Faith Seeking Understanding

At the University of Dallas, theology is the study of the Mystery of God and of His marvelous works, especially Jesus Christ. The journey takes root in close readings of the Sacred Scriptures and involves discipleship of paths trod by great doctors of the Catholic Tradition, such as Thomas Aquinas, Augustine of Hippo, Gregory Nazianzus, John Henry Newman, et al. We also study the works of recent masters, such as Pope John Paul II, Henri de Lubac, Garrigou-Lagrange, Pope Benedict XVI, et al.

Our desire to contemplate divine truth leads us also to grapple with difficult questions and to engage the best critics of the Catholic faith. Thus, we aim to achieve mature appreciation of Catholic truth as the deepest and most resilient answer to man’s hunger to know who he is and why he exists. We foster habits of careful reading, mastery of essential principles, perusal of ideas, reasoned argument, and written and oral expression. Such habits serve our alumni above all in the pursuit of sacred wisdom but also in professional and practical life.

Why Study Theology at UDallas?

Catholic orthodoxy

Rest assured that the deposit of faith, contained in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and clarified by the Magisterium, is the foundation of all our inquiries and the measure of all our claims.

Intellectually Rigorous

Relish the challenge of puzzling questions and high-level objections to our faith. Deepen your confidence that Jesus Christ founded his Church to remain for all time. Draw on robust philosophical (and other) thinkers in pursuit of intellectual excellence.

Four ‘Habitus’ of Theology

Explore the beauty of Sacred Scriptures, and trace the winding paths of history. Strive for universal expressions in systematic theology, and study beatific happiness and human life as ordered thereto in moral theology.

Faith, Reason, & Dialogue

Enjoy the dialogues implicit in the Catholic “and”. Faith and reason. Revelation and science. Ancient thought and new insight. Catholic orthodoxy and ecumenical explorations.

Great Texts and Masters

Focus on the classic texts themselves, whether ancient or recent, and the great masters of our tradition. Use research and secondary literature in aid of the former task.

Professional Preparation

Learn to understand others’ ideas and to sift them in a fair and balanced light. Research, reason, write, and present. These skills prepare any graduate for a wide range of professional occupations.

Explore Our Theology Courses

Explore the four interconnected fields of theology: Scripture, History of Christian Doctrine, Systematic Theology, and Moral Theology. Discover how each comes alive within the living Catholic faith.

 

Theology ConcentrationsTheology BATheology MATheology MThTheology 4+1

 

Theology Faculty

Irene Alexander, PhD
Richard Bulzacchelli, STD, STL
Adam Eitel, PhD
Fr. Thomas Esposito, OCist
Andrew Glicksman, PhD
Mark Goodwin, PhD
Christopher Malloy, PhD
Sr. Mary Angelica Neenan, OP, STD
John Norris, PhD
Diana Dudoit Raiche, PhD
Ron Rombs, PhD
Fr. Joseph Van House, OCist
Irene Alexander, PhD, Associate Professor, Theology

“Theology and Literature • Spiritual Theology • Faith and Culture”

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Richard Bulzacchelli, STD, STL, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Theology

“Fundamental Theology • Social Doctrine • Theology and Culture”

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Adam Eitel, PhD, Associate Professor, Theology

“Systematic Theology • Ecclesiology • Modern Theology”

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Fr. Thomas Esposito, OCist, Associate Professor of Theology, Graduate Director of Master of Divinity Program

“Monastic Theology • Patristics • Spiritual Theology”

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Andrew Glicksman, PhD, Associate Professor, Theology

“Biblical Theology • New Testament, Theology and Culture”

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Mark Goodwin, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Theology

“Historical Theology • Reformation Theology • Christian Doctrine”

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Christopher Malloy, PhD, Professor of Theology, Department Chair, Graduate Theology Director

“Theological Anthropology • Trinity • Ecclesiology”

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Sr. Mary Angelica Neenan, OP, STD, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Theology

“Thomistic Theology • Dominican Spirituality • Moral Theology”

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John Norris, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology, Associate Provost, Senior Academic Officer

“Moral Theology • Fundamental Theology • Theological Anthropology”

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Diana Dudoit Raiche, PhD, Associate Professor Emerita, Theology

“Christian Anthropology • Spiritual Theology • Women and Theology”

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Ron Rombs, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology, Dean & Director of UD Rome Program

“Patristics • Augustine • Early Christianity”

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Fr. Joseph Van House, OCist, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Theology

“Cistercian Theology • Medieval Exegesis • John Henry Newman • the Eucharist”

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Graduate Outcomes

Professional destinations of theology major graduates have included:

  • Professor of Theology, Catholic University of America
  • President, St. Martin’s University, Lacey, Washington
  • Coordinator of Youth Formation, St. Patrick Catholic Church
  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Walter Reed Nat’l Military Medical Center
  • Teacher, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, Trivium & Great Hearts Academies
  • Psychologist, Values First Therapy, Houston
  • MissionCorps Member, Maggie’s Place
  • Religion Teacher & Baseball Coach, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School
  • Teacher, John Paul II High School, Serra Catholic School, Mt. Carmel Academy
  • Attorney, Gibson Dunn, Houston
  • Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiologist, Emory University
  • Software Engineer, Word on Fire

Examples of institutions where recent theology major graduates have pursued graduate-level degrees include:

  • University of Notre Dame
  • The Angelicum
  • Catholic University of America
  • Boston College
  • Ave Maria University