Top Schools for Theology
Theology is a broad field that encompasses the study of religions, such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. Theology students could become college professors or enter religious and spirituality-based vocations. Read on to learn about the top schools in the U.S. offering degrees in theology.
Top Theology Schools
1. Loyola University in Chicago, IL
Loyola University was established in 1870 and originally named St. Ignatius College. Loyola University was ranked as a Top National University and Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. The university's Department of Theology offers two Bachelor of Arts degrees in theological studies and religious studies. The department also offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) program with four different concentrations, including Biblical studies, Biblical languages and literature, Christian ethics and theological studies, all of which have distinct curricula. Students can also pursue a Ph.D. in Integrative Studies that has three specializations: ethics and theology, new testament and early Christianity and theological pedagogy.
2. University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university that was started by a priest in 1842. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 19th among national universities in 2012. The school's library system is one of the 100 largest in the United States. Notre Dame's Department of Theology offers several degrees to its students, including a general undergraduate degree in theology and a joint undergraduate degree in theology and philosophy. The theological graduate programs include a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) and a Master of Sacred Music (MSM). You can also pursue an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology.
3. Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA
The Jesuits established Boston College in 1863. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 31st among national universities in 2012. Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry opened in June 2008 and offers many unique degree options, most at the graduate level. Students can earn a post-undergraduate Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) if they already have a B.A. or B.S. in another field. The school also offers an M.Div., an M.T.S., an M.A. in Theology and Ministry, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Religious Education, a Master of Theology (Th.M.) and a summer-only M.A. in Pastoral Ministry (M.A.P.M.) program. The Ph.D. program offers specializations in Christian history, systematic theology, Biblical studies, theological ethics and comparative theology.
List of Ten Good Theology Schools in the U.S.
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Barry University | Has chapters of the Theta Alpha Kappa and Phi Sigma Tau honor societies | Miami, FL |
| Boston College | School of Theology and Ministry follows the Catholic Ignatian tradition | Chestnut Hill, MA |
| Catholic University of America | Has a tuition waiver for Catholic school teachers | Washington, DC |
| Harvard University | Houses the Center for the Study of World Religions | Cambridge, MA |
| Loyola University | Largest Jesuit Catholic university in U.S. | Chicago, IL |
| Pepperdine University | Fosters student-led ministries | Malibu, CA |
| Providence College | Houses the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies | Providence, RI |
| University of Notre Dame | Theology program has a special focus on Latino spirituality | Notre Dame, IN |
| Vanderbilt University | Houses the Turner Center for Church Leadership and Congregational Development | Nashville, TN |
| Yale University | Publishes the theological magazine 'Reflections' | New Haven, CT |
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