Your Mission Begins
Every vocation begins with a call. For many, that call is an invitation to go deeper—to understand the mysteries of God, to teach with clarity, and to serve the Church with the full strength of one’s mind and faith.
If you feel that call stirring within you, the PhD in Theology at Holy Apostles is the path that helps you answer it.
We accompany you as you step into your role as a scholar, teacher, and leader for the Church.
July 17, 2026
Application Deadline
August 22, 2026
Classes Begin
Ready to Apply?
July 17, 2026
Application Deadline
August 22, 2026
Classes Begin
Ready to Apply?
A Program Shaped for Mission
The PhD in Theology is more than a terminal degree.
It is a path toward becoming a teacher of teachers—one who draws from Scripture, the Fathers, the Doctors, and the entire breadth of Tradition to illuminate truth for a searching world.
Along this journey, you will:
- Engage deeply with Sacred Scripture and Tradition
- Participate in live, scholarly seminars with expert faculty
- Grow in mastery of theological sources, ancient and modern
- Learn the craft of academic research and teaching
- Produce a dissertation that contributes new insight to the Church
This is a formation designed for those who desire not simply to know theology, but to hand it on.
Choose Your Path
Students choose from four concentrations that reflect
Holy Apostles’ academic strengths and the Church’s most enduring theological disciplines:
Sacred Scripture
Focus on biblical theology, exegesis, and the interpretive tradition of the Fathers.
Thomistic Studies
Moral & Spiritual Theology
Dogmatic & Historical Theology
Sacred Scripture
Focus on biblical theology, exegesis, and the interpretive tradition of the Fathers.
Thomistic Studies
Moral & Spiritual Theology
Dogmatic & Historical Theology
Who Is This Program For?
The PhD program serves:
- Graduates with an MA in Theology or related fields
- Clergy, religious, and lay scholars
- College and university professors
- High school theology teachers
- Formators in religious communities
- Independent scholars and writers
And especially for those who feel called to pursue doctoral training, but who cannot relocate to a residential program.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the PhD in Theology will be able to:
- Uphold Catholic teaching on Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium
- Read and interpret primary theological sources across centuries
- Apply Catholic principles of biblical interpretation
- Conduct and publish advanced theological research
- Integrate philosophy, natural sciences, and theology into unified scholarship
- Teach at the university, seminary, or high school level with expertise and fidelity
Doctoral Degree
Ph.D. in Theology
- Online
5 to 10 years
Program Length
$606
Per Credit Hour
July 17
Application Due
August 22
Start Date
More Information
Coursework
900-Level Coursework:
Your training begins with advanced, research-intensive courses crafted around your concentration. You’ll read more deeply, write more extensively, and engage primary sources in their original languages.
Exclusive Doctoral Seminars:
In small, live cohorts, you step into the theological “arena,” discussing major texts, defending your insights, and forming scholarly relationships that guide your entire journey.
Language Mastery:
Like every great theologian before you, you gain the tools needed to enter the sources firsthand—Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and modern languages as required by your field.
Comprehensive Exams:
Your reading list becomes your map—one you build with your director.
You test your strength and readiness through written and oral examinations that usher you into candidacy.
The Dissertation:
This is your moment of contribution—your gift to the Church.
A 70,000–90,000 word work of original scholarship that places your voice into the ongoing conversation of the Catholic tradition.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must hold:
- MA in Theology or a closely related discipline
- or M.Div.
- or STL
Applicants submit:
- Curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts
- 1200–1400 word statement of intent
- Three letters of recommendation
- Academic writing sample (10–25 pages)
- TOEFL score (international applicants)
- Signed Profession of Faith
Cohort Size: Approximately 10–12 students per year
Accreditation
The PhD in Theology is accredited by:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
In June 2026, the Board of Commissioners approved a five-year experiment to offer the school’s PhD in Theology degree program fully online.
Career Paths
Graduates will be prepared for roles such as:
University or seminary professor
Theological researcher or author
Academic or spiritual formator
Catholic high school instructor
Speaker, consultant, or ecclesial leader
Your Guide Along the Way
Holy Apostles College & Seminary is here to accompany you—faithfully, affordably, and flexibly. Our mission is to cultivate Catholic leaders for evangelization, and your academic calling is part of that mission.
We provide the structure, the mentors, the community, and the support you need to move from where you are now to where God is calling you to be.
Explore the Possibilities
Looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid? We're here to help.
Speak to your personal Admissions Counselor today for more information.
Admissions Phone:
860-632-3000
Admissions Email:
[email protected]