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  • Current Students
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CTU General Application for Admission

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  • Contact Information

  • Personal Information

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  • Professional & Educational Background

  • Applicants are required to submit transcripts for admittance. Transcript/s which confer a bachelor’s-level degree are required as are transcripts from all schools (e.g., seminaries, colleges and/or universities) where academic credit was earned. Official transcripts can be emailed to admissions@ctu.edu or mailed to: Enrollment Management, Catholic Theological Union, 5416 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615.
  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
      Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to your application. Official transcripts must be received prior to enrolling at CTU.
    • Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • (seminaries, colleges, and universities) attended (include city, state, country) degrees completed, and year of conferral, if applicable (e.g., Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL, USA, MA Pastoral Studies 2000)
    • References

    • Reference requirements for each program can be found under our Admissions Guidelines
    • MA in Theology applicants must have at least one (1) academic reference
    • An email will be sent to your references requesting a letter of recommendation upon submission of your application. Please contact admissions@ctu.edu with any questions or concerns.
    • Reference 1
    • Reference 1
    • Reference 1
    • Reference 2
    • Reference 2
    • Reference 2
    • Reference 3
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    • Personal Statement

    • ● Personal statement should be approximately 3 pages in length, double spaced, and address the following:

      ■ How your background and experiences have led you to pursue a graduate degree in theology and ministry ● Within the context of CTU’s mission and vision to prepare effective leaders for the church, witness to Christ’s good news of justice, love and peace and be a transformative force in the Church and world for affirming human dignity and the sacredness of God’s creation alongside its intercultural, ecumenical, and interfaith partners: ○ How do you understand your identity as a developing theologian/pastoral minister? ○ In what ways do you hope to grow and reimagine your ministerial identity during your time at CTU? ● How do you intend to use your studies at CTU to contribute to dialogue in and address the challenges of the Church and the world?
    • ● Personal statement should be approximately 3 pages in length, double spaced, and address the following:

      ■ How your background and experiences have led you to pursue a graduate degree in theology and ministry
      ● Within the context of CTU’s mission and vision to prepare effective leaders for the church, witness to Christ’s good news of justice, love and peace and be a transformative force in the Church and world for affirming human dignity and the sacredness of God’s creation alongside its intercultural, ecumenical, and interfaith partners:
      ○ How do you understand your identity as a developing theologian/pastoral minister?
      ○ In what ways do you hope to grow and reimagine your ministerial identity during your time at CTU?
      ● How do you intend to use your studies at CTU to contribute to dialogue in and address the challenges of the Church and the world?
    • If not currently available please send later to apply@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • Scholarship Application

    • Catholic Theological Union is committed to providing generous scholarship funds. Please visit our Scholarships webpage for more information on our scholarship funds and for more information on Federal Financial Aid. Please note members of our corporate and participating religious communities are not eligible for scholarship funds.
    • ■ The Bernardin Scholarship provides a full-tuition scholarship to lay men and women inspired by the vision of Cardinal Bernardin in the areas of reconciliation and peacemaking, interreligious dialogue, leadership development for the Catholic church, the consistent ethic of life, or the search for common ground in the church and the world.
    • Please provide a reference from someone who can directly speak to your interest and potential to grow in the areas of reconciliation/peacemaking, interreligious dialogue, and/or consistent ethic of life (this may also serve as a reference for your degree application).
    • Describe your understanding of and motivation to further explore any/all of the following key areas of Cardinal Bernardin’s vision:

      Reconciliation and peacemaking
      Interreligious Dialogue
      Consistent Ethic of Life
      Leadership Commitment for the Church

      Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • The Oscar Romero Scholars Program prepares Hispanic and Latinx lay men and women for professional ministry
      Requirements
      Be a Hispanic/Latin@ Catholic
      Previous experience or intent to work in Hispanic/Latin@ ministry settings
    • The Archdiocese of Chicago co-sponsors a full tuition scholarship for Romero participants who:
      ○ Live and minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago
      ○ Commit to serve in the Archdiocese of Chicago for three years after graduation
    • Applicants from the Diocese of Joliet are eligible for a ⅔ tuition scholarship
    • Applicants from outside of Chicago and Joliet are still eligible for generous scholarship funding
    • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation (letters can also be used toward your degree application).
      ■ Reference 1 (someone who can speak to your gifts and potential as an Augustus Tolton scholar)
      ■ Reference 2 (preferably the pastor of the church you attend or other pastoral minister)
    • How your commitment to ministry is impacted by the life of St. Oscar Romero
      How you expect the Oscar Romero Scholars Pastoral Ministry program to prepare you for service and leadership in Hispanic/Latin@ settings
      Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • The Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program provides an opportunity for Black Catholics to receive academic, personal, spiritual and professional education and training in preparation for professional ministry for the specific needs of Black Catholics.

