
Academic formation
initiates a lifelong search for a deeper understanding of the divine
mysteries, an understanding that enriches the faith not only of the
priest, but of the community he or she serves.
A critical knowledge of
Catholic teaching and tradition is the foundation upon which all
theological study and pastoral ministry are based. In addition,
priests must be able to relate the intellectual heritage of Catholic
teaching and tradition to the concrete situations of the people they are
serving.
This requires our
students studying systematic theology to grasp the meaning of faith,
dogmatic theology to connect with the tradition's theological sources,
and moral theology to wrestle with the complexities of conscience
formation and decision-making.
Priests represent the
Church to the particular communities they are sent to serve. Thus,
they must be effective preachers and teachers, be skilled in the various
techniques and theories of pastoral care and counseling, possess an
understanding of leadership theory and practice, and be sensitive to the
catechetical concerns present within their communities.
The Masters
of Divinity Degree
The goal of the Masters
of Divinity degree is to provide the academic grounding and pastoral
skills necessary to minister as a Catholic priest in a multicultural and
diverse Church setting.
Saint John the
Evangelist Seminary confers the Masters of Divinity degree on students
who successfully their academic program.
Upon completion of
their Masters of Divinity Degree, graduates of Saint John the Evangelist
Seminary will manifest the following qualities and abilities in the four
areas of priestly formation: Intellectual Formation, Spiritual
Formation, Pastoral Formation and Personal Formation.
Requirements for the Masters of Divinity
The Masters
of Divinity Certificate
Candidates without a
Baccalaureate Degree are eligible to earn a Masters of Divinity
Certificate upon completion of the requirements established for the
Masters of Divinity Degree.
The Deaconate
Studies Certificate
The Academic Formation
Program for candidates to the Permanent Deaconate.
Requirement for the Deaconate Studies Certificate
The Masters
of Theological Studies Degree
The Masters of
Theological Studies degree combines the perquisites for the Masters of
Divinity degree with the additional opportunity for the student to
engage in a broader and deeper field of theological studies.
Many students pursue
the Masters of Theological Studies degree as part of their preparation
for future application for their Doctorate of Ministry degree.
Others may choose this degree out of intellectual curiosity, or to
enrich their work lives by drawing connections between theology and
previous course work or professional experience.
Requirements for the Masters of Theological Studies Degree
The Doctorate
of Ministry Degree
The Doctorate of
Ministry degree is a program of study designed as a post-Masters level
course of study for those desiring to expand their knowledge and develop
their leadership abilities.
The Doctorate of
Ministry degree is a program that aims at reviving, engaging, growing
and equipping church leaders to lead with increasing theological depth
and leadership intelligence through specific areas of academic
concentration.
This program creates
formative spaces where colleagues can discuss and learn from their
hopes, hurts, questions and dreams that have accumulated along their
ministerial journey. This program invites conversations around
current events, trends and issues, while also bringing relevant
biblical, historical and practical perspectives to bear on the ministry
implications.
Our Doctorate of
Ministry program cultivates sustainable capacities among participants
within a formative environment characterized by three goals:
-
Integrate
theoretical and theological concepts into areas of expertise.
-
Contributes
knowledge and skills that support mission-focused ministry.
-
Exegete ministry
contexts as well as Scripture and theological assumptions.
Requirements for the Doctorate of Ministry Degree

Saint John the Evangelist Seminary
An Online Academic Program