THEOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Program Details:
| Theology PhD | MA, MMT, MTS and Certificates | |
| Program Director: | Dr. Rachel Smith | Dr. Jennifer Jackson |
| Phone Number: | 610-519-4730 | 610-519-6476 |
| Website: | Theology PhD |
MA, MMT, MTS and Certificates |
| Location: | On-campus only |
On-campus only |
Please visit the department website for more details about graduate programs in theology.
Application Details:
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Note: If you are a member of a religious order or have been ordained within a Christian denomination that is governed by bishops, one of these three letters must be requested from your immediate superior or bishop.
- Application Essay
- In a single, interesting, well-balanced, and academic essay of between 1,200 and 1,500 words, please answer the following two questions while also demonstrating critical reflection, careful argumentation and your best scholarly writing:
- A Villanova PhD in Theology commits you to studying the intersection of faith and culture within the Catholic tradition. Which two or three texts have done the most to inform your interest in this intersection? How exactly have they done this?
- A Villanova PhD in Theology also commits you to two areas of specialization. Which questions and/or readings have motivated your choice for these two areas? How will studying in these areas improve your ability to understand and/or address them?
- In a single, interesting, well-balanced, and academic essay of between 1,200 and 1,500 words, please answer the following two questions while also demonstrating critical reflection, careful argumentation and your best scholarly writing:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadline:
- Applications for Fall 2026 open September 2.
- Funding available: Closed
- Credits and Tuition:
- 87 credits
- $847 per credit, plus $100 general fee per semester
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
Application Details:
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Application Essay (500 words)
- Prompt: Which situations, questions, and/or readings have motivated you to study theology within the Catholic tradition, and what are your goals for pursuing the degree?
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis for all deadlines except those tied to funding consideration. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring: December 1
- Fall, with funding consideration: February 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: Yes
- Deadline February 1, for Fall admittance only. Learn more about funding opportunities.
- Credits and Tuition:
- 36 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- 36 credits
- APPLY NOW
Two Tracks: General Pastoral Ministry or Chaplaincy Education
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 2 of your recommendations should be academic, and one should be ministerial.
- Pastoral Ministry Statement (500 or fewer words)
- Prompt: Which situations, questions, and/or readings have motivated you to study theology and pastoral ministry within the Catholic tradition, and what are your goals for pursuing the degree?
- Resume
- Interview
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis for all deadlines except those tied to funding consideration. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring: December 1
- Fall, with funding consideration: February 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: Yes
- Deadline February 1, for Fall admittance only. Learn more about funding opportunities.
- Credits and Tuition:
- 48 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- APPLY NOW
Two Tracks: Theological Education or Research
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Application essay (700 – 1,000 words total)
- Which situations, questions, and/or insights have motivated you to seek advanced training in theological education/theology within the Catholic tradition?
- Which two or three texts have been most significant for you, and why?
- What are your goals for pursuing your chosen track?
- Which situations, questions, and/or insights have motivated you to seek advanced training in theological education/theology within the Catholic tradition?
- Resume
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis for all deadlines except those tied to funding consideration. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring:December 1
- Fall, with funding consideration: February 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: Yes
- Deadline February 1, for Fall admittance only. Learn more about funding opportunities.
- Credits and Tuition:
- 48 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- APPLY NOW
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 1 letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Application Essay (300 or fewer words)
- Prompt: Which situations, questions, and/or readings have motivated you to study theology within the Catholic tradition, and what are your goals for pursuing this certificate?
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: No
- Credits and Tuition:
- 15 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- APPLY NOW
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 1 recommendation letter
- Resume
- Application Essay (300 or fewer words)
- Prompt: Which situations, questions, and/or readings have motivated you to study theology within the Catholic tradition, and what are your goals for pursuing the certificate?
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: No
- Credits and Tuition:
- 15 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- APPLY NOW
- Application Requirements:
- Online application form
- Transcripts
- 2 ministerial recommendation letters
- Resume
- Application Essay (300 or fewer words)
- Which situations, questions, and/or readings have motivated you to study theology and/or pastoral ministry within the Catholic tradition, and what are your goals for pursuing this certificate?
- Interview
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Deadlines: Admission is conducted on a rolling basis. Applications may close early under rolling admissions if all available seats are filled prior to the stated deadline.
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: August 1
- Funding available: No
- Credits and Tuition:
- 24 credits
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees subject to change.
- APPLY NOW
Application Process
View a detailed overview of how to apply.
Access Existing Application
Access your existing application.
International Students
View additional information for international students.
Tuition and Fees
The Villanova University Bursar lists current pricing for tuition.
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