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About the School
Integrated Theological Study
The School of Theology at the University of St. Thomas is dedicated to instilling a deep understanding of Catholic doctrine and theology through investigation and research of Scripture. UST is the only school in the Cardinal Newman Guide that offers a Master’s in Historical Theology. An integral part of a liberal arts education, the study of theology helps the University community in its “constant effort to determine the relative place and meaning of each of the various disciplines within the context of the human person and the world that is enlightened by the Gospel,” and thus in preserving “the sense of the transcendence of the human person over the world and of God over the human person.” (John Paul II, Ex corde Ecclesiae, 16, 19).
In partnership with St. Mary’s Seminary, graduate programs at St. Mary’s also serve both lay students and seminarians. Professors often teach at both University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary.
Academic Programs
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Experts in Scripture and Tradition
Theology Leadership
Rev. Richard R. Hinkley
Rev. Richard Raymond Hinkley serves as the Dean of the School of Theology. He was raised in a mixed American-Cuban family and attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and School. Following his education at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, TX, the University of Notre Dame, IN, and a year at the University of Houston Law Center, TX, he entered seminary formation for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 2008. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in June 2014, having completed his seminary formation at both Holy Trinity in Irving, Texas, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, completing an S.T.L. from the Pontifical Atheneum of Sant’Anselmo
Student Experience
Learning Real Theology
Divine Revelation, the intellectual pursuit of truth, prayer, and wisdom all converge in the science of theology. Students learn “real theology,” which means a deep immersion in the tradition—Patristic, medieval, and modern—that is both intellectually intense and always faithful to the magisterium. The Catholic educator is tasked with passing on the theological, spiritual, and doctrinal riches of the faith, which have been held and explored for two millennia. UST theologians take this task seriously and invite students to join them in this great tradition.
Crescamus in Christo
Considering Theology
at UST?
What types of things will I learn in theology?
Students learn theological skills such as biblical exegesis; engage with important figures from the Church Fathers to the medieval masters and the modern giants; and learn how to think about the Trinity, Christology, the Sacraments, moral theology, Catholic education, and more. The goal is a both a broad and deep understanding of historical theology.
What can you do with a theology degree?
A theology degree prepares graduates for a wide range of paths, including ministry, education, nonprofit leadership, graduate study, and professional fields that value ethical reasoning and critical thinking. Alumni of the School of Theology often share how employers are delighted that they know how to use their reason and problem solving in situations that do not have a clear path.
Is the Theology program rooted in the Catholic tradition?
Yes. The Theology program at the University of St. Thomas is grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition while encouraging a historical knowledge of Scripture and Tradition. Students break open Scripture, Catholic doctrine, ethics, and history within a faithful and scholarly framework.
Do I need to be Catholic to study Theology at UST?
No. Students from a variety of faith backgrounds and academic interests are welcomed into the Theology program. The curriculum invites respectful dialogue and thoughtful study while remaining rooted in Catholic teaching.
What is the difference between studying Theology and Religious Studies?
More than just the study of religions, Theology approaches the study of faith from within a lived religious tradition, emphasizing belief, doctrine, and formation alongside academic scholarship. At UST, theological studies integrate the Catholic intellectual tradition with investigation and research.
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Go Deep into the Tradition
The School of Theology at University of St. Thomas offers a broad and deep foundation in historical theology within the Catholic Tradition, embracing both the continuity of the tradition and the philosophy of “genuinely metaphysical range” (Fides et Ratio 83) needed to understand it. Study with others seeking a deeper grasp of Catholic theology, guided by professors with expertise in all historical periods—ancient, medieval, and modern—equips a future theologian for being leaven for the Church and the world.