Saint Louis University鈥檚 Department of Theological Studies trains students in a variety of sources and methods to help them evaluate and appreciate the most vital aspects of religious experience and thought.
Undergraduate Programs
At SLU, undergraduate theological studies students investigate theology from an academic perspective with the aim of helping students their own understanding of faith. The Catholic tradition is central in these studies but Catholicism is examined in the context of the whole Christian tradition and in relationship to all of the world鈥檚 religious traditions.
Graduate Programs
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program in the Department of Theological Studies is geared toward students who want to pursue focused scholarship, prepare for future doctoral work, or simply exercise their intellectual curiosity. This program offers an ideal first degree in theology, orienting students to the major fields of theological study, including biblical studies, the history of Christianity, theological ethics and constructive theology.
Master of Religious Education (MARE)
The Master of Religious Education (MARE) program, a joint program with the School of Education, is geared toward students who want to earn a degree that will prepare them to work in religious or other non-profit organizations, social justice agencies, or educational or community-based organizations. This program offers students an introduction to the major fields of theological study, as well as pedagogical training and practical experience through required curriculum in the School of Education.
Ph.D. in Theological Studies
The Ph.D. in Theological Studies offers two concentrations that reflect areas of research excellence and depth among our faculty: Christianity in antiquity and Christian theology. 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 long-standing disciplinary boundaries between New Testament, patristics, and early medieval Christianity, situating Christianity within the Greco-Roman world and the wider religious cultures of the Mediterranean. 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 as well the various subfields of Christian theology. Students in this area of concentration craft an integrated plan of study in one of several major theological disciplines by means of coursework and individualized exams.