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Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)
(online or in person)

The Licentiate of Sacred Theology is a research degree. In the civil system, the S.T.L. would be similar to the coursework and exams of a Ph.D. program. It is structured around a cycle of four courses that provide in-depth study of the Christian theological tradition from the New Testament to the present. Special attention is given to the Doctrine of God, Christology, Theological Anthropology, Sacramental Theology, and Spiritual Theology. Students can specialize in Dogmatic Theology or Sacramental Theology.

This program builds on the foundational understanding of these areas from the S.T.B.-level studies, seeks to deepen the student’s grasp of how the Christian community’s understanding of these issues has developed, and prepares the student for doctoral studies in theology. 

A graduate of the S.T.L. program is equipped to teach theology in a college, seminary, or university, to function as a chaplain to various professional groups, and to act as a theological resource for diocesan agencies.

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

  • S.T.B. Degree
  • or S.T.B. equivalence (Comparable M.Div., or an M.A. with coursework equivalent to the S.T.B. Core Curriculum and with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2), and 24 Credit hours of philosophy.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

Application Deadlines

Deadline for completion of online application and submission of all admissions material is:
March 16 – Fall Semester
October 18 – Spring Semester

Pontifical Faculty of Theology

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Doctorate in Sacred Theology

Forms

Pontifical Bulletin
APPLY TODAY
For more information

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

For any admission questions

Sr. Caroline Onuoha, DMMM
Director of Registration and Records
Phone: (847) 970-4803
Fax: (847) 932-3305
Email: conuoha@usml.edu

STB Core Curriculum consists of:

Psalms and Wisdom
Pentateuch and Histories
Pauline Literature
Synoptic Gospels and Acts
Prophets
Johannine Literature

Fundamental Theology
Doctrine of God, One and Three
Christology and Soteriology
Anthropology, Creation, Grace and Eschatology
Ecclesiology and Mariology
Sacraments of Initiation
Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
Doctrine of Priesthood

American Church History
Formation of Catholic Tradition
Medieval Church History
Reformation and Revolution
Modern Church History

Fundamental Moral Theology
Medical Ethics and Suffering
Sexuality and Vocation
Social Justice

Spiritual Theology

Canon Law I
Canon Law II

Principles of Sacred Liturgy and Music

Language Requirements

There are three ways to fulfill the classical language requirement. (1) Present a transcript with 6 university level credits of Latin/Greek with at least an A- average. The courses must have been taken within the last ten years. (2) Complete 6 credits of Latin/Greek at Mundelein Seminary with at least an A- average. (3) Pass a Mundelein Seminary Latin/Greek translation exam.

There are two ways to fulfill the modern research language require- ment. (1) Present a transcript with 6 university level credits of a Modern Research Language with at least an A- average. The courses must have been taken within the last ten years. (2) Pass a Mundelein Semi- nary Modern Language translation exam.

Program Requirements

When are courses offered?
Classes are offered during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, each summer, classes are offered during a 6-week intensive (the first week of June through the second week of July). If the student is working part-time towards their degree and holds a pastoral role, they are eligible to take up to six online courses. The online courses are available both during the academic year and in the summer. The remaining three (3) courses need to be completed in person. All classes are offered in person and online.  If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Caroline Onuoha, DMMM, conuoha@usml.edu.

All first-year STL students are required to attend an in-person class during the first week of either the Fall semester or the Spring semester to meet their professors, fellow students, and to tour the library.  If this is impossible given financial constraints and pastoral duties, please consult with the President of the Pontifical Faculty. Second-year STL students are encouraged to attend the first week of the semester in Mundelein to meet their professor and classmates.   For housing accommodations, please contact Mary Betram, mbertram@usml.edu.

Required Courses

This course will make a close examination of the emergence and development of the Catholic Tradition in both the East and West from the New Testament to 786 AD. It will emphasize a critical reading of texts from significant authors that highlight the major themes of Christology, Trinitarian Theology and Theo- logical Anthropology. The texts will be set in the context of the general history of the Christian Church during these centuries. There will be a particular em- phasis on the disputes over Trinitarian Theology and Christology.

