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Theological Studies, Ph.D.

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.Ìý

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.ÌýAlongside 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.

Careers

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.

91ÖÆƬ³§ 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
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
  • 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:

  • ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • 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.
  • In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
    • 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.

°Õ³Ü¾±³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

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.Ìý

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

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

Non-Course Requirements

Students ³Ù²â±è¾±³¦²¹±ô±ô²âÌýmust 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

°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6000Theories and Methods3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6020Christianity in Antiquity Survey3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6110Christianity in Antiquity Seminar (repeat as needed)12
Theological Texts12
Select 12 credits from:
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6300
Late Ancient Syriac: Theological Texts
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6310
Late Ancient Greek: Theological Texts
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6320
Readings and Advanced Research in Latin Theological Texts of Late Antiquity
Electives6
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210Dissertation Prospectus (taken over two semesters)6
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total)0-9
Total Credits54

Christian Theology Concentration

°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5270Christian Tradition I (recommended)3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5280Christian Tradition II (recommended)3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6000Theories and Methods3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6040Christian Theology Introduction3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140Christian Theology Seminar (repeat as needed)15
Electives9
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210Dissertation Prospectus (taken over two semesters)6
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total)0-9
Total Credits54

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

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.

Christianity in Antiquity Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6020 Christianity in Antiquity Survey 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6110 Christianity in Antiquity Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6300
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6310
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6320
Late Ancient Syriac: Theological Texts
or Late Ancient Greek: Theological Texts
or Readings and Advanced Research in Latin Theological Texts of Late Antiquity
3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6000 Theories and Methods 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6110 Christianity in Antiquity Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6300
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6310
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6320
Late Ancient Syriac: Theological Texts
or Late Ancient Greek: Theological Texts
or Readings and Advanced Research in Latin Theological Texts of Late Antiquity
3
ÌýCredits9
Year Two
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6110 Christianity in Antiquity Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6300
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6310
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6320
Late Ancient Syriac: Theological Texts
or Late Ancient Greek: Theological Texts
or Readings and Advanced Research in Latin Theological Texts of Late Antiquity
3
Elective 3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6110 Christianity in Antiquity Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6300
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6310
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6320
Late Ancient Syriac: Theological Texts
or Late Ancient Greek: Theological Texts
or Readings and Advanced Research in Latin Theological Texts of Late Antiquity
3
Elective 3
ÌýCredits9
Year Three
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210 Dissertation Prospectus 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 6
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210 Dissertation Prospectus 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 6
ÌýCredits9
Year Four
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Year Five
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
ÌýTotal Credits54

Christian Theology Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140 Christian Theology Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6040 Christian Theology Introduction 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5270 Christian Tradition I 3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6000 Theories and Methods 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140 Christian Theology Seminar (first topic) 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5280
Christian Theology Seminar (second topic)
or Christian Tradition II
3
ÌýCredits9
Year Two
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140 Christian Theology Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5270 Christian Tradition I (take when first offered) 3
Elective 3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140 Christian Theology Seminar 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý5280
or °Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6140
Christian Tradition II
or Christian Theology Seminar
3
Elective 3
ÌýCredits9
Year Three
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210 Dissertation Prospectus 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 6
ÌýCredits9
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6210 Dissertation Prospectus 3
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 6
ÌýCredits9
Year Four
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Year Five
Fall
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
Spring
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 0
ÌýCredits0
ÌýTotal Credits54

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

Elizabeth Sweeny Block, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Graduate Programs
elizabeth.block@slu.edu
Ìý