The Master of Divinity degree program is a fully accredited professional ministerial degree and the primary degree in seminary education in the U.S. It is designed to be completed by seminarians in the Configuration Stage of the priestly formation program. Successful candidates complete the required coursework by achieving a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 each semester. Strong MDiv candidates may also apply for acceptance into a dual Master of Arts degree program
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will develop the ability to uphold the truths of faith by the light of reason and an established habit and desire to explore the Word of God and theological Tradition.
2. Students will integrate academic development with spiritual formation by using the knowledge gained through academic courses to deepen friendship with Jesus Christ.
3. Students will acquire the necessary knowledge and develop the habit of demonstrating fidelity to the Magisterium in speech and actions.
4. Students will develop sound knowledge of the Christian faith and the ability to proclaim, explain, and defend it as well as to influence approaches to pastoral ministry (e.g., knowledge of Christian anthropology).
Achieving these goals is measured through course examinations and the Profile process, a comprehensive formation evaluation process which evaluates the student’s growth in human, spiritual, pastoral, and intellectual dimensions. Other assessment measures include the annual Comprehensive Timed Assessment, the Readiness for Ministry Exam (see Learning Assessment and Student Evaluation Protocols), and an annual meeting of the entire formation faculty (Rector’s Council) with each bishop (sponsor) and/or vocation director to review in depth each seminarian’s progress. These tools provide the Seminary, the seminarian, and his sponsors with a comprehensive evaluation of the seminarian’s progress.
Saint Vincent Seminary offers two types of Master of Divinity Programs:
Non-Ordination “Master of Divinity” Degree Program (100 credits) :
This program does not lead to ordination in the Catholic Church and is open to lay students. It lacks many of the priestly formation requirements for Orders in the Catholic Church, but it prepares students to function in the Church in a variety of ministries (Catechist, DRE, Teacher, etc.), and may function as part of the educational formation for members of other religious persuasions.
Ordination “Master of Divinity” Degree Program (116/119 credits) :
This degree program is reserved for seminarians and is specifically designed to fulfill the requirements of the Priestly Formation Program for ordination into the Roman Catholic Priesthood.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., or equivalent) from an accredited college or university;
- 18 credits in philosophy for non-ordination students;
- 30 credits in philosophy for ordination students, in accord with the PPF6;
- 12 credits in Judeo-Christian theology;
- 3 credits in New Testament Greek and a working knowledge of Latin (two semesters);
- Non-ordination students are required to have a personal interview with the Academic Dean and to submit three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a person who knows their academic ability;
- In particular circumstances, the Admissions Committee will determine whether deficiencies may be corrected after admission; and
- Students for whom English is a second language are required to submit scores from a recent TOEFL examination. The required scores are 550 on the paper examination, 215 on the computer examination, or 79 on the internet examination. A Duolingo score of 120 is also acceptable.
To transfer credit from previous course work to the Discipleship Stage theology/philosophical intellectual formation programs, the course must have been taken within the last 10 years.
The Degree Requirements for the Non-Ordination Master of Divinity Program:
Those applying for the ordination program must submit all the required documents and meet the requirements listed on the current admissions checklist before being admitted into the ordination program.
1. No fewer than 100 credits as specified:
- 14 credits in Sacred Scripture
- 24 credits in Systematic Theology
- 12 credits in Church History
- 24 credits in Pastoral Studies,
- 26 credits in electives (including one two-credit M.Div. seminar)
2. A grade point average of 2.5
3. A minimum of 50 credits accomplished at Saint Vincent Seminary. Note that not all transfer credits and courses can apply to this program.
The Degree Requirements for the Ordination Master of Divinity Program:
The Ordination program builds on the foundation of the Master of Divinity degree. A normal credit distribution and plan of studies is found below. A maximum of 60 credits may be transferred, and transfer credits must have been obtained within the previous ten-year period. Not all courses may be transferable into the Seminary Ordination program. Ordination students who earn the Master of Divinity degree will be granted the degree only after their fourth year of study. All ordination candidates are required to participate fully in the human, intellectual, pastoral, and spiritual formation programs of the Seminary.
The Distribution of Courses in the Ordination Master of Divinity Program
- Spanish: 6 credits
- Sacred Scripture (SC): 24* credits
- Theology (TH): 39 credits
- Church History (HS): 12 credits
- Pastoral and Spiritual Theology (PST): 15 credits
- Pastoral Studies (PA): 21 credits
- MU 710: 2 credits
Total: no fewer than 116/119* credits as specified
Electives: Students may take elective courses whenever their schedule allows as long as their total credit load per semester is 19 or lower. Credit loads above 19 credits must have the permission of the Academic Dean.
