School of Theology Catalog 2021

Doctorate in Sacred Theology
(S.T.D.)
The Doctorate of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) is
the ecclesiastical degree enabling the holder
to teach in an ecclesiastical faculty. The goal of
the degree program is to train a scholar who
has a broad knowledge of theology, a critical
competence in theological methodology, and
a specialization in a field of theology where he
or she can do original research. The S.T.D.
thesis “makes a real contribution to the
progress of science” (Sapientia Christiana, 49,
iii).
While St. Mary’s is authorized by the Holy See
to grant the S.T.D. degree, it chooses to proceed
very cautiously in admitting only those
candidates of clear promise whose research
interests coincide with that of faculty members
capable of and interested in doctoral
direction. Applicants must possess the
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) degree
or equivalent work done within an ecclesiastical
faculty, with a G.P.A. of 3.50.
Application letters should include the identification
of a proposed field of specialization
along with a statement of scholarly goals and
two letters of recommendation from people in
a position to judge the candidate’s aptitude for
doctoral work.
3. Competency in Latin and two modern
languages other than English that are useful
for scholarly research; the requirement
may be satisfied either by a high
school transcript showing three (3) years’
work in the area or a college level transcript
showing two (2) years’ work in the
area or by competency examination;
4. A student concentrating in the area of
Biblical Theology must fulfill language
requirements in both Biblical Greek and
Biblical Hebrew; Greek and Hebrew
requirements may be fulfilled by a year’s
work in the language area;
5. Submission by the end of the first year of
a dissertation proposal approved by the
student’s director and the Ecclesiastical
Faculty Admissions Committee;
6. Two semesters of dissertation guidance,
leading to completion of a doctoral dissertation
not to exceed 80,000 words; the dissertation
is ordinarily defended within
five years, with the possibility of extension
granted by the Admissions Committee of
the Ecclesiastical Theological Faculty;
7. Defense of the dissertation before a committee
appointed by the Praeses and consisting
of the director, two readers, and
the Praeses or his delegate as Chair.
An admissions committee of the Ecclesiastical
Theological Faculty reviews applications of
prospective doctoral students, and the Praeses
notifies students of its decision.
S.T.D. requirements include:
1. Successful completion (3.50 G.P.A.) of
twelve additional credits, which include at
least two 800-level seminars with the
remaining credits done in directed
research taken during at least one year of
residence;
2. Two terms of service as a teaching assistant;
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