Frequently Asked Questions
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Also see : Why a Dominican School of PHILOSOPHY and Theology? Why should philosophy be taught at all at the Graduate THEOLOGICAL Union?
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1. Is DSPT just for members of religious orders and seminarians,
or can lay people attend?
2. I am interested in studying theology, however I have been out
of school a long time and do not feel ready to commit to a degree program. Can
I take classes at DSPT without applying to a degree program?
3. Is it possible to attend the DSPT part-time?
4. Since I work full-time, I was wondering if the DSPT offers
any night, weekend or summer classes?
5. Is it possible to just sit in on or audit classes at DSPT?
6. Does DSPT offer any scholarships or federal loan money?
7. Does the Dominican School provide any housing? Jobs?
8. Does the DSPT have any on-line or distance learning courses
at this time?
9. What is the relationship between the GTU and DSPT?
10. What are the differences between the GTU Common MA and the
DSPT M.A. (Theology)?
11. I am a Roman Catholic looking at the three Catholic schools
at the GTU. Could you tell me how the schools differ?
1. Is DSPT just for members of religious orders and seminarians,
or can lay people attend?
Lay people are strongly encouraged to apply to DSPT. The current student body
is composed of half lay students and half students who are members of religious
orders. Although DSPT is considered a seminary, it is also a theology and philosophy
school. There are lay students enrolled in all of the degree programs at DSPT
with hopes of pursuing both ministry and academic careers. Return
to Top
2. I am interested in studying theology, however I have
been out of school a long time and do not feel ready to commit to a degree
program. Can I take classes at DSPT without applying to a degree program?
Yes. You may enroll at DSPT as a non-degree student in a status known as Special
Student Status. Often students who choose to be Special Students find it to
be a safe stepping-stone into a degree program, especially for the students
who may not feel focused or ready for the degree commitment. As a Special Student,
you may take classes for one academic year. This approach affords you a great
opportunity to get to know the school and decide if DSPT is a good fit for
you. Courses taken for credit as a Special Student can usually be transferred
into a degree program. As a Special Student, you are assigned an advisor who
will assist you in achieving your educational goals.
DSPT also offers another non-degree option entitled the Certificate of Theological
Studies. After taking four theology courses, the CTS student receives a certificate.
For some students, this additional certificate adequately serves their needs
and is the addition to their academic experience that they are seeking. However,
like the Special Student Status, courses taken as a CTS student, if chosen
well, are also transferable into a degree program. Return
to Top
3. Is it possible to attend the DSPT part-time?
Yes. Although each program has an allotted time for completion, students may
enroll on a part-time basis. DSPT students pay tuition by the unit. A student
wanting to borrow federal loan money must be enrolled in at least six units.
All international students must be enrolled full-time or twelve units. Return
to Top
4. Since I work full-time, I was wondering if the DSPT
offers any night, weekend or summer classes?
DSPT and the GTU offer some night classes, however, it is not possible to
compete a degree program solely by taking classes at night. There are currently
no Saturday classes offered at the DSPT. Although the GTU hosts a summer session,
most of the summer classes are offered for 1.5 units and only two 1.5 unit
courses can be applied to a degree program at DSPT. Nonetheless, the summer
session is a helpful way to get to know the GTU schools, "holy hill" and
the resources of the GTU library. Return to Top
5. Is it possible to just sit in on or audit classes
at DSPT?
Yes, it is possible to audit classes at the DSPT. Auditors must first apply
for admission to the School. Once enrolled, they pay the same tuition fee as
those taking classes for credit. Return to Top
6. Does DSPT offer any scholarships or federal loan money?
DSPT is able to assist most of its students who apply for scholarship or grant-in-aid
tuition assistance provided that the student exhibits both the need and merit.
Initially, a student should not expect more than one-third tuition scholarship.
Federal educational loan money is an option for citizens of the United States. Return to Top
7. Does the Dominican School provide any housing? Jobs?
Yes. The three Catholic schools of
the GTU work jointly through a common housing director to assist students in
finding affordable housing. Although we cannot guarantee housing, the School
assists its students in finding affordable housing options. Concerning employment,
there are very few on campus student jobs at DSPT; however, being located in
a university town, there are opportunities available for employment off campus. Return
to Top
8. Does the DSPT have any on-line or distance learning
courses at this time?