*Three SC credits are for prerequisite SC 701 Introduction to New Testament Greek.
The Normal Cycle of Classes for the M.Div. Degree
First Configuration: Fall Semester
HS 870: Patrology: 3 credits
PA 712: Catechetics: 2 credits
PA 721: Introduction to Pastoral Communication: 2 credits
PST 720: Worship and Ministry: 2 credits
SC 701: Introduction to New Testament Greek (pre-requisite): 3 credits
SC 810: The Primary History of Ancient Israel: 3 credits
TH 820: Fundamental Theology: 3 credits
Total Credits: 15/18
First Configuration: Spring Semester
HM 701: Spanish I: 3 credits
MS 800: Monastic Spirituality: 2 credits
– or-
PST 710: Diocesan Spirituality: 2 credits
SC 806: NT Exegesis, Mark and Matthew: 3 credits
TH 821: Christian Anthropology and Grace: 3 credits
TH 840: Fundamental Liturgy: 2 credits
TH 850: Principles of Moral Theology: 3 credits
Total Credits: 16
Second Configuration: Fall Semester
HM 702: Spanish II – Pastoral Spanish: 3 credits
PA 760: Pastoral Visitation of the Sick (Practicum): 2 credits
SC 807: Luke-Acts and the NT Epistles: 3 credits
SC 811: Wisdom Literature & the Psalms: 3 credits
TH 833: Trinity: 3 credits
TH 853: Catholic Social Ethics: 3 credits
Total Credits: 17
Second Configuration: Spring Semester
HS 871: Medieval to Counter-Reformation Church History: 3 credits
PA 760: Pastoral Visitation of the Sick (Practicum): 2 credits
PST 734: Introduction to Canon Law: 3 credits
SC 812: Prophetic Literature: 3 credits
SC 816: Writings of Saint Paul: 3 credits
TH 832: Christology: 3 credits
Total Credits: 17
Third Configuration: Fall Semester
HS 872: Modern Church History: 3 credits
PA 722: Homiletics I: 3 credits
PST 735: Canon Law and Sacraments: 3 credits
TH 834: Ecclesiology, Missiology, Ecumenism: 3 credits
TH 852: Catholic Sexual Ethics: 3 credits
TH 864: Mariology: 2 credits
Total Credits: 17
Third Configuration: Spring Semester
HS 873: Catholic Church in the U.S.: 3 credits
PA 723: Homiletics II: 3 credits
MU 710: Liturgical Music: 2 credits
SC 817: Johannine Literature (Gospel, Letters, Revelation): 3 credits
TH 835: The Sacraments of Initiation: 3 credits
TH 851: Biomedical and Medical Ethics for Priestly Ministry: 3 credits
Total Credits: 17
Fourth Configuration: Fall Semester
PA 740 Deacon Preparation Lab: 2 credits
PA 759: Pastoral Leadership and Parish Administration: 2 credits
PST 741: Pneumatology and Spiritual Direction: 3 credits
PST 740: Pastoral Care of Marriage and Families: 2 credits
PA 751 Pastoral Counseling I and II: 3 credits
TH 865: Theology of the Priesthood and Celibacy: 3 credits
TH 866: The Sacraments of Healing: 2 credits
Total Credits: 17
- As part of the Hispanic Ministries Program, each sponsor is also encouraged to provide a Summer Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion Program (of three to four weeks) for each of their seminarians during their years in seminary.
Candidates for the Ordination Master of Divinity degree must maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.5 while completing no fewer than 116 credits, following the distribution and the cycle of courses listed above. Candidates must complete all degree requirements within 10 years after acceptance into the Master of Divinity Program to receive a diploma.
Credit Load for Master of Divinity Students
A normal credit load for the Master of Divinity candidate is 17 credits per semester, which constitutes balance of courses, some more heavily academic, some more pastoral, to help facilitate a holistic integration of studies, reflection, and ministerial skills.
Academic Dismissal from the Master of Divinity Program
A student may be dismissed by the Seminary for failing to attain and maintain a cumulative average of 2.5 by the end of the second semester. If a student’s cumulative average falls below 2.5, an academic warning letter will be issued. If the required 2.5 cumulative average is not attained by the end of the following semester, the student may be dismissed. A dismissed student may be readmitted by the Seminary if he or she does acceptable remedial work. Once readmitted, the student must maintain the required cumulative average at each grading period. A second dismissal is final.