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Admission to MA in Theology Program

From Inquiry to Enrollment

Step 1:   Review our program information

Look around our web-site to find out as much as possible about us and our program. It is important to us that you consider us a good fit for your academic journey. Of course, we heartily invite you to contact us, in particular our program director, for more information, or visit us in person if you live nearby or plan on stopping by in Philadelphia.

Step 2:   Review your academic qualification

Non-Discrimination Policy

We admit students wholly on the basis of individual merit. The University does not discriminate against any student or applicant seeking admission on the basis of his or her race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or sex.

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. In addition, we ordinarily require

  1. eighteen undergraduate credits in Theology, Religion, or the equivalent;
  2. a 3.0 (or higher) undergraduate grade point average (GPA);
  3. the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

We will also consider your application if you majored in other fields or have a lower undergraduate GPA. If you are in your last year of undergraduate studies and have not completed your bachelor’s degree at the time of application, please provide a transcript of all courses completed with the understanding that the remaining courses and grades will also be submitted as soon as the degree is completed. A final transcript must be submitted to the Graduate Dean's Office listing the degree received and the date the degree was conferred.

International Applicants: International applicants must provide additional information. Please read the instructions provided by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Step 3:   Contact the Graduate Program Director

In our department, the Graduate Program Director guides all applicants through the program admission process. We recommend that you contact the director by email or telephone to discuss your unique situation, qualifications, and goals.

Step 4:   Fill out the application form

You may apply for admission to our program online (preferred method) or request a paper application. This link leads you to either application.

Note: At the time of program application you may request the transfer of graduate credits from another institution.

Step 5:   Mail your application material

For priority consideration, candidates applying for an assistantship or a scholarship must submit their complete applications by March 1 for the following fall semester. Note: Generally, we do not award assistantships or scholarships in the spring.

Regular Application Deadlines

Semester Deadline
Fall August 1
Spring December 1
Summer May 1

To the Graduate Program Director, please submit (for the address, click here)

  1. a 500-700 word statement of your objectives in seeking the degree (please mail separately or complete on the online application form);
  2. an academic writing sample (if available); and
  3. three letters of recommendation forwarded directly to the Program Director from persons able to judge your academic potential.

To the Office of Graduate Studies, please mail (you will find the address here)

  1. official copies of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores;
  2. completed application;
  3. non-refundable application fee of $50 payable to Villanova University (fee is waived for students with a Villanova degree); and
  4. official transcripts of all previous college work (undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate) sent directly to the Graduate Studies Office, by the Registrar of the Colleges or Universities involved.

Step 6:   What happens next?

Upon receiving all your application material, our Graduate Program Committee submits a recommendation concerning acceptance and matriculation status to the Office of Graduate Studies. The office will inform you in writing about the outcome of the application.

A note about matriculation status: If you fulfill all admission requirements, the Graduate Program Committee will recommend that you be admitted to our program as a matriculated student. However, we also consider your application if, for example, you majored in fields not related to theology or religion or if your GPA is lower. In this case, the committee may recommend that you be admitted to the program as a non-matriculated student and retain non-matriculated status until you complete several graduate courses (usually four) with a "B" grade average. At that time, the committee will re-evaluate your matriculation status. The most noticeable difference between matriculated and non-matriculated status is that only matriculated students are eligible for a VU assistantship or scholarship.

Step 7:   Enroll in your classes

As soon as the Office of Graduate Studies admits you to our program you are free to enroll in our courses.