      To be considered for this scholarship, prospective Tolton Scholars must:
      Be a practicing Black Catholic for at least 1 year
      Have at least two years of service in the Church or Church related field
    • Members of the Archdiocese of Chicago are eligible for a full-tuition scholarship for the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry program. Specific requirements for this full-tuition scholarship are:
      Reside or work within the Archdiocese of Chicago
      Commit to serve for or on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago for three years after graduation
    • Applicants outside the Archdiocese of Chicago are still eligible for generous scholarship funding.
    • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation (letters can also be used toward your degree application).
      ■ Reference 1 (someone who can speak to your engagement and potential in Hispanic ministry)
      ■ Reference 2 (preferably the pastor of the church you attend or other pastoral minister)
    • How you see this scholarship and your theological study benefitting the Black Catholic community
      How you see this program preparing you for ministerial leadership in the Black Catholic community
      Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • The Ladies of Bethany is the American branch of the Vrouwen van Bethanië, a Diocesan congregation from the Diocese of Haarlem, The Netherlands. The congregation was founded by Jacques van Ginneken, SJ. He looked for women who would be educated in theology and spirituality in order that they might help people develop hearts and eyes “open to the reality of God.” Inspired by the life and words of Ignatius of Loyola to “See God in everything and everything in God,” members have sought through various ministerial commitments to accompany individuals and groups in the process of building a more inclusive society in which the most vulnerable people are valued. The Ladies of Bethany Scholarship offers one woman the financial support of $10,000 to assist with tuition-only.
      To be considered for this competitive scholarship,applicants must:
      Be a woman who supports the charism of the order and may not have the means to pursue theological education
      Submit a typed, double-spaced essay (500 words) specifically expressing interest in ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, intercultural relations, spirituality, catechesis, justice and peace, ecology, and/or pastoral care. The essay should include the education and co-curricular involvements that have enhanced your theological study and preparation for ministry.
      Submit additional information, if requested
    • Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • Catholic Theological Union (CTU) offers a limited number of full scholarships to lay women from developing countries who want to enhance their existing ministerial experiences through the study of theology. These scholarships cover tuition, single student housing, health insurance, and a book allowance, as well as providing a personal stipend for up to two years.
      This scholarship is available to women who are willing to enter into an educational partnership between the community in which they minister, themselves, and Catholic Theological Union. The terms of this partnership center on a firm commitment to serve the Church in one's country upon completion of the educational component.
      To be considered for this competitive scholarship, prospective International Women Scholars must submit:
      A personal one-page typed essay describing why the applicant deserves this scholarship and how she hopes to use her CTU theological education when she returns to her country and a statement of commitment to serve the Church in one's country
      A statement from a church, community, or faith-based organization willing to enter into an educational partnership with CTU and the International Women's Scholar
      A statement from a sponsor indicating a willingness to financially support additional emergency expenses, up to $3,000 US dollars
      An academic letter of reference (can be used for the admissions application)
      Finalists are required to participate in an online interview.
    • Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • Please upload your essay or email to admissions@ctu.edu
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • Scholarships are offered on a yearly basis for degree and certificate seeking students and can be renewed if a student meets the requirements for renewal as stated in their offer letter as long as funds are available. Students can only receive one scholarship from CTU at a time. This includes but is not limited to the General Scholarship, all Matching Grants (including the Diocesan Scholars program, Lay Ecclesial Ministry Scholarships, and Critical Needs Scholarship), Cardinal Bernardin Scholarship, Augustus Tolton Scholarship, the Oscar Romero Scholarship, and all other scholarships listed in this application. Students can apply for other external scholarships that are not affiliated with CTU. Students can only apply for scholarships for the current semester; scholarships cannot be applied retroactively after a term has ended.
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