PhD in Religious Studies

A higher calling. Discover an integrated approach to religious studies.

The Theology department offers a doctoral program aimed at giving students an integrated approach to theological studies, emphasizing, within theological specialties, the interaction of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity, and in historical, systematic and ethical approaches to theology. 

The PhD program seeks to develop scholars who can make significant contributions to theological research and writing, and college and high school teachers who can teach a broad range of courses. This broad theological background has enabled program graduates to enjoy enviable success in securing teaching positions in over 200 colleges and universities, in church work and ministry, and in a variety of other education-related institutions.

Students may choose to specialize in one of our department's four principal areas of research:

  • Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity
  • Historical Theology
  • Systematic Theology
  • Theological Ethics

Students also may choose one of our interdisciplinary tracks:

  • Theology and Society
  • Healthcare Mission and Ethics

The Healthcare Mission and Ethics concentration, within our Theology and Society specialization, is designed to provide students interested in careers in Catholic healthcare with a deep grounding in the major theological disciplines along with academic training in practical issues related to the provision of healthcare and immersion in healthcare environments. 

 

Take the next step towards your future

Learn more about Marquette's religious studies PhD program. 

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  • Admission Requirements
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To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must be completed prior to starting graduate school.
  • A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in theology, religious studies, or another field appropriate to their academic interests. A Master of Divinity degree is acceptable for prospective applicants to the doctoral program. 
  • Proficiency in a classical language relevent to an applicant's area of research.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Demonstrated English proficiency for non-U.S. citizens.

Application Requirements

Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.

  • A completed online application form and fee. (Applicants for the PhD should apply for the Religious Studies program on the application.)
  • Transcripts:
    • Submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette1

  • A statement of purpose indicating the applicant's reasons for wanting to enter the program,areas of academic interest, vocational objectives, reasons for selecting Marquette's program, and/or how the applicant stands to contribute to the program's demographic diversity.

  • Applicants with language study experience should indicate formal graduate-level language course work reflected in their transcripts and/or private language study, along with estimations of present abilities reading, writing, and speaking the language or languages studied.

  • An academic writing sample approximately 20 pages in length.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • GRE scores, general test only (Waived for international applicants)
  • For international applicants only: a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

December 15: Application and application materials should be received to be considered for the fall term. Applicants will be notified of an admission decision by March 31.

Financial Aid

The Department of Theology draws on the university's considerable financial aid resources to offer a variety of assistance opportunities to qualified students. These resources include teaching assistantships (TA), research assistantships (RA), minority student fellowships, graduate teaching fellowships, dissertation fellowships, M.A.C.D. scholarship, Smith family fellowships, Arthur J. Schmitt fellowships, John P. Raynor, S.J., fellowships, and Marquette University scholarships. For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships), visit the departmental financial aid webpage.

Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for student loans to help fund their educational expenses as well.