No. Distance learning is often discussed the GTU, however there are no full
programs that can be completed on-line or via distance learning at this time. Return
to Top
9. What is the relationship between the GTU and DSPT?
DSPT is one of the nine member schools of the Graduate
Theological Union. In 1964, DSPT was the first Roman Catholic school to
join the GTU, followed by the Franciscan and Jesuit schools. Although DSPT is
a separate educational institution, it shares several aspects of its academic
life with the other GTU member schools and institutes, such as a common registrar
and course catalog, library, bookstore and financial aid office. DSPT offers
its own MA programs in philosophy and theology, as well as participates in the
GTU Common M.A. (Theology). Several of the DSPT regular faculty are core doctoral
faculty of the GTU. All students of the GTU schools are encouraged to enroll
in classes outside of their member school. Return to Top
10. What are the differences between the GTU Common MA and
the DSPT M.A. (Theology)?
There are many similarities and differences between the two programs. Although
both degree programs require the completion of 42 units of course work and 6
units of thesis for graduation, the main difference in the programs lies in
the distribution of the courses. For the GTU Common MA, a minimal number of
courses (i.e. four) are required in specific content areas; the remainder of
the student's course work is chosen from a student's specific area of interest
and electives. For the DSPT MA, there are several (up to four) required courses
in each of the following areas: systematic theology and Christian ethics; historical
theology; and biblical studies. The remainder of the student's course work is
electives, usually from the student's particular area of interest. The GTU MA
is designed to take optimum advantage of the ecumenical environment of the GTU.
The DSPT MA encourages the student to take one-third of their courses outside
of their member school; whereas the GTU Common MA requires that the student
take five of their courses outside of their member school. Cross-registration
at the University of California Berkeley is permissible for both degree programs.
Although the Common MA student who chooses to affiliate with the DSPT is considered
a member of the student body of the DSPT, upon graduation the student receives
his or her diploma from the GTU. The GTU Common MA tuition is slightly higher
than the DSPT MA (see
tuition). DSPT MA tuition is determined by the number of units for which
a student enrolls; the GTU Common MA student pays a set tuition rate per semester.
The DSPT M.A. (Theology) offers two types of M.A. (Theology) programs: Research Emphasis is completed by writing a research thesis culminating in an oral defense;
or Comprehensive Emphasis which is completed through the development of a creative project. The GTU Common MA, like the DSPT MA Research Emphasis, is completed
by writing a research thesis. Both the DSPT M.A. (Theology) Research Emphasis and the
Common MA have a language requirement. Return to Top
11. I am a Roman Catholic looking at the three Catholic
schools at the GTU. Could you tell me how the schools differ?
The easiest way to differentiate between the three Catholic schools is to consider
the charism of the religious orders that operate the schools. The Dominicans,
or Order of Preachers, seek to balance the active and contemplative life. Philosophy
is foundational to the Dominicans' academic pursuits, as it was for St. Thomas
Aquinas who provides the educational model for the school. DSPT is the only
Catholic or GTU school that offers a Master or Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy.
For the Dominicans, the preaching of the Gospel through various forms of ministry
is vital to their mission. Whether in the parish or the classroom, the work
of the Dominican order is to be ministers of the Gospel through a spiritual
community -- an attribute that is reflected in the school's welcoming environment.
The Jesuit and Franciscan schools also reflect the traditions from which they
originate. The Jesuit School seeks excellence in their academic pursuits, as
well as a commitment to social justice that connects their students to the world
around them. The Franciscan school, after the spirituality of St. Francis, and
based on the Franciscan vision of a "down-to-earth" God who sees all of creation
as sacred, strives to educate, form, and inspire women and men to "fill the
whole world with the Gospel of Christ." All three schools strive to live according
to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. For individual distinctions and
detailed information concerning the Franciscan School of Theology and Jesuit
School of Theology at Berkeley, please refer to each school's respective websites.
Return to Top
Do you have more questions? Please contact us with any questions
or comments?
John Knutsen, Director of Admissions
510-883-2073 or admissions@dspt.edu
Peter MacLeod, Director of Business Development and Marketing
510-883-2056 or info@dspt.edu
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