Loyola University Chicago

• Academic Resources
• Application Deadlines
• Application Requirements
• Contact Information
• Degree Programs (Ph.D., M.A.)
• Faculty
• Overview

   Overview

At Loyola University Chicago, theology is the disciplined study of the Christian faith. It serves the Church through its fidelity to the Christian tradition and the world by affirming all that harmonizes with the Gospel and by challenging all that does not.

The Department of Theology has a truly enviable placement record. All of our doctoral students have found employment upon graduation in field-appropriate positions. Students secure academic and administrative positions at institutions of higher education and seminaries and consulting positions with well-known organizations. They also receive fellowships for further study both in the United States and abroad.

Few graduate programs offer students so many opportunities to work closely with such a well-published and nationally known faculty. With more than 20 full-time graduate faculty members, students receive outstanding, personalized attention. The program also emphasizes collaborative and interdisciplinary study, enabling students to explore the connections between their chosen specializations and areas outside the traditional "field" of theology.  

   Degree Programs (Ph.D., M.A.)

The Department of Theology offers both Ph.D. and M.A. degree programs. Specializations within each degree are available. 

   Ph.D. Degree Program

The doctoral program in theology at Loyola University Chicago is designed for those students who envision a career primarily in teaching and scholarly research at an advanced level.

Length of Program: Students possessing an MA can complete the program in five to six years: two years of course work, a third year of preparation and completion of comprehensive examinations and the dissertation proposal, and one to two years of writing the dissertation.

Specializations: Starting in the fall of 2010 specializations will be offered in two areas:  Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology and New Testament and Early Christianity. The first, Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology, features a new and innovative curriculum that replaces the two specializations previously offered in Constructive Theology and Christian Ethics. The second, New Testament and Early Christianity, maintains the focus on historical and linguistic skills, but at the same time seeks to bring its students into conversation with other students in theology through interdisciplinary course work and opportunities for advanced theological study.

Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology:  The PhD in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology 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. The challenges people face today are complex and multi-faceted and encompass both theoretical concerns and practical choices on both the societal and personal levels. To meet these challenges the customary partition of disciplines must give way to new interdisciplinary dialogues, even as the typical divorce of theory from concrete practice must give way to more comprehensive solutions where theory and practice mutually inform each other. At its best, a Christian life is one of both intellectual and practical virtue, and the Roman Catholic tradition of this Christian life has been insistent that the intellectual and practical virtues are inseparable.

The program in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology seeks to respond to the challenge of these times by bringing together into one program the bodies of scholarship that have grown up around the central ethical and theological questions of the Christian experience of God. Indeed, the separation of systematic theology, ethics, and spirituality is a relatively recent development in the history of Christian thought, and while the separation has been advantageous to each area, it has also frequently meant the obscuring—and even loss—of the broader perspectives in which certain themes and problems must be situated today. Moreover, since the fields of theology and ethics share many common historical figures and texts (e.g., Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Luther) as well as methodological concerns (the use of scripture, the relationship to reason and experience), integrating the two fields at the outset of doctoral students’ careers makes eminent sense, enabling students to understand better the ways that the two fields both connect and diverge. To this end, all students in the program participate during their first year in a common two-semester course devoted to a close reading of a set of historic and modern texts that have been formative for Christian theological and moral reflection. In the second-year seminar, students focus on a common theme.  Common reading lists and comprehensive examinations provide further opportunities for integration and dialogue.

Integration cannot take place without concentration, and so all students in the program also focus their advanced study in one of two focal areas that provides them with the expertise they need for their future careers in the profession: systematic theology or ethics. Through course work in their chosen area of focus, comprehensive examinations, and finally the dissertation, students will demonstrate their ability to serve the needs of today’s academic and professional communities.

New Testament and Early Christianity:  The New Testament and Early Christianity specialization concentrates on the Christian Church in the period of its emergence: approximately 200 B.C.E. to 200 C.E. Students explore the Church’s roots in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuagint, Intertestamental Judaism, and contemporary Jewish and Greco-Roman history and culture.  By means of a two-course interdisciplinary requirement and numerous informal opportunities, students in New Testament and Early Christianity are encouraged to engage intentionally in conversation with students and faculty in theology and ethics and to reflect on the Bible as the Church’s scripture.    
 
