Master of Divinity (M.Div.): 72 Credit Non-Ordination Track

Since the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a first professional degree, the purpose of this program is to foster basic theological understanding and to develop initial pastoral competence on the part of students preparing for ministry. The M.Div. curriculum involves an in-depth study of the Christian, especially the Roman Catholic, theological tradition, pastoral skills, and a supervised practice of ministry. This track is designed to prepare lay students and members of religious communities who are not on an ordination track for pastoral ministry.

Admission Requirements:
1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
2. An undergraduate foundation in philosophy consisting of a minimum of 12 credit hours drawn from among the following areas: History of Philosophy, Logic, Metaphysics, Ethics, Philosophy of God, and Philosophical Anthropology.
3. An undergraduate introduction to Old Testament and an Introduction to New Testament literature.
4. A reading knowledge of Latin (see below for further information).
5. A completed and signed Application Form (submitted through the Office of Graduate Admissions website).
6. Statement of Purpose: in an essay of 500 to 700 words, applicants state their purpose in undertaking graduate study in theology and religious studies. The essay also includes the applicant's academic objectives, research interests, and career plans as well as related qualifications, including: collegiate, professional and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application form.
7. Official Transcripts: Applicants should contact the registrar of every post-secondary school previously attended and request an official transcript be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transcripts marked "Student Copy" or "Issued to a Student" cannot be accepted. Official transcripts must be sent in sealed envelopes with an official university stamp or signature across the seal to ensure confidentiality. Transcripts should show: (a) receipt of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; (b) the courses completed toward the degree; (c) the grade in each course; and (d) the basis for grading in effect at the institution. Admission to University graduate courses for applicants completing their final year of undergraduate or graduate degree study is contingent upon the receipt of the final transcript showing the conferral of the degree.
  Note: All transcripts issued from outside the United must be certified by a recognized evaluator of international education records (such as WES or AACRAO), even if in the English language. Education completed at institutions outside of the United States, as shown by official documents, may be accepted as equivalent to educational experience in the United States.
8. Three letters of recommendation: Submit three confidential letters of recommendation using the electronic form sent from the Office of Graduate Admission. Along with the form, it is highly recommended to include a letter from the recommender. Recommendations should come from former or present college or university instructors, and/or employers or supervisors and give evidence of the applicant's personal aptitude for, as well as interest in and motivation for, the field of theology and pastoral studies.
9. Applicants to the degree programs of the School of Theology and Religious Studies (STRS) who are priests, deacons, seminarians, or members of religious communities are required to submit a letter of endorsement from their Bishop or Religious Superior (in addition to their three letters of recommendation) with their application. All applicants who will be funded for their studies by a diocese or religious community are required to submit a separate letter from their superior attesting to this financial support.
10. Nonrefundable Application Fee.
11. International Students: Applicants from non-English speaking nations and some from nations where English is one of the official languages whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the United States are required to certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score on TOEFL of 80 (Internet- based) is required. On the IELTS an overall band score of 6.5 or higher is required.
12. Writing Sample: For those applicants applying to the M.Div. program, it is highly recommended although NOT required to submit a writing sample with the application.
Coursework Requirements:
1. This option of the M.Div. degree requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate courses.
2. Credit hours are distributed as follows: Systematic Theology (12), Moral Theology (9), Biblical Studies (9), Church History (6), Liturgical/Sacramental Theology (6), Canon Law (3), Spirituality (3), Pastoral Studies (18), and two ministry capstone seminars (6). All M.Div. students are ordinarily required to take six credits of Basic Supervised Ministry as part of their pastoral studies courses. In lieu of Basic Supervised Ministry, students may complete a certified C.P.E. unit and take Advanced Supervised Ministry.
3. Foundational credit hours (18): Introduction to Theology (3), Foundations of Christian Moral Life (3), Foundations of Liturgy and Sacramental Theology (3), Pastoral Theology (3), Introduction to the History of Christian Spirituality (3), Basic Principles of Canon Law (3). Introduction to Theology, Foundations of Liturgy and Sacramental Theology, Foundations of Christian Moral Life, and Pastoral Theology must be taken by M.Div. students during their first year in the program.
4. Beyond the required pastoral studies courses, Pastoral Theology (TRS 656), Basic Supervised Ministry I (TRS 652A) and Basic Supervised Ministry II (TRS 652B), (or C.P.E. and Advanced Supervised Ministry), students fulfill their remaining pastoral studies electives from among the offerings in STRS.
5. The two capstone seminars. The Art of Pastoral Leadership (TRS 657A) and Pastoral Leadership: Reflection, Evaluation, and Integration (TRS 657B), are required.
6. The following courses do not count towards the required courses in pastoral studies in STRS: CPE, (unless it is affiliated with Advanced Supervised Ministry (TRS 652G) to fulfill the Basic Supervised Ministry requirement), Extended Pastoral Supervision (TRS 652C), Supervised Ministry for Religious (TRS 652D), Carmelite Supervised Ministry Internship, Part I
7. All students entering the program must take the following courses in their first fall semester: TRS 699A: Proseminar for New Graduate Ministerial Students, TRS 660A: Introduction to Theology, TRS 630A: Foundations of Christian Moral Life, and LAT 501: Elementary Latin for Graduate Students (unless fulfilled as a prerequisite or by passing an examination at the beginning of the semester). Students matriculating without an undergraduate course in both the Old and New Testament must take TRS 504A: Introduction to the Old Testament and TRS 504B: Introduction to the New Testament in the first year of studies.
8. According to University regulations, the normal course load for graduate students is 12 credit hours per semester; the minimum load for full-time graduate students is eight credit hours. To facilitate fulfillment of prerequisites for the M.Div. program, a student is permitted to enroll for a maximum of 15 credit hours if he or she has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher or receives permission from the Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies.
9. Students entering with the requisite background can complete the M.Div. program within three years.
10. The ministry seminars are designed to be the primary aid in achieving an integration of the theoretical and practical aspects of the program. Because the nature of the seminar is to integrate pastorally what the student has learned academically, the seminars should be taken during the student's last three semesters in the program.
11. Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.75 in their coursework to be eligible for the M.Div. degree.
12. Students who incur two or more failing grades in formal coursework are subject to academic dismissal
Language Requirements: There are no language requirements for this degree.
Comprehensive Examinations: No comprehensive examinations are required for this degree.
Residency Requirements: Six semesters of full-time enrollment or the equivalent.