The Department of Theology is a community of scholars responsible for teaching, conducting research, and serving the theological needs of the wider community outside of Marquette. It aims, in particular, to help educate undergraduates by bringing them to an understanding of their respective faith commitments and traditions in harmony with their overall intellectual, critical, and cultural development.
Undergraduate programs
The undergraduate program also incorporates into Catholic Theology an ecumenical dimension which was made normative by the Second Vatican Council, and which is regarded by the department as an essential service to the church and the world. It also seeks to explore with students the relationship between faith and justice, in accordance with the recent General Congregations of the Society of Jesus.
Graduate Programs
For more than forty years, the Department of Theology has offered M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, and now the new Master of Arts in Christian Doctrine (M.A.C.D.) has been added.
Marquette has traditionally offered an integrated graduate education in theology, providing every student background and methodological training in biblical, historical, and systematics/ethics as well as an in-depth specialization in one of the three.
The M.A. and Ph.D. programs seek to develop scholars who can make significant contributions to theological research and writing, and college teachers who can teach a broad range of courses to undergraduate students. Because of its classically structured education, Marquette has enjoyed great success in placing doctoral graduates in teaching positions in over 200 colleges and universities, in church work and ministry, and in a variety of other educationally related occupations.
The M.A.C.D. program focuses on an ecumenical appropriation and communication of Christian doctrine for theology teachers in Catholic high schools, for teachers in other religious education or formation programs, and for persons interested either simply in theological enrichment or in serving various other needs in their religious communities.
Theology Department Mission Statement
Marquette University defines itself as Christian, Catholic, Jesuit, urban, and independent. The Department of Theology functions within the university to investigate and understand the Catholic tradition, its relation to other Christian communions, and to other religions of the world. Read more of our mission statement.