Theological Pedagogy

Since teaching is frequently a significant part of our graduates' professional goals, we offer doctoral students who have completed their coursework an opportunity to take a non-credit course in Theological Pedagogy, as well as the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants. The course is offered each spring and provides mentoring, self-videotaping, assistance in the development of syllabi and opportunities for students to reflect on their philosophy of teaching. Participants create a professional file to parallel their academic curriculum vitae (CV).

   M.A. Degree Program

The M.A. degree program is appropriate for students seeking either a terminal degree or a degree that will prepare them to pursue a doctoral degree. Applicants can be admitted to the program on a part-time basis. Many courses are conveniently scheduled during evening hours.

Full-time students usually complete the program in two years. All M.A. students must pass a four-hour comprehensive examination. No thesis is required.  

Concentrations

M.A. students may currently choose between the following concentrations:

Biblical Studies: The Biblical Studies concentration consists of thirty semester hours, including: 

• At least five courses in Biblical Studies
• One course in Constructive Theology
• One course in Christian Ethics
• Three elective courses

Biblical Languages and Literature: The concentration in Biblical Languages and Literature consists of 36 semester hours, including:

• At least four courses in Biblical Studies, two of which must be Old Testament courses and two of which must be New Testament courses
• One course in Constructive Theology
• One course in Christian Ethics
• Four courses in a major biblical language (Hebrew or Greek)
• Two courses in a minor biblical language (Hebrew or Greek)

Christian Ethics: The concentration in Christian ethics requires students to do half (15 hours) of their coursework in this subfield. Normally, students also take:

• Two courses from the field of Constructive Theology
• Two courses in the area of Biblical Studies (one in Old Testament and one in New Testament)
• One elective

Theological Studies: This thirty-hour concentration emphasizes exposure to the full range of theological investigation. Students pursuing this specialization normally complete two courses in each of the following areas:

• Biblical Studies (one course in Old Testament and one in New Testament)
• Constructive Theology
• Christian Ethics

The remaining four graduate courses are then chosen from other offerings in theology or other relevant fields such as philosophy, classical studies, history, medieval studies, pastoral studies or the social sciences. For more information about these degrees, visit www.luc.edu/theology/academics_graduate.shtml

   Academic Resources

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many academic resources available to them at the university through such departments as Classical Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, History and Sociology, or through several of the professional schools and institutes at Loyola, such as the Institute of Pastoral Studies, the Law School, the Medical School and the School of Social Work. Additional important resources are available through the Center for Ethics and Social Justice, the Center for Catholic Intellectual Heritage and the Center for Urban Research and Learning. Additionally, graduate study in theology at Loyola offers ample opportunities for contact with other academic institutions.
 

   Faculty  

Members of the theology faculty at Loyola University Chicago often explore and publish in areas other than their primary research interest or particular discipline. Faculty members also present at conferences and serve on the boards of national organizations, such as the Catholic Theology Society of America, the Catholic Biblical Association of America and the Society of Christian Ethics.

Mark Bosco, Ph.D. (Graduate Theological Union), S.J. Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Theology and literature, sacraments

Wendy Cotter, Ph.D. (University of St. Michael’s College), C.S.J. Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Synoptic gospels, Hellenistic and Jewish culture

Robert A. Di Vito, Ph.D. (Harvard University), Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Old Testament and Northwest Semitic philology

William C. French, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Social ethics (ecological ethics, war and peace studies), Catholic and Protestant ethical theories

Marcia Hermansen, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Professor
Areas of interest: Islamic studies, Islam in America, mysticism

Edmondo Lupieri, Ph.D. (University of Pisa) Professor, John Cardinal Cody Endowed Chair. Area of Interest: New Testament Studies, Gnosticism, Apocalyptical Writers.

