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 Catholic Theological Union (CTU) is the largest Catholic graduate school of Theology and Ministry in the United States. Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, it was founded in the spirit and vision of Vatican II in 1968 by three religious orders - The Franciscans, the Passionists and the Servites. Today it is owned by 32 religious orders and governed by a Board of Trustees. CTU's faculty is made up of men and women who write the leading books in theology.
Catholic Theological Union prepares over 600 students each year for ministry in the Church. Its international student-body consists of religious order seminarians, of priests, vowed women religious, women preparing for religious life, deacons, and lay men and women. Last year students from 49 different countries studied at CTU. Our graduates minister in churches, schools, prisons, hospices, diocesan offices, and human service agencies world-wide.
CTU offers three degrees - Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. An Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry degree is offered in cooperation with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary. Certificates are offered in the areas of Biblical Spirituality, Cross-Cultural Mission, Healthcare Leadership, Liturgical Studies, Pastoral Studies and Spiritual Formation. The Summer Institute, three individual weeks each June, provides an opportunity for people to take courses in the areas of Scripture, Preaching, Spirituality, Doctrine, and Cross-Cultural studies. This summer the Institute features three Black Catholic scholars -- James Okoye, CSSp (Scripture), Dr. Diana Hayes (Doctrine) and Dr. C. Vanessa White (Spirituality). Most courses offered by CTU may be taken for continuing education.
CTU is the home of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program. The Tolton Program began in 1990 under the leadership of nationally respected theologian, Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, OP, Ph.D, who was a faculty member at the time. The Program, offered in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Chicago, provides scholarships to Black Catholic lay men and women interested in preparing for ministerial leadership in the Archdiocese. The Program also provides spiritual formation that integrates the spirit and wisdom of black culture with spirituality, academic understanding, and ministerial skills. The scholars have an opportunity to study during the summer at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies. Tolton Scholars commit to ministering in the Archdiocese of Chicago for three years after graduation. The Program now has 16 graduates and 10 current scholars. The Director of the Program is Dr. C. Vanessa White.
Catholic Theological Union is home to the Bernardin Center that sponsors interfaith dialogue with Catholic/Muslim and Catholic/Jewish programs and advances Joseph Cardinal Bernardin's vision of reconciliation. CTU is home to the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program and the Center for the Study of Religious Life among others. CTU also offers biblical study and travel programs which provide opportunities for students and interested others to go on retreat in the Holy Land, walk in the footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey, or to study in the Holy Land for eight weeks.
In July 2006, CTU will open its newly built academic center.
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