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August 2008 |
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Prospective Students
Admission
Requirements
Current Students
For Our Graduates
NEWS
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The Master of Divinity Program The Master of Divinity Program (M.Div.) is
the basic program of graduate professional education. The basic
sequence of 112 semester hours is organized into five general areas:
Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Systematic Theology, Pastoral
Theology, and Liturgical and Sacramental Theology. The course sequences
are so arranged that there is a progression from the sources of
revelation to the systematic understanding and application of principles
to the mission of the Church as required in the parochial ministry.
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Prerequisites for Admission to the Program Applicants will be admitted to
the seminary that have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an
institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
A. Understanding of human selfhood and
existence.
B. Understanding of modern social
institutions and problems
C. Understanding of culture and
religion
D. Understanding of the science and
technology
E. Understanding of the modes and
processes of understanding
II. Theological Understandings
A. Bible: content and interpretation
B. History of Christianity
C. Constructive theological
methodology and interpretation
III.
Linguistic Skills
A. Greek, Hebrew, Latin
B. German, French, or Spanish
It is desirable that a student
has a reading knowledge of one of the biblical languages and of one of
the classical or modern languages. Decisions about additional language
skills should be related to the future work of the individual. Thus,
French or German should be included for a person contemplating possible
graduate study in academic theology. Spanish or a language of the Third
World might be of value for another ministry.
Specific requirements which specify some of the areas of the
above are the following:
1. Theology--at least 12 semester
hours in courses distributed normally over the areas of Old and New
Testament history and literature, World Religions, Catholic Theology and
courses in Sacramental Theology.
2. Philosophy--at least 24 semester
hours normally including courses in contemporary philosophy, ethics,
logic or epistemology, metaphysics or natural theology and philosophical
anthropology.
3. Test scores from the Graduate
Record Examination.
Furthermore, the seminary reserves the right to give entrance or qualifying examinations in any of the categories above. A student, however, with a bachelor’s degree who lacks less than 36 semester hours needed to acquire the competencies above, may be admitted with the understanding that it is necessary to fulfill them at neighboring colleges and thus lengthen the seminary program. Back to the menu for The Master of Divinity Program
Candidates for the Roman Catholic Priesthood Applicants should understand that the diocesan priesthood vocation is a
call to service of the Church that comes from the local Church and,
therefore, on-going formation is subject to the scrutiny of that local
community of which the seminary is an integral part.
Applicants should be open to developments in Church life and
practices to prepare them for a lifelong commitment to the priesthood.
A Bishop
or a Religious Superior must sponsor prospective students who intend to
prepare themselves for ordination. To the extent permitted by its
primary mission the seminary will make efforts to accommodate candidates
for the priesthood from religious communities and other rites.
These applicants must provide, in addition to the documents required of
all full-time, degree seeking students, Baptismal and Confirmation
certificates; Marriage certificates of parents from Church records;
character testimonial from the pastor; and letters of recommendation.
These applicants are required to provide an autobiography or personal
history, which includes a vocational discernment statement. Students
from a college seminary are required to have a positive evaluation and
recommendation from the seminary faculty.
Each
applicant whether from the Diocese of Cleveland, other dioceses or
religious communities, must be considered by the Admissions Committee.
Prior to acceptance by the Admissions Committee, the applicant will be
expected to undergo a physical and psychological examination by
qualified personnel approved by the seminary.
Application deadline for entry into the seminary program is
May 1.
Applicants are notified that candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood are expected to provide their own transportation. Back to the menu for The Master of Divinity Program
Degree Seeking Students who are not Candidates for the Ordained Priesthood Upon request, prospective
students will be provided with a personal application form from the
Registrar’s Office. The application must be processed by August 1st for the Fall Semester and December 1st for the Spring
Semester.
The applicant
must request that an official transcript of credit earned from ALL
colleges previously attended be sent directly to the seminary.
After the
application has been received, letters of recommendation may be
requested from former professors or others familiar with the applicant’s
ability and probable performance as a graduate student, such as former
employers, lay persons, and parents. Psychological and physical
examinations by qualified personnel will be necessary to assess the
candidate’s ability for ministry.
Upon receipt
of the necessary records, the Admissions Committee will consider each
application. The seminary will then inform the applicant of its
decision. Admission does not necessarily imply candidacy for any
degree program.
Candidates from other faith traditions may
begin their M.Div. studies at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of
Theology. A memo of understanding is required from their sponsoring
denomination in order to outline an approved course of study that will
be accepted by the seminary they will attend.
Candidates who enter the M.Div program on a non-ordination track will be required to adjust their course of studies to accommodate the requirements of the program (i.e. Field education, spiritual direction and theological reflection). Students will need to complete their course of study within a ten-year period. With the permission of the Academic Dean, students may take a leave of absence ordinarily not exceeding one calendar year. Students who have been presumed to withdraw from the program must petition for readmission. Back to the menu for The Master of Divinity Program
The Curriculum Prerequisites:
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