This course surveys the development of Catholic doctrine in from the 8th century to the 15th century, focusing on how Augustinian, Dionysian and Thomist theological paradigms functioned as the basis for the variety of theological schools and methods which formed the theological landscape of medieval Christendom. Theological developments in the doctrine of God, Christology, and Christian anthropology will be discussed, with special emphasis on pro- gress in understanding in the doctrines of the human person and the dynamics of salvation.

This course explores some of the major themes in the history of Christian the- ology from 1500 until 1900. It engages Martin Luther and John Calvin and discusses the Catholic response, especially as expressed in the Council of Trent. It presents the Age of Enlightenment as also the logical outgrowth of these religious contestations. Taking Immanuel Kant and G.W.F. Hegel as the points d’appui, it discusses next the contributions of Friedrich Schleiermacher, Johann Adam Mohler, Soren Kierkegaard, Vatican I, John Henry Newman and Matthias Scheeben.

This course will cover the issues and theologians from the period of the Mod- ernist Crisis in 1860 through the twentieth century and the recent debates over the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. The integrating theme will be theolo- gy’s engagement with the intellectual currents of the Modern world. The course will examine the emergence of so-called “liberal theology” and trace the various reactions across the years.

Elective Courses

Dogmatic Theology Specialization

  • Patristic (3 crs.)
  • Medieval (3 crs.)
  • Reformation (3 crs.)
  • Modern (3 cars.)
  • Free (3 crs.)

Sacramental Theology Specialization

15 credits of electives taken from the MAL degree courses as the student desires. Click here

The licentiate thesis is written in the area of specialization and may be compared to a substantial scholarly essay, its length is typically sixty to eighty pages. The thesis demonstrates the student’s ability to do theological research, to present this research in a coherent way, and concludes with a personal assessment of the findings.

Schedule for S.T.L. Thesis Research and Writing

During the second semester of the S.T.L. program, the student will enroll in DT 819 Thesis Proposal, during which he or she will choose a director. The student will work with the thesis di- rector to develop a proposal. At this time, the director will select a second reader. Once the director has approved the proposal, he/ she will forward it to a second reader for his/her approval, which must be done at least one month before the end of the semester. With the proposal accepted by the second reader, the director will notify the President who will then inform the student that his/her proposal has been accepted. If the final proposal has not been accepted by the end of the second semester of the S.T.L. pro- gram, the student may not continue in the program without the consent of the President of the Pontifical Faculty.

The content of the Thesis Proposal is as follows:

  • Working title
  • Working thesis statement
  • The theological context of the thesis (status quaestionis)
  • A description of a the student’s proposed methodology
  • Working list of up to 10 primary sources
  • Working list of up to 20 secondary and tertiary sources
  • Outline of the argument

In the third and fourth semesters of the program, the student will enroll in Thesis Writing. In order to graduate by the end of the fourth semester, the thesis must be approved by the director and submitted to the President of the Pontifical Faculty two months before the end of the semester. Both the director and the second reader will submit a grade for the thesis to the President. Final approval of the thesis requires an average score of at least 86%.

Students are examined in the three areas of concentration of the S.T.L. program: (1) the Doctrine of God; (2) Christology; (3) one of the following areas: Theological Anthropology, Sacramental/ Liturgical Theology, or Spiritual Theology. Students are responsible for the theological methodologies used in all areas.

For this exam, each student will select six theologians, one from each of the following periods:

  • Patristic (33 – 800)
  • Monastic and Scholastic (800 – 1500)
  • Reformation (1500 -1700)
  • Early Modern (1700-1900)
  • Twentieth Century to Vatican II (1900 – 1965)
  • Contemporary Period (1965 – present)

Pricing Overview

Tuition and Fees Amount
Application Fee $75
Tuition
Tuition* (per credit) (Resident and non-resident) (*34 credits (STL) (Minimum of *10 credits for STD) $1,244
Auditing a course (per credit hour) $746
Fees
Room/Board (per week) $794
Full-Time Housing (per semester) $3,770
Meal Plan (per semester) $3,767
Room/Board (Summer Term, 6 weeks) $4,764
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) $1,244
S.T.D. Dissertation Defense Fee $3,732
Tuition for 34 credits (STL) $42,296
Tuition for Minimum of 10 credits (STD) $12,440

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.