Preparation for the Profession
The primary focus of the graduate program is to give the student a thorough grounding in the history of the Christian theological tradition, and to develop the skills of critical analysis and integration necessary for professional theological work. The resources of the department are supplemented by the other departments in Fordham's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the New York Doctoral Consortium gives opportunities to study and network at Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York University, General Theological Seminary and St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Seminary.
Students are encouraged to present papers at scholarly conferences in their discipline, and some travel funding is available through the Graduate Student Association. Within the department, frequent colloquia, reading groups and symposia offer important occasions for professional development. Opportunities to gain teaching experience are available through teaching fellowships awarded through the department and in the many adjunct positions offered at New York area colleges.