The Pre-Theology Program is offered to prepare candidates for entry into the theologate. It is a coordinated program addressing five areas: human and spiritual growth, intellectual and pastoral formation, and community living (Program of Priestly Formation #210).

The academic component of their formation enables candidates to complete the philosophical and theological prerequisites for theological studies. A complete undergraduate liberal arts undergraduate program with a particularly strong undergraduate philosophy department is coordinated with the theologate and provides flexibility for students with widely divergent academic backgrounds. The following model curricula are proposed for a one-year or a two-year pre-theology program.

The two-year or "full" pre-theology curriculum is designed for candidates with no previous preparation for priesthood. The curriculum includes a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate philosophy including logic, ethics, the history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of knowledge, and the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Biblical Greek, as well as undergraduate Catholic theology and Latin, are scheduled. The full program provides a two-semester treatment of the recently published Catechism of the Catholic Church to help students acquire an adult level appreciation of their faith.

The one-year or "accelerated" pre-theology curriculum provides candidates with some previous preparation with up to 21 additional hours of philosophy including an introductory course on St. Thomas Aquinas. It also includes a two semester study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Students in a one year program take some of the first theology curriculum during the pre-theology year, and the more advanced philosophy (metaphysics and philosophy of knowledge) during their first theology year.

Ordination Curriculum

The Ordination Curriculum at Mount St. Mary's Seminary consists of eight semesters of course work and formation, after the usual pre-theology requirements are fulfilled. This program is designed to prepare students for ordained priestly ministry in the Catholic Church. The successful completion of this program is one indication of the candidate's preparation for the priesthood, not only in terms of the completion of the graduate academic requirements, but also in terms of an appreciation of, and a demonstrated ability in, the practical pastoral aspects of the life and ministry of a priest.

In the course of the Ordination Program, candidates may qualify for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree and the Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) degree (see below).

The Ordination Curriculum is integrated with a schedule of ministries. In general, Mount St. Mary's Seminary observes the following plan on the path to the priesthood upon the recommendation of the Rector in consultation with the faculty and the acceptance and approval by the seminarian's Ordinary:

• Lector Second Semester I Theology
• Acolyte Second Semester II Theology
• Candidacy First Semester III Theology
• Diaconate Second Semester III Theology

Master of Divinity (M.DIV.) Curriculum

Goals and Objectives
The Master of Divinity at Mount St. Mary's Seminary is a fully accredited professional ministerial degree. The program in support of this degree is directed primarily to candidates preparing for the ministry of priesthood in the Catholic Church, although it could also serve as a professional preparation for those preparing to serve the Church in other areas of ministry.

The reception of the degree is an indication of the candidate's preparation for the ministry, not only in terms of the successful completion of the graduate academic requirements, but also in terms of an appreciation of and a demonstrated ability in the practical aspects of the work of a church minister.

The Master of Divinity degree is conferred upon the priesthood ordination candidates at the completion of Fourth Theology.

Admission Requirements (M.Div.)

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited college.
• Completion of at least 24 credits in undergraduate philosophy
• OR participation in the Mount’s Pre-Theology Program (see above).

Admission Procedure (M.Div.)

• All Seminarians in Theology are automatically enrolled in the Master of Divinity degree program.
• All other students who meet admission requirements must declare their degree program upon application.

Degree Requirements (M.Div.)

The completion of no fewer than a total of 90 credits, including:

Canon Law	6 credit hours
Church History	12 credit hours
Liturgy and Pastoral Music	5 credit hours
Moral Theology	12 credit hours
Pastoral Theology	6 credit hours
Sacred Scripture	15 credit hours
Systematic Theology	15 credit hours

• Participation in theological reflection sessions during at least three semesters and completion of six semesters of supervised pastoral field education.
• Residency requirement of enrollment in a full graduate class load [a minimum of 12 credits hours and a maximum of 18 credits hours] for a minimum of two semesters.
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.

Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) Curriculum

Goals and objectives
The Master of Arts in Theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary is a fully accredited graduate academic degree. The program emphasizes the study of theology as a scientific discipline and requires competence in specialized areas of academic study and research as outlined below. The Seminary offers only one M.A. degree in theology but four areas of concentration: Church History, Moral Theology, Sacred Scripture, and Systematic Theology.

Admission Requirements (M.A.)

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited college.
• At least 18 undergraduate credits in philosophy.
• Successful completion of the following graduate courses with an average of at least 2.50 (or permission of the Academic Dean):
• LITY 501 Liturgical Tradition
• MORL 501 Fundamental Moral Theology I
• SCRP 501 Introduction to Biblical Studies
• SYST 501 Revelation and Theolog

For Priesthood Candidates only

• Approval from the sponsoring diocese to enter or withdraw from the M.A. Program.
• Admission Procedure (M.A.)
• Normally a seminarian enrolls in the Master of Arts in Theology Program when registering into first semester of III Theology.
• All other students who meet admission requirements must declare their degree program upon application.

Degree Requirements (M.A.)

• A minimum of thirty (30) graduate credit hours as specified by the area of concentration with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in those courses.
• The satisfactory completion of the modern language requirement; and the fundamental and the departmental comprehensive examinations.
• The writing of an approved research paper for which no grade or credits are given; or, the completion of an approved written thesis which is graded and awarded six (6) graduate credits.
• All requirements for the degree must be completed within five (5) years from the date of matriculation in the Master of Arts in Theology program. In special cases an extension may be granted, after review, by the Seminary Academic Dean. Students must register each semester with the Seminary Registrar to maintain their candidacy in the Master of Arts in Theology program until all of the requirements listed above have been successfully completed or the student withdraws from the program.

Language Requirements
Master of Arts in Theology Candidates must demonstrate reading proficiency in a modern language other than English (French, Italian, German, or Spanish). This requirement may be met by one of the following methods:

• Successful completion of two years of college level instruction (or its equivalent as judged by the Academic Dean)
• Successful completion of a language proficiency examination administered by the Seminary. Details for this examination are listed under "Academic Norms" in the Seminary Handbook
• Use of a modern foreign language in a significant research project with the appro val of the Academic Dean.
• Students who concentrate in Scripture are required to meet additional language requirements particular to their area of concentration.

Comprehensive Examinations
A two-part comprehensive examination is required of candidates for the degree of Master of Arts in Theology. The fundamental examination is regularly scheduled once each fall and the departmental examination once each spring. In exceptional cases, a special examination may also be scheduled with the Academic Dean for another time. Details about the comprehensive examination are listed under "Academic Norms" in the Seminary Handbook.

General Norms for Research Papers and Theses
Research papers, and theses should be written in the proper form and style. This is outlined under "Academic Norms" in the Seminary Handbook.