Policy+Guide

Thanks for taking a look at our Ph.D. program in practical theology! St. Thomas University’s School of Theology and Ministry created this innovative program as a way of responding to the “joys and hopes, the grief and anxieties of the people of our time.” We strive to foster creative and critical correlation between the Christian faith tradition and the “signs of the times” in contemporary society and culture.
 * A Unique Ph.D. Program at a Unique School of Theology and Ministry **

We hope you find this program to be intellectually, personally and spiritually fresh and exciting. Our goal is to collectively and personally engage each doctoral cohort and every student in the emerging conversation around practical theology, understood as both the advanced study of the traditional practices of ministry as well as the dynamic underpinnings of the theological enterprise itself. We offer a collaborative educational approach among a community of learners engaging theological and allied disciplines in critical conversation.

The Ph.D. in practical theology is designed to develop transformative leaders ready to produce and reproduce knowledge as engaged scholars. Deeply grounded in scripture and tradition, it critically engages
 * Contemporary experience and pastoral reality
 * Prophetic and liberating activity
 * Cultural diversity and contextual sensitivity
 * Critical and constructive approaches
 * Imaginative and artistic spiritual engagement

We understand practical theology as a way of doing theology. It begins with a practical concern that comes out of experience, engages that concern in dialogue with the religious tradition and the culture, and through that dialogue discerns wisdom that leads to transformative action. The Ph.D. in practical theology integrates sound theological research, the skills of social analysis, and lived experience. The program is designed for students seeking professional and theological skills to serve church and community through teaching and research, organizational leadership, social action and advocacy.

St. Thomas University’s location enables students to draw on the rich cultural resources of Miami as a meeting point of the northern and southern hemispheres.
 * Our Context **

The program is situated within a larger School of Theology and Ministry dedicated to practical theology at all levels of study, including undergraduate and master’s level of study as well as our doctoral program, which is only in practical theology. This integration of teaching and learning around a unified commitment to practical theology is a great asset, we believe, to our doctoral students. St. Thomas University offers a unique structure not found elsewhere, housing a School of Theology and Ministry with undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs together in a single School. This allows students and faculty unique opportunities for integrated teaching and learning.

As a Catholic institution, St. Thomas University also offers a unique perspective and approach that enriches the doctoral study of practical theology. Precisely because we have a unique voice in practical theology, we find that many from a wide variety of faith traditions specifically seek us out. We welcome all and find that our program is immensely enriched by confessional diversity—as it is by racial, ethnic, language, cultural, and all other forms of diversity represented by our students.