Dennis D. Martin, Ph.D. (University of Waterloo), Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Historical theology, history of spirituality and monastic theology, Reformation history and theology

LaReine-Marie V. Mosely,  PhD (University of Notre Dame) Assistant Professor
Areas of Interest: African American Religious Experiences, Black Theology

Jon Nilson, Ph.D. (University of Notre Dame), Professor
Areas of interest: Systematic theology, 19th- and 20th-century Roman Catholicism, ecumenism

Hugh Nicholson, Ph.D. (Boston College, Assistant Professor)
Areas of interest: Religious and Comparative theologies, Hinduism

Tracy Pintchman, Ph.D. (University of California at Santa Barbara), Professor
Areas of interest: Religious studies, Hinduism, women and religion in India

Susan A. Ross, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Professor
Areas of interest: Systematic, feminist, sacramental theology and ethics; theological anthropology

Michael Schuck, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Roman Catholic social thought; political, economic and social theory

David Stagaman, D.Th. (Institut Catholique de Paris), S.J. Professor
Areas of interest: Philosophy of language, church in the world, Wittgenstein, hermeneutics

Sandra Sullivan-Dunbar, (The University of Chicago) Assistant Professor
Areas of interest: Roman Catholic Social Thought, Family ethics, social theory
 
Gene Szarek, Ph.D. (Marquette University), C.R. Assistant Professor
Areas of interest: Theological pedagogy

Thomas H. Tobin, Ph.D. (Harvard University), S.J. Professor
Areas of interest: Letters of Paul, Hellenistic Judaism, early Christian Gnosticism

Aana Marie Vigen, Ph.D. (Union Theological Seminary), Assistant Professor
Areas of interest: Medical and health care ethics, cultural and ethnographic approaches to ethics

Pauline A. Viviano, Ph.D. (St. Louis University), Associate Professor
Areas of interest: Deuteronomistic history, Genesis, Jeremiah, biblical hermeneutics

Urban C. von Wahlde, Ph.D. (Marquette University), Professor
Areas of interest: The Gospel and letters of John

   Application Requirements

Applicants to the Department of Theology's M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs generally have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

Language Requirements: Students who intend to enter the Ph.D. degree program in Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology are required to have a reading knowledge of French, German or Spanish prior to their matriculation into the program. Students who intend to specialize in the Ph.D. degree program in New Testament or Early Christianity are required to have a reading knowledge of classical Greek and a reading competency in French, German, Italian or Spanish prior to matriculation. Ph.D. applicants should include a statement indicating the research languages in which they have reading ability or specifying how they plan to acquire that ability prior to their matriculation. For a more detailed description of language guidelines, visit www.luc.edu/theology

• A $50 application fee (does not apply to on-line applications
• A completed application form. To apply, go to www.luc.edu/gpem
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work
• Scores for the GRE (general examination)
• Three letters of recommendation regarding scholarly potential
• A statement of purpose describing academic and research interests, as well as professional goals. Please indicate the departmental area of specialization to which you are applying on your statement of purpose. Ph.D. applicants may choose among the following: Integrative Studies in Ethics and Theology or New Testament and Early Christianity. M.A. applicants may choose among the following: Biblical Studies, Biblical Languages and Literature, Christian Ethics, or Theological Studies
• A writing sample (optional)
• Documentation regarding language prerequisite(s) (Ph.D. only) (see above)
• Either a TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. For the TOEFL, a score of at least 250 on the computer-based test or 600 on the written test is required. The minimum score for the new TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test) is 100. For the IELTS, a minimum score of seven is required
• International applicants, or U.S. applicants who completed school abroad, are required to submit non-U.S. transcripts to World Education Services (WES): www.wes.org  (312) 222-0882, or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). For more information, contact ECE at 414-289-3400 or visit www.ece.org

Please request a general evaluation report for all undergraduate work and request a course-by-course evaluation for all master's level work and have the official report sent to Loyola University Chicago, Graduate Enrollment Management, 820 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.  
 

   Application Deadlines

Ph.D. Degree Program

Fall admission: January 15 (for assistantship applicants).
(Note: Only Ph.D. applications completed by January 15 will be considered for merit awards)

M.A. Degree Program

Fall admission: July 1
Spring admission: November 1

Deadline and application requirements are subject to change. Please check www.luc.edu/theology for the most up-to-date information.

   Contact Information

The application and all supporting documents must be sent to Graduate Enrollment Management at the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312.915.8950
E-mail: GradApp@luc.edu

For further information about the academic program, or to arrange a visit, contact:

Department of Theology
Loyola University Chicago
Third Floor—Crown Center for the Humanities
6525 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, Illinois 60626
Phone: 773.508.2350
E-mail: theology@luc.edu
www.luc.edu/theology