Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity program is the main professional degree program providing theological training for those preparing to undertake ministry in the Roman Catholic Church, primarily through ordination to the priesthood. The program meets all the requirements of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Program of Priestly Formation (Fifth Edition, 2005). The Academic Program for Priesthood Candidates is the prescribed curriculum for all seminarians seeking ordination. In particular and exceptional cases, with the approval of the rector/dean, qualified students who are not seeking ordination are admitted to the M.Div. program.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the aforementioned general admission requirements for all ICSST programs, M.Div. applicants:
- must undertake psychological testing, according to protocols issued by the Office of the Rector/Dean;
- must have a personal interview with the rector/dean and/or the appropriate associate dean. Scheduling for such interviews is initiated by ICSST; and
- should have earned at least 15 undergraduate hours in religious studies/theology and at least 30 undergraduate hours in philosophy as part of their undergraduate education, corresponding to the themes required by the Program of Priestly Formation (Fifth Edition, 2005). Further preparation will be provided through the Pre- Theology program at ICSST.
Note: For seminarians already sponsored by a diocese or religious community, on-site testing at Seton Hall University for English language abilities (with possible additional requirements in ESL classes) may be substituted for the TOEFL, in consultation with the associate dean.
Matriculation Requirements
M.Div. students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The M.Div. program should be completed within six years (exclusive of any Philosophy or Pre-Theology requirements) unless extension of time is granted upon petition to the ICSST Educational Policy Committee due to extenuating circumstances.
Degree Requirements
The M.Div. curriculum consists of four components: coursework; field education and theological reflection; spiritual formation; and the M.Div. Comprehensive Projects, as follows. All students must take STHO 6022 Graduate Research Seminar in the first semester of study.
The M.Div. degree program is normally four academic years of full-time study for students who have completed all prerequisite courses. The M.Div. degree program is normally six academic years of full-time study for students who must complete prerequisite courses.
I. Coursework (74 credits)
Students must complete academic coursework according to the following distribution:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | ||
| BIBL 6501 | Synoptic Gospels (or specific study of a Gospel) | 3 |
| BIBL 6505 | Pauline Literature | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Pentateuch | ||
| Prophetic Literature | ||
| Wisdom Literature-Psalms | ||
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Historical Studies | ||
| HSTD 6340 | From Church Fathers to 1500 | 3 |
| Any other HSTD course | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Moral Theology | ||
| CETH 6105 | Fundamental Moral Theology | 3 |
| CETH 6201 | Fundamental Moral Theology II | 3 |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Pastoral Theology * | ||
| PTHO 6109 | Intro to Preaching | 2 |
| PTHO 6112 | Preaching Pract I | 2 |
| PTHO 6113 | Preaching Pract II | 2 |
| PTHO 6203 | Pastoral Psych. and Counseling | 3 |
| PTHO 6401 | General Canon Law | 3 |
| PTHO 6405 | Canon Law Marriage | 3 |
| PTHO 6601 | Pastoral Ministry - Intro | 3 |
| PTHO 6726 | History of Spirituality | 3 |
| PTHO 6939 | Parish Administration | 3 |
| Spirituality Course ** | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 27 | |
| Systematic Theology | ||
| STHO 6022 | Graduate Research Seminar | 2 |
| STHO 6202 | Revelation and Faith | 3 |
| STHO 6203 | Christology | 3 |
| STHO 6204 | The Trinity | 3 |
| STHO 6205 | Christian Anthropology | 3 |
| STHO 6207 | Ecclesiology | 3 |
| STHO 6503 | Sacraments of Initiation | 3 |
| STHO 6501 | Worship of the Church | 3 |
| or STHO 6505 | Eucharist | |
| Subtotal | 23 | |
| Total Hours | 74 | |
- *
Students preparing for priestly ordination must select these courses. Students who are not preparing for priesthood must complete 27 credits of PTHO courses selected in light of ministerial needs, in consultation with their academic adviser.
- **
Selected in consultation with academic adviser.
II. Field Education and Theological Reflection
All students must complete the equivalent of 12 credits of pastoral field education accompanied by participation in a minimum of 10 sessions (two semesters) in a theological reflection group.
Students preparing for priestly ordination meet these requirements by taking PTHO 6500 Evangelization-Sanctification, PTHO 6501 Teaching, Catechist-Apologetic and PTHO 6939 Parish Administration (which, together with PTHO 6601 Pastoral Ministry - Intro make up a four-course pastoral sequence for priesthood). Students who are not preparing for priesthood, in consultation with the Office of the Associate Dean, can fulfill the requirements for pastoral field education and theological reflection in other ways, including:
- four semesters of supervised field education experience of six to eight hours weekly at an approved site;
- two such semesters and an internship of at least five days per week for at least six weeks; or
- clinical pastoral education.
ICSST must approve the proposed method of complying with the field education requirement.
III. Spiritual Formation
ICSST provides an integrated spiritual formation program for resident seminarians enrolled in the M.Div. program, based on the vision of St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis. The program includes: daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours; a weekly group formational program, which includes distinguished speakers; a structure of regular personal mentoring and spiritual direction; days of reflection and organized retreats; and participation in a Summer program of enhanced spiritual formation after I and III Theology, in conjunction with the International Institute for Clergy Formation (Seton Hall University) and the Institute for Priestly Formation (Creighton University). Resident students are regularly reviewed and assessed by the formation faculty. Non-resident seminarians usually participate in the formation programs of their own communities, though they are welcome to avail themselves of formational opportunities at ICSST as may be beneficial to them. Students who are not preparing for priesthood participate in the formation program outlined under Spiritual Formation of the M.A.P.M. degree program.
IV. M.Div. Comprehensive Projects
Students must demonstrate successful integration of theological knowledge with application to specific pastoral issues. Students preparing for priestly ordination fulfill this requirement through a series of written comprehensive projects, which are part of the four-course pastoral sequence for priesthood (PTHO 6500 Evangelization-Sanctification, PTHO 6501 Teaching, Catechist-Apologetic, PTHO 6601 Pastoral Ministry - Intro and PTHO 6939 Parish Administration). Students who are not preparing for priesthood fulfill this requirement through a seminar and M.Div. comprehensive project in consultation with the associate dean. Copies of the M.Div. project are submitted to the ICSST Library.
Apply to Seton Hall
Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Seton Hall has reached new heights in academic excellence, faculty research and student success. Ready to take the next steps on your academic or career path?