In 2006, Saint Thomas University’s Ph.D. in Practical Theology was formally approved by its accrediting body (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS), and the Ph.D. program began offering its first courses that fall. It is one of seven Ph.D. programs in Practical Theology in the United States. The other programs are Boston University School of Theology, Claremont School of Theology, Emory University, Garrett-Evangelical School of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Vanderbilt University. (See [] for more details.)
 * Comparable Programs **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saint Thomas University in Miami, Florida has the only program in practical theology at a Catholic university in the United States. It is also the only institution that offers a doctoral curriculum solely in practical theology. Other Ph.D. programs require that doctoral students take relatively few Ph.D. courses in practical theology as a discipline. At St. Thomas University, all doctoral coursework and all faculty are uniquely focused on practical theology, and practical theology is approached as a point of entry into all theological work.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of the 244 Catholic institutions in the United States that offer accredited programs of study within higher education, nine offer a Ph.D. degree in theology. (See [|http://www.accunet.org] for a complete list of Catholic institution of higher education.) Besides St. Thomas University, other Catholic institutions that offer a Ph.D. in theology include Boston College, the Catholic University of America, Fordham University, Georgetown University, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, the University of Dayton, and the University of Notre Dame. In addition, there are a number of Catholic institutions that offer a D.Min., including ones with specializations in practical theology such as Catholic Theological Union or the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary), both of which are in the Chicago area.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few other Catholic universities have a School of Theology and Ministry, although such schools tend to be reserved nearly exclusively for master’s level work, particularly the master’s in divinity. The School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, for example, houses master’s level programs and the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College houses master’s level programs in ministry together with a Ph.D. in religious education. Comparable offerings can be found at the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University and the Institute for Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. For more details regarding these programs at Catholic institutions, see the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry ( [] ).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Doctoral studies are designed to form those who will produce and reproduce new knowledge and the transmission of existing knowledge. This is quite distinct from the purpose of master’s level studies, which is oriented toward mastery of a certain area of knowledge, or the purpose of undergraduate studies, which is oriented toward the more simple task of consumption of knowledge. Doctoral programs assume that both mastery and an extensive consumption of knowledge, particularly of related or cognate fields within an area of study, have already been accomplished. Doctoral coursework is therefore oriented toward a kind of apprenticeship in knowledge production that moves a person from “student” to “candidate” for the degree toward being a real peer among other practicioners within the discipline. The purpose of doctoral coursework is for students to assimilate to a discipline of thought and learning by engaging them with the length and breadth of the scholarly literature with which they need to be familiar as they prepare to undertake their own scholarship, above all in their doctoral dissertation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Doctoral Study is Different **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Ph.D. program is designed to accomplish the following five outcomes, as numbered below:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ph.D. in Practical Theology: Program Outcomes and Assessment Process **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Develop advanced competency in practical theology that appropriates biblical, historical, and contemporary sources.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Apply practical theological method and analytical skills in a manner that critically incorporates insights from philosophy, psychology, and social scientific theory and research.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. Cultivate practical theological skills critical for transformative leadership and advocacy within society, church, and the contemporary theological conversation.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. Advance the work of practical theology within culture, society, religious formation, and the life of the faith community.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. Acquire skills necessary to research and teach practical theology at an advanced level.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inevitably, each of these outcomes connects with the other in some way, and so any assessment of one outcome will ultimately reflect all of them. However, some assessments are more related to particular outcomes than others. When students are successfully admitted to candidacy status, for example, the first outcome may be seen as having been successfully met, as well as to some special degree the second and fifth outcomes. When candidates complete the dissertation, the second outcome can be seen as having been achieved, as well as the fourth and fifth outcomes. Exit interviews for graduates will allow for assessment of the third outcome, together with the fourth and fifth outcomes as well. Finally, an alumni survey will allow assessment of the fourth outcome and also the third and fifth outcomes.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stage I: Beginning // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A. Inquiry and admission process, including campus visit and interviews <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">B. Reading or review of core introductory works to the field <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">C. Consideration of possible scholarly agenda and dissertation committee members
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Key Stages in Doctoral Study **

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stage II: Pre-Candidacy Coursework // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A. Completion of courses (36 credits) and elective (6 credits) coursework <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">B. Cultivating doctoral expertise in selected scholarly literature, including completion of candidacy examination bibliographies <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">C. Doctoral candidacy examinations

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stage III: Candidacy Dissertation Writing // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A. Dissertation proposal defense and start of the dissertation committee <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">B. Completion of post-candidacy seminars (12 credits) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">C. Final dissertation defense and format approval for submission of dissertation to ProQuest

