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Theology

About the Theology Graduate Programs

Theology is "faith in search of understanding," a faithful listening to and a systematic, methodical articulation of the message of the Word of God revealed by deeds and words first in Israel, culminating in Jesus Christ, himself both the mediator and sum total of Revelation and transmitted in the living tradition of the Church. The department’s mission is the recovery and renewal of the Catholic theological tradition in harmony with the Magisterium and in dialogue with contemporary thought.

The Department of Theology offers six graduate degrees: Three degrees have a theological focus: the Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) for students preparing for a career in college teaching and research, the Master of Theology (M.Th.), and the master of Divinity (M.Div.).  The Master of Divinity degree is the standard degree offered by Catholic seminaries and universities for the formation of candidates for ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood; it is intended at the University of Dallas principally for the formation of the seminarians of Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dallas.  The remaining three degrees have a ministerial focus: The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.); the Master of Pastoral Ministry (M.P.M.), and the Master of Catechetical Ministry (M.C.M.).  (See graduate Ministry section for further information.) 

Admission Requirements - Theology

Application for admission includes a completed application form, two letters of reference, a statement of purpose, an intellectual autobiography and official transcripts of previous college work. An applicant must submit both GRE General Test scores taken not more than five years previous to the date of application and a sample of academic writing. Possession of a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite.

Further requirements include:

Some background in philosophy and theology in the case of applicants for the M.Th.; a minimum of nine undergraduate credits in philosophy and a minimum of 6 undergraduate credits in the Catholic intellectual tradition for applicants for the M.A. At the discretion of the Director, some supplemental background or coursework may be required, if the above prerequisites are not present.

Admission Requirements – Master of Divinity

  1. A completed application form
  2. Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college/university or its equivalent.
  3. Transcripts (including final semester, with degree posted) must be submitted directly to the University by the issuing institution.
  4. Applicants must have attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
  5. Applicants must have completed nine (9) hours of undergraduate theology and/or philosophy.
  6. Two letters of recommendation one academic/professional and one personal
  7. A statement of support from the applicant’s faith community
  8. Students seeking to enter the M.Div. program in partial fulfillment of the requirements for priestly ordination in the Roman Catholic Church are also expected to have met the Norms for the Admission of Candidates laid out in the Program for Priestly Formation (42–67).