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Pontifical Faculty of Theology

The international academic degrees of the Catholic Church are the baccalaureate, the licentiate, and the doctorate in theology. These are abbreviated as S.T.B. (Sacred Theology Baccalaureate), S.T.L. (Sacred Theology Licentiate) and S.T.D. (Sacred Theology Doctorate).

On September 30, 1929, the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities (now known as the Congregation for Catholic Education) established a Pontifical Faculty of Theology at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois. The Faculty was authorized to grant Pontifical degrees initially for five years, and on September 21, 1934, this authorization was made permanent.

The Statutes of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology set forth the faculty’s governance and policies. They were revised in light of the apostolic constitution, Gaudium veritatis, and approved ad decennium by the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2022.

These pages outline the S.T.B., S.T.L., and S.T.D. programs offered by the Pontifical Faculty at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. We are most excited to include an online option for the STL, described on its page.

The S.T.B. program is reserved for USML seminarians.

Pontifical Faculty of Theology

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Doctorate in Sacred Theology

Forms

Pontifical Bulletin

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For more information

Fr. Marek Duran, S.T.D, President
Phone: (847) 970-4888
Email: mduran@usml.edu

For any admission questions

Sr. Caroline Onuoha, DMMM
Director of Registration and Records
Phone: (847) 970-4803
Email: conuoha@usml.edu

Pontifical STL Summer Intensive 2026 Courses

Instructor Room Day Time Course No. Course Title Credit Hours
STL Dogmatic Specialization
Fr. Lupton Jesuit Rec Hall - Room 1000 M,T,TH,F 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. DT879 Patri: Augustine: The Architect of the Western Tradition 3
Dr. Barrett Jesuit Rec Hall - Room 1000 M,T,TH,F 10:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. DT859 Medieval: Bonaventure and Aquina 3
STL Writing
Fr. Marek N/A N/A N/A DT820 Thesis Writing I 2
Fr. Marek N/A N/A N/A DT821 Thesis Writing II 2
Fr. Marek N/A N/A N/A DT822 Ongoing Thesis Writing 2
STD Writing
Fr. Marek N/A N/A N/A DT952 Dissertation Writing 3
Fr. Marek N/A N/A N/A DT953 Ongoing Dissertation Writing 1
Fr. Marek Thesis and Dissertation Preparation (For those who are working on their STL Thesis and STD Dissertation respectively)
2025-2026 Significant Dates
Graduate Degree – Petition to Graduate

Pricing Overview

Pontifical Tuition and Fees 2026-2027

Tuition and Fees Amount
Application Fee $75
Tuition
Tuition* (per credit) (Resident and non-resident) (*35 credits (STL) (Minimum of *10 credits for STD) $1,295
Auditing a course (per credit hour) $777
Fees
Room/Board (per week) $850
Full-Time Housing (per semester) $3,959
Meal Plan (per semester) $4,079
Room/Board (Summer Term, 6 weeks) $5,100
Technology Fee: Fall and Spring ($175 per semester) $350
Technology Fee: Summer $175
Matriculation fee (one-time fee) $50
Convocation fee (one-time fee) $100
Late Registration $15
Transcript Request $15
Ongoing Thesis/Dissertation Writing (per semester) $1,295
S.T.D. Dissertation Defense Fee $3,885
Tuition for 35 credits (STL) $45,325
Tuition for Minimum of 10 credits (STD) $12,950

Health care insurance, books, and personal items are not included in the above charges. A Seminarian Health Care Insurance Program is available to all full-time students. Students not covered by family health care policies are advised to take advantage of this program. Students are also expected to assume responsibility for auto, fire, theft, and personal possession insurance.

Some housing is available for single students who are enrolled in the Pontifical Faculty, in the Conference Center of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. A chapel and a lounge with kitchen facilities are available for their use. While they are not members of Mundelein Seminary, they are welcomed guests at many events at the Seminary and the Center, and are invited to share in the daily celebration of the Eucharist with the Seminary community.

The staff of the Conference Center’s Office of Guest Services attends to the material needs and general welfare of the students who reside in the Center. They serve as contact persons between resident students and the University.