Thomistic Institute
Graduate Scholarship Programs
Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, the TI is pleased to offer full-ride scholarships for students to pursue graduate degrees in Theology at the Dominican House of Studies.
The Thomistic Institute is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. The primary purpose of the Dominican House of Studies is to provide a theological education for those intending to serve as ministers in the Dominican Order. Recognizing the wide appeal of a theological education in the Dominican tradition, the Dominican House of Studies also accepts other qualified students for its various degree programs. Under the tutelage of the Dominican friars, students follow a rigorous curriculum centered on the synthesis of the Catholic intellectual tradition found in the works of St. Thomas Aquinas.
About the Degree Programs:
These are the degree programs that you can pursue with a TI scholarship.
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A two-year program of theology in the Thomistic tradition. It was introduced in 1993 to better serve laypersons by facilitating further theological studies or the faithful service of the pastoral needs of the Church.
For more information, click here.
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The STL is the universally-required degree for advancement to doctoral studies in an ecclesiastical faculty and is a canonical degree required for professors who will teach in ecclesiastical faculties, such as any major seminary. The program requires that students have previously obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB).
The program includes the composition of a License thesis that prepares directly for the composition of an ecclesiastical doctorate. The program consists principally of graduate seminars. It seeks to initiate students to the study of Thomistic thought on several fronts, each of which can become the basis for thesis research:
Major Themes in Classical Thomistic Philosophy, Dogmatic and Moral Theology
The Modern Thomistic Tradition within the context of Post-Enlightenment Theology
The Study of Aquinas in Historical Context
Historical Methods for the Study of Medieval Theology
For more information, click here.
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The Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) is a specialized degree program in Thomistic studies. It offers a terminal degree (the ecclesiastical doctorate) that is granted by the authority and in the name of the Holy See. Candidates may specialize either in the domain of Thomistic systematic theology or Thomistic moral theology.
Applicants must have previously obtained an STL to be considered for the STD. Applicants who do not have the STL may apply for the STL program and, after completion of that degree, may be admitted into the STD program.
For more information, click here.
What does the scholarship include?
Full tuition
A living stipend of $20,000 per academic year
Additional funds to cover academic fees & books
Scholarship awardees work up to eight (8) hours weekly with the Thomistic Institute staff on TI projects or with the DHS faculty on research projects.
Application
To be considered for a TI Scholarship, you must submit two separate applications. The first application is the standard application for the degree program at the Dominican House of Studies. The second application is for the TI Scholarship (below). Both applications must be submitted by the January 28 deadline.*
To apply for the TI scholarship, submit:
A statement of intent: This document should describe 1) your involvement with the Thomistic Institute to date and/or how your nomination to the program would further the mission of the Thomistic Institute; 2) your reasons for pursuing the a degree at the Dominican House of Studies; and 3) your qualifications for graduate study. Your statement should not exceed two pages (double-spaced, 12 point font).
A Curriculum Vitae: The CV should include your educational background and any relevant professional/volunteer experience, leadership roles, academic honors received, etc.
If intending to pursue the STL or STD, please also include:
A Writing Sample: Submit an academic chapter, article, or essay that showcases your best work in Theology. Submissions should be double spaced and no less than 10 pages.
*Policy regarding GRE scores: Some applications to the DHS require GRE scores. To be eligible for the TI scholarship for degree programs that require the GRE, it is permissible for the GRE scores to arrive after the January 28 deadline, but the test itself must be taken before the January 28 deadline.
Receiving a nomination for a TI scholarship will not guarantee or privilege your application to the DHS’s degree program. Conversely, your admission to a degree program is not a prerequisite for a scholarship application.
Applications will open on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Anyone who is eligible for the degree program is eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The STL program requires that applicants have previously obtained the Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (STB) or equivalent degree. Holders of a Masters of Divinity or of another, similar first professional degree in theology will have their previous academic record evaluated to determine if further work is required to establish equivalence to the STB degree. To learn if your degree is equivalent to the STB, contact the PFIC Registrar, Mrs. Elizabeth Kimes, at registrar@dhs.edu.
The STD program requires that applicants have previously obtained the STL. If an applicant is interested in pursuing an STD but does not hold an STL, they can first apply to obtain the STL and, after completion of the STL, may be admitted to the STD program.
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Applications to matriculate in Fall 2026 are due January 28th, 2026.
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For questions pertaining to the degree programs, including the DHS application process, the program course of study, and STB equivalency, please contact the DHS Registrar, Mrs. Elizabeth Kimes: registrar@dhs.edu
Questions about the Thomistic Institute scholarship program and application may be directed to Dr. Rebecca Marisseau: rmarisseau@dhs.edu
