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.

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 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. It prepares graduate students for future research work, participation in professional theological activity, and teaching theology on the college and university level.

Although the Department of Theology is in the College of Arts and Sciences, it views itself as a distinct discipline. In keeping with its history and tradition, it concentrates on theological studies as distinguished from a purely empirical study of religion and from professional training for the ministry. It 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.

These commitments to the study of theology in a Catholic and ecumenical context are reflected in appointments to the Department’s faculty and administrative positions. A tradition of Jesuit leadership and presence plays an essential part in accomplishing this mission and is symbolic of it. The contributions and leadership of other Catholics and representatives of different faith traditions are likewise of crucial importance and in their own way indicative of the Department’s fidelity to its heritage.