. Religious Leadership: Theology Ph.D. holders can work as pastors, priests, or ministers. They may also work in religious groups in chaplaincy, counseling, or other capacities. A Ph.D. in Theology can provide a thorough study of religious literature, history, and dogma, which can be useful in various positions of leadership.

3. Non-profit Organizations: Individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology can work in non-profit organizations focusing on religion, social justice, or other related issues. They may work as researchers, program administrators, or in other positions that necessitate a thorough knowledge of religious studies.

4. Publishing and writing: Theology Ph.D. holders may work as writers, editors, or publishers. They can contribute to the area and educate others by writing books, essays, and other publications relevant to religious studies.

5. Consulting: Individuals with a Ph.D. in Theology may work as consultants for organizations that require religious studies expertise. They may offer suggestions on how to include religious diversity into their work or create religiously aware policy.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Theology?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in Theology can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in Theology must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in Theology.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in Theology are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

Looking For Scholarship Programs? Click here

How long does it take to get a phd in theology.

The length of time it takes to earn a Ph.D. in Theology varies based on the program and the individual’s circumstances.

A Ph.D. in Theology degree typically takes 3-5 years to complete, but this can vary based on factors such as program structure, student progress, and dissertation requirements.

Furthermore, some programs may offer part-time or online options, allowing students to complete the program at their own pace while working or attending to other responsibilities.

Looking For Fully Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

Do you need a masters in theology to get a phd in theology.

A Master’s degree in Theology or a similar discipline is usually required to pursue a Ph.D. in Theology. This is due to the fact that a Ph.D. degree in Theology builds on the knowledge and skills earned in a Master’s program.

Furthermore, many Theology Ph.D. programs require applicants to have a Master’s degree in Theology or a related field as a prerequisite for admission.

Some Ph.D. programs in Theology, on the other hand, may offer combined Master’s and Ph.D. programs, allowing students to complete both degrees concurrently.

Students can enter the program with a Bachelor’s degree and achieve both degrees in one integrated program in certain instances.

What are the Best PhD in Theology Degree programs?

1. duke university – ph.d. in theology 2. university of notre dame – ph.d. in theology 3. yale university – ph.d. in religious studies 4. princeton university – ph.d. in religion 5. harvard university – ph.d. in religion 6. university of chicago – ph.d. in theology 7. vanderbilt university – ph.d. in religion 8. emory university – ph.d. in religion 9. boston college – ph.d. in theology and education 10. university of california, berkeley – ph.d. in religious studies, leave a comment cancel reply.

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Health Care Ethics, Ph.D. and Theology, M.A. Dual Degree (Aquinas Institute of Theology)

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• Requirements
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Ordinarily, students pursuing both a Ph.D. in health care ethics and M.A. in theology at Saint Louis University begin their Master of Arts in Theology studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology (AIT). In year one, students will complete 30 credits of 36 credits required for the M.A. from AIT:

• Biblical studies (six credits)
• Historical studies (three credits)
• Systematic theology (12 credits)
• Moral theology (nine credits)

During the second year, students enter the health care ethics Ph.D. program at SLU and follow the Ph.D. curriculum for students who already hold master’s degrees. In year two, dual-degree students also become eligible for assistantship funding. Aquinas Institute of Theology will count six credits from the Ph.D. coursework completed in year two toward completion of the M.A.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

Theology, M.A. (Aquinas Institute of Theology)

Health Care Ethics, Ph.D.

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of the foundational disciplines, methods, topics and issues in health care ethics required for scholarly analysis of issues in the field.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in formulating original, normative arguments on topics related to health care ethics.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in applying interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to answer ethical questions in real-life health care contexts.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, develop and bring to successful completion an original, sustained and coherent independent research project that contributes to the field (i.e. the dissertation).
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an ability to generate appropriate job search materials (i.e. curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio, writing sample, etc.).

The following Ph.D. courses may be used to fulfill the final six credits toward the M.A.:

• HCE 6020 Methods in Religious Ethics (3 cr) or HCE 6310 Health Care Ethics: Catholic Tradition (3 cr) [Dual-degree students must enroll in both of these courses during their time in the Ph.D. program. Completion of 1 of the courses is required for completion of the M.A. These courses are offered in alternating spring semesters. Therefore, students will complete only one of them in Year 2 of the dual degree program.]
• A 3-credit elective in HCE
• A total of 6 credits taken toward the M.A. at AIT will count toward the fulfillment of the Elective requirements in the Ph.D. program.