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">All interested persons are urged to complete the St. Thomas University online graduate admissions form that may be found on the St. Thomas University website. This is the first step and is required for the processing of admissions materials.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Admissions **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">All materials named below are required for consideration of admission and should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions for St. Thomas University.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Coursework in the doctoral program in practical theology explores contemporary practical theology and method (STM 811), as well as practical theology’s engagement with hermeneutics and methodology (STM 821), its sources from throughout the theological tradition stretching back to Scripture (STM 831), and the critical and mutually enriching relationship between contemporary practical theology and social science, including critical theory (STM 841). Simultaneous to these conversations, students examine classic arenas of Christian practice and practical theological engagement by integrating their experience in a praxis-based approach that builds on and advances practical theological method itself (the practices sequence of STM 911, 921, 931, and 941).
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Undergraduate and graduate transcripts, including a master’s degree in theology or ministry. Students must send transcripts of all post-secondary study. Graduate degrees other than in theology may occasionally be considered if the applicant has successfully completed 15 graduate credits in theology from an accredited institution. All transcripts must be sent directly to the St. Thomas University Office of Admissions.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">GRE scores. Applicants may schedule an examination specifically for their application or submit previous test results from within the past five years of the application date. All test results must be sent directly to the St. Thomas University Office of Admissions.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">All graduate international students whose native language is not English, including transferring students from U.S. institutions, are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL. Applicants holding an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or other English speaking country are not required to take the TOEFL examination.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Three academic letters of recommendation that give evidence of scholarly potential and of the personal skills to be both a self-motivated and peer learner.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A statement of purpose of 3-5 pages in length is required. In this statement, the applicant is to articulate a clear sense of academic and professional interests as well as why St. Thomas University and this program offers a good fit.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A writing sample in theology or allied field of no less than twenty pages.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Resume or curriculum vitae.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Personal interview, ordinarily by at least two members of the faculty.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Application fee, as required by the St. Thomas University Office of Admissions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">From Admission through Pre-Candidacy Coursework **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Upon completion of the prescribed doctoral coursework, which includes the eight four-credit courses mentioned above together with a final four credit core course (Advanced Practical Theology, STM 851), and six elective credits of approved doctoral coursework (which may include doctoral transfer credits and courses taken as directed doctoral research or supervised teaching), students may sit for candidacy examinations. Such students must be in good standing with the university and have an acceptable grade point average (GPA), which is a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each student should begin the program with the dissertation in mind. Because doctoral studies presume the successfully completed dissertation as the primary goal, all coursework, including all reading, writing, note-taking, presentations, electronic archiving, teaching, and any other activity should be directed ultimately toward potential usefulness in the conceptualization, writing, or execution of the dissertation. Each student should become familiar with library and on-line research procedures.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Begin with the Dissertation in Mind **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">While the dissertation structure is not set until the dissertation proposal has been successfully defended, a student can anticipate likely directions and should plan accordingly. Students should use each book and article, and each conversation, notes taken and archived, and everything else as getting one closer to clarity in one’s scholarly agenda and practical theological locus. Each student should be in conversation with faculty as well as with others in the program, including candidates currently writing their own dissertations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is expected that from the very beginning doctoral students will take initiative to develop relationships with faculty outside of coursework. Over time, each student should develop a particular relationship with a faculty member to serve as an advisor in order to undertake a guided exploration regarding possible dissertation topics. Such work ideally will happen during pre-candidacy, not after! On the other hand, pre-candidacy is definitely not the dissertation research and writing phase. Students must not overly focus on their dissertation as they cultivate a general, broad competence in practical theology at the doctoral level. Faculty members can serve as conversation partners with individual students in this and students should seek them out on an individual basis in order to develop a proper balance and discipline appropriate to doctoral studies. By the end of the second year of pre-candidacy, students should have created the third bibliography for candidacy examinations, as described below. This is critical work that anticipates the ultimate direction of the dissertation and the student’s future scholarly agenda.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Doctoral candidacy examinations consist of a take-home essay component, a time-limited, on-site written exam without the benefit of notes or texts, and an oral examination before a faculty panel. The examinations are taken as a group over a period of two weeks or less, generally between late August and early September. Each student will identify three days for the take-home portion of the examination. Ordinarily this will be no more than fifteen days and not less than five days before the on-site exam. The student will be emailed the take-home exam questions at the start of the time period chosen and expected to return the completed essays at the end of the period, also via email. The on-site exam will usually take place on the second Saturday in September, although it may occur whenever students request and the faculty agree. Oral examinations are approximately two hours long and take place before a panel of all available faculty as soon as possible after the on-site written exam.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Candidacy Examinations **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Results are reported for the entire set of examinations rather than for any single portion. Students must pass the entire set of examinations as a whole. Students are given a “pass,” “fail,” or a “pass with distinction.” Students who fail these examinations may retake them at the discretion of the examining faculty, ordinarily not sooner than three months after the examination was last taken.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Candidacy examinations assume an in-depth familiarity within three distinct bibliographies: (I), foundations of practical theology; (II), practical theological methodology, including hermeneutics and empirical research methods; and (III), the student’s particular field(s) of specialization, ordinarily understood as the area(s) of inquiry most related to a student’s dissertation. All bibliographies must be approved by the examining faculty as a whole. Each bibliography will ideally include no fewer than twenty and no more than thirty original scholarly texts. Students will be expected to make use of each bibliography in all three forms of examination (take-home written, on-site written, and oral).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Candidacy Examination Bibliographies **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first two bibliographies are the same for all those students being examined at any one time. They ordinarily apply to all students who entered the program in any given year. These two bibliographies are developed in a collaborative, dialogic process between examining faculty and the students to be examined. