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PhD in Theology

The Ph.D. in Theology in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton is distinctive in its strong research focus on the practices/praxis of Catholicism as it is inculturated in multiple ways in the United States. The program utilizes the methodologies of the academic study of religion in a unique manner – as a web of disciplines with theology at the center. Students have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of theological and religious issues and practices within the field of the U.S. Catholic experience.

The following examples give some indication of the breadth and depth of the doctoral program’s focus. Among possible research topics are the following: 1) an ecclesiology formed in an ethnically and religiously plural society dominated by the history and present experience of immigration and without any recent or long history of religious establishment; 2) the complex relations between church and state, religion and society; 3) distinctive theological issues shaped by the U.S. political context such as due process, the authority of church leaders on moral issues, religious freedom, social justice; 4) bioethics as a distinctively American study with Catholic ethicists central to this work; 5) distinctive patterns of relationships between laity and clergy in this country, as exemplified in lay trusteeism, stewardship, and lay ministry; 6) the distinctive contributions of women, lay and religious, past and present, to the establishment of Catholicism in the U.S.; 7) African-American Catholic contributions to U.S. Catholic life and thought; 8) Hispanic and Latino/Latina contributions to U.S. Catholic life and thought; 9) the distinctive role of Mary and the saints in the cultures of U.S. Catholicism; 10) distinctive American theological and philosophical patterns which impact classical theological discourses such as Christology, theological anthropology, and spirituality.

These and other distinctive issues and approaches mark this field of research as different from those undertaken in ‘Catholic Theology’ in general. The University of Dayton program has as its mission the development of graduates who have both broad training in Scripture, history of Christianity, and systematic and moral theology common to many graduate programs in theology, and the ability to do theological research in interaction with the humanities and social sciences. The doctoral program serves students preparing to teach in colleges and universities as well as those intending to work in research and policy positions in Church administration.

The Ph.D. requires 90 credit hours, 30 of which may be at the Master’s level and 30 of which may be dissertation hours. The remaining 30 hours come from the doctoral courses offered.

Requirements for the program are as follows:

General Course Requirements

601, Theological Methods: Tradition.
602, Theological Research: Contemporary Theology.
603, U.S. Catholic Historiography.
604, American Catholic Studies.

Students must also complete six additional elective courses or directed studies.

For a full-time student, coursework will normally be completed within the first two-three years of enrollment in the program. For upcoming course offerings, click here.

Research/Language Skills

Students must demonstrate basic ability to read official ecclesiastical texts in Latin. Proficiency may be demonstrated by means of a translation-examination or successful completion of an appropriate course in Latin.

Students must demonstrate reading proficiency in at least one modern language other than English. Proficiency is normally demonstrated by means of a translation-examination or successful completion of an appropriate course, such as is offered in the summer months (Spanish, French, and German on a rotating basis).

Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least one additional research skill based on his or her precise area of research. These skills may include proficiency in biblical languages, ethnography, statistics, and others. Successful completion of a graduate course (e.g. sociology, political science) in a given analytical skill is acceptable.

General Examinations

Students must pass three general exams in the following areas of theology: biblical studies, history of Christianity, and systematic theology and ethics. These exams require extensive preparation and include three parts: a two-hour written portion, a 24-hour written portion, and a two hour oral exam with the examination committee. For more information on the general exams, click here.

For a full-time student, general examinations will normally be completed within the first two years of the doctoral program.

Qualifying Examination

Students must pass a qualifying examination, which contains three parts: a written examination on the U.S. Catholic Experience in general, a completed dissertation prospectus covering the proposed dissertation area, and an oral examination with the student’s dissertation committee. For more information on the qualifying examination, click here.

Dissertation

Ph.D. candidates must complete a dissertation under the direction of a director. The dissertation is then presented to the dissertation committee in a public defense. Official copies of the dissertation in final form must be submitted to the Graduate School sixteen days prior to graduation. For more information concerning the dissertation, click here.