Welcome to Admissions
DSPT is engaged in a rare dialogue with ancient, medieval, and modern wisdom, seeking to renew the relationship between philosophy and theology in order to transform the contemporary world. As a historic Dominican institution, we aim to convert hearts and minds by preaching the truth discovered by human reason and revealed in the Gospel.
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We are a community of scholars committed to the study of both philosophy and theology, which we view as complementary forms of knowledge, as did our exemplars, St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas. In our Dominican tradition, philosophy is a necessary pursuit which allows us to understand the intelligbility of God's revelation. Since the 13th century, the Dominican order has equipped Catholics to engage the vast Western philosophical tradition, which illumines the practice of theology. Thus, unlike a majority of graduate schools, DSPT integrates our departments of philosophy and theology, encouraging faculty and students to engage both disciplines as part of a single conversation, attentive to the fullest range of truth. As our students become masters of each discipline, they develop the ability to think and reason from “first principles,” which allows them to engage contemporary thought charitably and critically. Our search for wisdom is driven by a singular conviction: that the truth can be known, and that pursuit of the truth is the highest human vocation, a vocation in which we become our fully ourselves.
The study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is. - Thomas Aquinas
Our students engage the entire philosophical and theological tradition without any gaps. Thus, each program and class is organized in a historical and sytematic manner, so that we are always in conversation with the rich heritage of the past and the pressing concerns of our contemporaries. We investigate primary texts with rigor, encourage lively debate, and want our students to arrive at decisive judgement as they weigh arguments within the theological and philosophical tradition. Immersed in a learning environment that encourages original insights in a non-competitive setting, our students develop the virtues of integrative thinking, intellectual humility, and self-direction. Upon graduating, our students have been formed in a pedagogy that is comprehensive, systematic, and integrative. With this formation, our students cultivate habits of thought and action that develop virtue and flexibility in the face of our society's questions and challenges. Contemplate the truth. Engage the tradition. Transform the culture.
Why DSPT? Why Now?
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Ready to Learn More? Contact Admissions!
DSPT Faculty Areas of Interest
Our faculty are committed to a life of Thomistic intellectual inquiry. Their expertise is highly interdisciplinary and their research is cutting edge.
Syllabi and Course Information
Our faculty offer a wide variety of courses at the intersection of philosophy and theology. See what classes we are offering.
Bay Area Location
The San Francisco Bay Area is unparalleled in its rich cultural diversity and natural beauty. It's also packed with academic adventures.
Opportunities at GTU and UC Berkeley
Take courses and work with professors from UC Berkeley and The Graduate Theological Union
Study Abroad
Experience the historic Dominican centers of education. Students can participate in international opportunities at the Angelicum, Blackfriars and more.
Campus Events
DSPT is a vibrant academic culture. We regularly host lectures, colloquia and presentations that complement our curriculum.
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
St. Thomas Aquinas