The Dominican House of Studies

Degree Programs in the Thomistic Tradition

Catholic theology in the Thomistic tradition for Dominican students and all who are interested in serving the Church, evangelizing the world, and growing in virtue, wisdom, and holiness.

  • Master of Arts (Theology) (M.A.)

    The M.A. (Theology) is a two-year program of theology in the Thomistic tradition. It was introduced in 1993 to better serve laypersons by facilitating further theological studies or the faithful service of the pastoral needs of the Church.

  • Master of Arts (Thomistic Studies)

    The M.A. (Thomistic Studies) is a degree program offered by the Thomistic Institute of the PFIC specializing in the study of the theological synthesis of St. Thomas Aquinas. Students receive an intensive formation in Aquinas’s texts and ideas

  • Master of Divinity (M. Div.)

    The degree of Master of Divinity is a first professional degree, designed to foster basic theological understanding and develop initial pastoral competence on the part of students preparing for ministry

  • Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)

    The degree of Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology provides the student with a solid, organic, and complete instruction in theology at the basic level, enabling graduates to pursue further studies in the sacred sciences.

  • Licentiate of Sacred Theology

    The Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception offers an advanced and specialized research degree, the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S. T. L.).

  • Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)

    The Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) is a specialized degree program in Thomistic studies. It offers a terminal degree (the ecclesiastical doctorate) that is granted by the authority and in the name of the Holy See.

Retention Rates (Fall 2017 – Fall 2022 cohorts)

MA (Theology)
70%

MA (Thomistic Studies)
81%

MDiv
82%

STB
81%

STL
92%

STD
75%

Graduation Rates (Fall 2012 – Fall 2022)

MA
40%

MDiv
64%

STB
73%

STL
74%

N.B. The publication of the above graduation rates is required by accrediting agencies. The figures represent the percentage of students who have completed the respective degree programs during the years of assessment. An entry year is assessed once 150% of the expected time period to complete a degree has transpired. Thus as of June 2023, this includes students who entered the M.A. (Theology), M.Div., S.T.B., or the S.T.L. program between Fall 2012 and Fall 2016.

These figures do not distinguish between students who fail to complete their program for academic reasons, or for personal reasons, or because he or she has been reassigned by his or her religious superiors. The MDiv program in particular is an intellectually and socially demanding program expecting the highest levels of performance and personal integrity from students in priestly formation. Most MDiv students are also STB candidates.

Degree Completion Periods (Fall 2012 – Fall 2022)

Standard Publicized Degree Requirements
MA = 4 semesters (36 credits)
MDiv = 8 semesters (112 credits)
STB = 8 semesters (90 credits)
STL = 4 semesters (36 credits)

Full-time MA students typically complete their studies in 4.36 semesters.

Full-time MDiv students typically complete their studies in 10.70 semesters.

Full-time STB students typically complete their studies in 9.25 semesters.

Full-time STL students typically complete their studies in 4.09 semesters.

Part-time MA students typically complete their studies in 6.00 semesters.

Part-time MDiv students typically complete their studies in N/A semesters.

Part-time STB students typically complete their studies in N/A semesters.

Part-time STL students typically complete their studies in N/A semesters.

N.B. The publication of the above list of degree completion periods is required by accrediting agencies. The assessment period follows that listed above under “Graduation Rates”. No distinction is made between students who begin studies in one program and complete it, and students who switch programs at some later date. The latter will have effectively shortened degree completion periods, but since these are highly variable they are not accurately reflected in a separate table. Likewise, the above periods make no distinction between those who transfer credits from another school, whether pre-requisites or otherwise, and those in more or less need of credits with the PFIC. Any such table will bear significant limitations in the impression it conveys because of the high variability of coursework with which an individual student begins a program. Only those students who have graduated are considered herein.

Placement Rates

MDiv = 100%

For lay students undertaking study with the PFIC, the M.A. degree is for personal enrichment, and not a ministerial degree designed necessarily to lead to employment or a vocation. Information from the graduates indicates that the M.A. degree enriched their lives and fulfilled the purposes for which they undertook the study.

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Helpful Resources

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