Saint John’s Seminary is fully committed to the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of its academic programs. The rector, administration, and faculty continuously endeavor to offer effective programs in preparing candidates for ordained and lay ministry and participation in the life and work of the Catholic Church.
Over the past twenty years, Saint John’s Seminary has ordained over 236 men to the Roman Catholic priesthood. In September 2023, Saint John’s Seminary welcomed 89 new and returning seminarians into seminary formation from eight dioceses, three institutes of religious life, and one ecclesial movement.
The Master of Arts in Ministry program for the education and formation of lay, deacons and professed religious, completed its twentieth year in May 2021 and, with the 2024 graduating class, has awarded degrees to 245 men and women.
The Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization program, which began in 2011 for the education of lay, deacons and religious, has had 45 students successfully graduate from the program as of May 2024.
Pre-Theology Program
The Pre-Theology Program, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) or Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, (B.A., Phil.), provides a solid foundation for further seminary theological studies, as well as the opportunity for ongoing discernment of the vocation to the diocesan priesthood and/or religious life. In the past ten years, 84% of those entering the Pre-Theology program have completed it, and, of those, 89% have gone on to continued formation and study in the Theology Program.
Theology Program
The Theology Program, leading to the degree of Master of Divinity (M.Div.), is a coherent, comprehensive program for the formation of candidates to the priesthood. While studying for the Master of Divinity program, a civil graduate degree, most seminarians avail themselves of the opportunity to earn the Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), an ecclesial graduate degree. In the past ten years, 71% of those entering the Master of Divinity program at Saint John’s Seminary have completed it. While enrolled in these four-year degree programs, seminarians are also able to earn a Master of Arts in Theology M.A.(T.) degree. For the last ten years, 5% of seminarians who completed the Master of Divinity program concurrently completed the Master of Arts in Theology degree.
It is important to note that the graduation rates for degrees in both Pre-Theology and Theology signify the completion of academic as well as human, spiritual, and pastoral formation. Moreover, there are unique factors at a Catholic seminary, such as vocational discernment, which may significantly impact graduation rates.
The M.A.M. and M.T.S. Degree Programs of The Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary
Of those who graduated from the M.A.M. and M.T.S. programs in May 2023, all five graduates, or 100%, reported that they were working in their chosen area of ministry or field of employment.
