Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Preparing students for varied ministries, the Master of Divinity provides general theological education in the Roman Catholic tradition and professional skills that they will need to serve in ministry. Students in the M.Div. program learn to attend to the needs of the Church and promote social change in a manner that contributes to the common good.

What kind of skills will I acquire?
We expect graduates to:

• understand and discuss the meaning of Scriptures and the theological tradition of the Roman Catholic community
• communicate the Christian message by preaching and teaching
• minister in collaborative and ecumenical environments
• lead any planning for public worship and the celebration of the sacraments
• aid people experiencing personal or religious crisis

Does the program train candidates for ordination to the priesthood?
Yes, it fulfills “The Program of Priestly Formation” guidelines set forth by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The spiritual formation of candidates and the exact requirements for ordination remain the responsibility of each candidate’s sponsoring religious body. These students usually obtain a Master of Divinity degree as part of their preparation for ordination.

Can a lay Catholic apply for the M.Div. degree?
Increasingly, laity are being called to serve in pastoral leadership roles. The M.Div. is the comprehensive professional preparation for a career in ministry. To apply, follow the instructions contained in the Application for Admission. If you have any questions about downloading the application, read About PDF. A personal interview may also be advised.

Program Content
The 90 hours of course work required for the M.Div. degree are distributed as follows:

Fr. Arthur Cavitt (M.Div., 2002) preaches at St. Alphonsus Ligouri Parish in St. Louis. Fr. Arthur is the minister of evangelization and spiritual advisor for the St. Charles Lwanga Center.

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