Thomistic Institute Scholarship Program

Licentiate or Doctorate in Sacred Theology in Thomistic Studies

The Thomistic Institute is pleased to announce that it will offer at least one full-ride scholarship for a student to pursue their Licentiate or Doctorate in Sacred Theology in Thomistic Studies at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (Dominican House of Studies) in Washington, D.C.

The Dominican House of Studies is a rich and unique environment for graduate studies. At the DHS, students share the classroom and the chapel with Dominican friars; study under an impressive, orthodox, and highly integrated faculty; and follow a rigorous curriculum centered on the synthesis of the Catholic intellectual tradition found in the works of St. Thomas Aquinas.

  • 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.

  • 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.

About the Degree Programs:

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*

1.Submit a statement of intent, a Curriculum Vitae, and a writing sample through the form below.

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 STL/STD in Sacred Theology in Thomistic Studies 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). 

Curriculum Vitae: The CV should include your educational background and any relevant professional/volunteer experience, leadership roles, academic honors received, etc. 

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.

2. Ask your undergraduate institution (and any graduate institutions with which you’ve been affiliated) to send a digital copy of your official transcripts to: rmarisseau@dhs.edu - OR - have a physical copy mailed to:

Thomistic Institute

Attn: Dr. Rebecca Marisseau

487 Michigan Ave NE

Washington, DC 20017

*If you are nominated for the scholarship, you will still be required to submit the full application through the PFIC for the degree program. It is strongly recommended that applicants familiarize themselves with the application and requirements of the PFIC program. Receiving a nomination for a TI scholarship will not guarantee or privilege your application to the PFIC’s STL/STD program. Conversely, your admission to the STL/STD program at the DHS is not a prerequisite for a scholarship application.

  • 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.

  • Applications to matriculate in Fall 2025 will be accepted on a rolling basis until the scholarship is awarded.

  • For questions pertaining to the STL or STD degree, including the PFIC application process, the program course of study, and STB equivalency, please contact the PFIC 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

Frequently Asked Questions