Two of the following M.A. courses may be treated as Electives for the Ph.D.:

• Justice and Catholic Social Teaching
• Ethics of Human Sexuality
• Christian Anthropology

After the end of year two and completion of the major paper and comprehensive exams required for the M.A. degree, students are awarded the M.A. in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. The timing for completion of the major paper and the comprehensive exams is to be determined in consultation with the M.A. advisor at Aquinas Institute of Theology.

In year three, students begin the coursework required for the Ph.D.

Joint Ph.D. students are also required to demonstrate reading comprehension of French, German or another language with the consent of joint program faculty. This can be satisfied by previous coursework, an exam or by taking additional graduate-level language courses.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Take the “Consuming Empirical Literature” exam the first day of class.

Take the “Medical Terminology” exam the first day of class.

An introduction to graduate-level database and library search skills, taught by library faculty.

Complete the clinical shadowing eligibility requirements prior to beginning of class.

Elective must be approved by theology/HCE joint faculty.

For additional information about the health care ethics program, please contact:

Harold Braswell, Ph.D.  Graduate program coordinator, health care ethics [email protected]  

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Study Theology at Azusa Pacific University

You’ll be equipped and encouraged to become an effective and faithful theologian, well-prepared for graduate education as well as for Christian service in the Church and the world. Engage with a broad range of theological resources, apply your learning to contemporary issues, and develop a solid foundation of Christian theology—built up to live a vital faith in a postmodern, pluralistic society.

See Admission Requirements

Program at a Glance

The School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University trains students for effective ministry in the church and around the world through practical programs in a supportive Christ-centered community.

Upcoming Events

APU One Day

• March 8, 2024

Application Deadline

• The admission requirements for your  theology major  will vary depending upon your status as a first time freshman, transfer, or international student.

Program Information

• Program Units: 36
• Azusa (Main Campus)

Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Gain Hands-on Experience

• Articulate what you believe and why.
• Engage in sustained and thoughtful devotion to God and the Gospel.
• Take courses in apologetics, ethics, social issues, and more.
• Study firsthand the doctrines of the ancient and contemporary Church.
• Explore a careful articulation of the mystery, grace, and hope of God’s self-disclosure in Jesus Christ.

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Program Details

The theology major equips and encourages undergraduate students to become effective and faithful theologians, well-prepared for further theological education as well as for service to the Church, by developing in them suitable analytical, reflective, and expressive skills and bringing them into fruitful engagement with a broad range of theological resources as they learn to apply Christian theology to contemporary issues.

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the  Student Services Center  page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Select an option below:

• First-time Freshman
• International

You might think that a private college education is beyond your reach, but  there are many financial resources available to help make an Azusa Pacific education a reality . APU students may take advantage of three basic types of financial aid: scholarships and grants, education loans, and student employment.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships   and   grants   are considered “gift aid” and do not require repayment. They can come from federal, state, or private sources. Scholarships are typically merit-based, meaning they are awarded depending on demonstrated academic ability or other specific talents.

Scholarships are often available from sources outside of APU. You can search for these scholarships through websites such as   finaid.org   or   fastweb.com . The Student Services Center is sometimes notified of scholarships available through APU departments or local organizations, and can provide information about any available scholarships on request.

Education Loans

Education loans   are usually repaid after graduation, may be deferred until after graduate school, and often have very low interest rates.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for   financial assistance   covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Student Employment

On-campus   student employment   is available for students needing additional income to pay for education-related expenses. APU students also find work off campus in the surrounding community.

Net Price Calculator

We’re committed to helping families understand early in the college search process the value of the APU experience and options for affordable financing of a top-tier Christian university education.

Now that you’re familiar with the financial aid opportunities available to APU students, it’s time to estimate what your true cost may be to attend Azusa Pacific. Remember, estimations are only as accurate as the information you provide. Click on the Net Price Calculator button below to begin.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Featured Faculty

Jeff Tirrell

Adjunct Professor, Department of Theology

Chair and Professor, Department of Theology

Stephen Emerson

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Career Outlooks and Outcomes

APU Receives $5 Million Lilly Endowment Grant in Partnership with LPU and LABI

APU received a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment in partnership with Life Pacific University and the Latin American Bible Institute that will strengthen pathways for theological education for Hispanic students. 

Read the Article

Related Programs

Religious studies minor, philosophy major, biblical studies major.

Available Concentrations:

Biblical Archaeology, Biblical Hermeneutics

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