Preparation for Ordination
Education for ordained ministry at The Catholic University of America derives from a 1927 mandate of the University's Board of Trustees to provide a seminary course for the education of candidates for the priesthood.
The education of seminarians has been a fitting part of the University's mission to be of service to the Church by preparing its future leaders. The Code of Canon Law (c. 250), the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education (nos. 61 and 76) and the Program of Priestly Formation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops call for four years of theological education in preparation for priestly ordination. The School's degree programs in theology and pastoral studies offer and strongly recommend an eight- semester program of theological studies for seminarians. The degree programs offered afford a variety of opportunities for students preparing for ordination to obtain recognized academic and professional degrees. The ecclesiastical degrees are acknowledged internationally as preparation for priestly ministry. The Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) degree can be obtained in three years. It can be followed by the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) and the Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) degrees. In addition to the academic courses required by the degree, opportunities are provided for students to participate in pastoral courses that integrate theology, pastoral ministry and supervised experiential learning. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program is an advantageous way for students to prepare themselves for a variety of ministries in the Church. The program requirements ensure that students integrate academic work and pastoral experience in view of future ministry.
Seminarians may also opt to pursue the S.T.B. and M.Div. jointly. Students also have the opportunity to do specialized work in preparation for particular ministries, such as Hispanic ministry. The judgments about a candidate's qualifications and readiness for ordination belong to the candidate and to the seminary or house of studies in which he is enrolled with the final judgment made by his ecclesiastical superior.
While the School of Theology and Religious Studies does not assume responsibility for evaluating a student's suitability for ministry, it does provide an evaluation of the academic performance and the professional capabilities of the students enrolled in its programs. Acceptance into (or exclusion from), as well as completion of, any of the degree programs of the School does not imply a judgment on the qualifications of a student for ordination. Since the preparation for ordination to the priesthood requires not only theological studies but also human, spiritual, and pastoral formation (cf. Program of Priestly Formation), a candidate for ordination must also be enrolled in a seminary or house of studies. Theological College, the University seminary, provides the human and spiritual formation necessary for ordination for diocesan seminarians. Here students preparing for diocesan priesthood find the resources and competent help in integrating personally all aspects of their preparation for ordained ministry. Other seminaries and houses of formation in Washington, D.C., and the metropolitan area also use the Schools of Theology and Religious Studies for the philosophical and theological preparation of men for priestly ministry. The Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies acts as a liaison between the School and the seminarians.