Archbishop Lyke received his Ph.D. in theology with a specialization in catechetics from The Union Institute in Cincinnati in 1981. The title of his doctoral thesis is “A Black Perspective on the National Catechetical Directory.”

The Union Institute is a university dedicated exclusively to adult learners with a tutorial-based program leading to either a baccalaureate or doctoral degree. Its graduate student enrollment is approximately 900.

His earlier educational experience included a two-year liberal arts education at St. Joseph Seminary College in Oak Brook, Ill., and study in the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis. He received his B.A. in philosophy from Our Lady of Angels House of Philosophy through Quincy College, in Quincy, Ill. Following three years of preparation and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Joseph Theological Seminary through Antonianum in Rome, Italy, following study from 1963 to 1967.

He also served on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Catechetical Directory while he was working on his doctorate.

He holds honorary doctorates from Grambling State University in Louisiana and the College of New Rochelle in New York.