Aquinas Institute of Theology

What is the history of Aquinas Institute of Theology?

Aquinas Institute of Theology is a Catholic graduate school rooted in the Dominican tradition. Dominican friars established the school in River Forest, Illinois, in 1925 to prepare members of their order for ministry. It moved to St. Louis in 1981 and broadened its educational work to include lay students as well as members of religious communities and clergy.

That history explains a distinction prospective applicants should understand: Aquinas is a specialized school of theology and ministry, not a general undergraduate college. It has longstanding academic ties to Saint Louis University, but the two are separate institutions. Applicants should use Aquinas's own admissions, tuition, and degree requirements when comparing programs.

What are the faculties and departments at Aquinas Institute of Theology?

Aquinas organizes its academics around graduate theological education rather than a collection of undergraduate colleges or majors. Its programs include preparation for ministry and advanced study in theology, with credentials such as the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry.

Programs serving different goals can have substantially different requirements. A ministry-focused degree may combine classroom study with supervised practice, while an advanced professional doctorate is designed for people who already have substantial theological education and ministry experience. Applicants should compare each program's current curriculum, field-education requirements, and intended professional use rather than treating all theology degrees as interchangeable.

What is the location of Aquinas Institute of Theology?

Aquinas Institute of Theology is in St. Louis, Missouri, near Saint Louis University's urban campus. Its Midtown setting puts students close to other educational, religious, and community organizations that may be relevant to theological study or ministry placements.

For students attending in person, the practical question is how often their particular courses and required activities meet on campus. St. Louis has public transit, but commuting time and transportation costs will depend on where a student lives and where any field placement is located. Aquinas's proximity to Saint Louis University does not mean that every university facility or service is automatically available to Aquinas students.

What is the mission and vision of Aquinas Institute of Theology?

Aquinas describes its educational purpose in terms of theological study, preaching, and service, informed by the Roman Catholic and Dominican intellectual traditions. Its religious identity is part of the academic environment rather than merely a historical affiliation.

Prospective students can expect theology and ministry to be approached within that tradition while studying alongside people preparing for different forms of service. Applicants whose goals involve ordination, professional chaplaincy, or employment in a particular denomination should check whether the specific degree and coursework meet that organization's requirements; an institutional mission does not itself confer a professional credential.