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The third bibliography is developed by a single student in close conversation with specialists, ideally including some who may eventually serve on that student’s dissertation committee. Each student should develop an active, working relationship with one faculty member in the School of Theology and Ministry for the purpose of developing the third bibliography and exploring which specialists outside the University should be consulted. Where possible, students are encouraged to develop their third bibliography as part of a doctoral reading course conducted as an independent study under a faculty mentor.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each student should also find a conversation partner outside St. Thomas University, ordinarily a faculty member at an accredited institution, who will be willing to review, offer feedback, and support the third bibliography. The student must provide written acknowledgment that an external reviewer assisted with creating the third bibliography, typically in the form of an email note to the student.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The student should append the written acknowledgement at the end of the bibliography, which should be submitted as a single document for faculty approval. The file containing the proposed bibliography should be submitted electronically to the program coordinator under a file name that includes the student’s name and the formal title of the third bibliography. The title of the bibliography will be listed on the student’s academic transcript upon successfully passing candidacy examinations. The student must receive approval for their third bibliography from the doctoral faculty of the School of Theology and Ministry no less than three months before candidacy exams are taken.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Certain alternative forms of evaluation may be accepted in lieu of the take-home or on-site written examinations, or both, subject to the approval of the doctoral faculty. Eligible students may formally request that a peer-reviewed journal article, published or accepted for publication within the previous year, be substituted. In addition, eligible students may formally request that a fully drafted and original course design be substituted. Such a course design must include a fully constructed syllabus, selected texts, lecture notes and/or discussion design for each class meeting, relevant handouts, and related materials.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Substitutions for Candidacy Examinations **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Successfully passing these multi-day, multi-format “prelims” (preliminary examinations for the doctoral degree, with the final examination being the dissertation defense) confer a new status: that of a candidate for the doctorate. Candidates are eligible to create and submit a dissertation proposal, otherwise known as a prospectus. This is generally written during the first full semester of candidacy as part of the three-credit Prospectus Seminar (STM 861). After defending the prospectus before a dissertation committee of suitable scholars of their choosing, candidates formally begin the process of researching and writing a dissertation. All students and candidates are, of course, encouraged to conduct research and work within their selected topic area as far in advance as possible, up to and including the very beginning of their doctoral studies.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Launching the Dissertation Phase **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A dissertation prospectus proposes an aspect of a topic that is understudied or insufficiently studied, and to which the literature and methods of practical theology may be effectively applied. The prospectus offers a roadmap for the dissertation, including an examination of the literature, presentation of design and relevant methods, and a discussion of the anticipated topics and framing of the various chapters.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rules established by the School of Theology and Ministry of Saint Thomas University call for a minimum of three members on each student’s dissertation committee: a chair, a lead reader, and an ordinary member. The chair must be from among the Saint Thomas University School of Theology and Ministry faculty. All members must hold an earned doctorate in theology or related discipline. It is the duty of the chair to coordinate institutional relationships and convene the committee. The lead reader is someone other than the chair, generally chosen for particular expertise in the area in which the candidate is working. This person initially reviews the candidate’s work, particularly the most specialized portion of the candidate’s work.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">During the writing phase, candidates participate in dissertation seminars (STM 871, 881, 891) designed to assist and support them in their writing and in learning about scholarly work, including panel presentations, workshops, publications, grant writing, and related skills.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Successful defense of the dissertation takes place before the dissertation committee by a candidate who has met and completed all other requirements regarding credit hours and the candidacy examination, and who is in good standing, is the requirement for conferral of the Ph.D. degree. At the time of the successful defense, the dissertation is approved by the committee for publication. It may not be sent to ProQuest to be made available as a successfully completed dissertation, however, until a format check has been completed and the work approved by the Library personnel designated for that purpose. The Ph.D. cannot be conferred until the ProQuest has officially received the approved dissertation for publication.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A Ph.D. in practical theology requires an in-depth examination of theological topics through the lens of practical theology. This is therefore a full-time program of 8-12 credits per semester, with a minimum residency of two years. The ordinary load is 9 credits per semester during pre-candidacy, including some work during the summer and 3 credits per semester during post-candidacy. The program is designed to take a minimum of four years.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Additional Program Details **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">All those admitted to the program and pursuing the Ph.D. must be enrolled in every Fall and Spring semester subsequent to their matriculation in the program. The only exception is for those students not working on their dissertation and with an approved leave of absence from the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry. Those who are not enrolled and who do not have an official, approved leave of absence are considered to be no longer in the program. Candidates who have not defended their prospectus in a timely way, or students who have not completed and defended their dissertation before the end of the third and final dissertation seminar, will ordinarily enroll in STM 896-899 or 999, respectively, for between 1-3 credit hours. The number of credit hours varies with the amount of time students anticipate consulting university faculty.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. All requirements of the doctorate must be completed within seven consecutive years from the commencement of doctoral studies. As with all program rules, exceptions may be granted upon successful petition to the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The coordinator of the Ph.D. Program in Practical Theology oversees the program, enforces program policy, and approves dissertation committees. The Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry appoints the coordinator, receives petitions for exception to program policy, grants leaves of absence, and issues fellowships and assistantships. The faculty of the School of Theology and Ministry are collectively responsible for interviewing applicants, making admissions decisions, and evaluating performance on candidacy examinations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Graduations at Saint Thomas University ordinarily occur on the second Saturday in May. On the evening before graduation, the University celebrates a Baccalaureate Mass, a worship service designed to celebrate the academic achievements of the graduating students while giving thanks for the larger community, including those who supported the graduates in their pursuit of learning and wisdom. The School of Theology and Ministry has a particular celebration of leave-taking for its graduates on the Thursday evening in anticipate of the Friday evening Baccalaureate Mass. This celebration is specifically for the School of Theology and Ministry and celebrated in the university chapel in full academic regalia. While this event emphasizes the accomplishments of doctoral candidates who have recently graduated or will soon be graduating, the program recognizes the entire community that is Saint Thomas University’s School of Theology and Ministry. The induction ceremony for Theta Alpha Kappa, the honor society for religious studies students, therefore occurs immediately before this event. All in the doctoral program are expected to attend, and all associated with the School of Theology and Ministry in any way are most welcome to attend.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Graduation and Annual Leave-Taking Celebration **

