Properzi received a BS in social work with a minor in psychology from BYU, a masters in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School (scripture and interpretation), an MPhil from Cambridge University (Peterhouse) in psychology and religion, a PhD in the study of religion (Mormon studies) from Durham University in the United Kingdom, and a post-doc diploma in interfaith dialogue (Catholicism and Islam) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He held a visiting assistant professorship at BYU for the year 2011–2012 prior to CFS-track hiring. He also taught as adjunct for two years at Utah Valley University in the Department of Philosophy and Humanities.