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Are people who are not Catholic accepted into the program? // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our School of Theology and Ministry is proud of its strong ecumenical commitment and welcomes students from all backgrounds. We are so committed to that, in fact, that our doctoral program is designed in such a way that its success depends on having people from many different faith traditions—as well as a wide ranging cultural diversity. This is very important to us. St. Thomas University is a Catholic university sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. As we often say, we cannot be a capital "C," Catholic university if we are not a small "c," catholic university first. That is, the word "catholic" means universal, and as such, we wish to embrace all persons of whatever confessional or cultural background. We find that when we are truly intercultural and interconfessional as a learning community, we can enhance the quality of the theological work of all of us.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) **

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">What should my application include? // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please go on the main St Thomas University website under “Admissions” and complete the brief on-line form for graduate admissions. This is an essential first step. We will then need you to arrange for us to receive official copies of all your transcripts, including all your undergraduate and graduate studies. They must be sent directly by the places you attended to Saint Thomas University’s Office of Admissions. We will also need a resume as well as a 2-3 page statement explaining why you would like to undertake our program, together with a sample of your theological writing of about 20 pages long. The sample of writing can be on whatever theological, religious, pastoral or related philosophical topic that shows your work at its best. We also need to receive at least three letters of reference, ideally at least two that attest to your academic work and at least one that attests to your ministerial work. But as long as we have three letters of reference, that will be fine. GRE scores are also essential. It is not that we use standardized test scores for a cut-off; our policy simply requires that we have them before your file can be considered complete. Just go to the Internet and look for the official website of the GRE to schedule the test. If you have taken the GRE within the past five years, we will accept those scores. Just have them sent to the Office of Admissions.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">What if I do not have a Master’s in theology or ministry? // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">You are welcome to apply, but keep in mind that this program is Ph.D.-only. Most Ph.D. programs also include a Master’s degree in the same field. Usually a student simply receives the master’s as part of the Ph.D. program. We are different. We ask that applicants come to us with a master’s degree already in theology or ministry. In a few cases, based on the kind of master’s degree a person has, as well as life experience, we might accept a person without a master’s degree in theology or ministry, but that would be rare. Our School of Theology and Ministry has a master’s program in pastoral ministry, and we would encourage that you complete that program, or some other master’s level program in theology or ministry, before applying to our Ph.D. program.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">What is practical theology? // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Practical theology is a relatively new and growing field within theology. It has long been tied to what have been called the traditional “arts of ministry” – such as religious education, preaching, and pastoral counseling. Over the past few decades Practical Theology has come to also include a strong focus on culture, ethics, social justice, spirituality, and pastoral research. Today Practical Theology has become well established as a theological discipline that starts with experience in order to understand God and how God speaks to us today. That’s why it is called “practical” theology – it emphasizes the importance of the “practice” of everyday faith, life, and ministry. If you have more questions please email Bryan Froehle at bfroehle@stu.edu, the faculty member who coordinates our program. He’d be happy to hear from you.