The goal of the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is to provide the academic grounding and pastoral skills necessary to minister as a Roman Catholic priest in a multicultural Church.
The Seminary and School of Theology confers the MDiv degree on students who successfully complete the three-and-a-half-year academic program. The curriculum incorporates classroom study and integrated field placements.
The student entering the program will spend seven semesters in approved course work. He will also participate in four August spiritual formation weeks, three January interterm sessions, one summer in a Clinical Pastoral Education program, and one summer pastoral internship.
Upon completion of the MDiv degree, the graduate should manifest the following qualities and abilities in the four areas of priestly formation:
Understands and communicates the biblical, historical, and doctrinal dimensions of Catholic belief and practice;
Communicates faithfully the social teaching of the Church for justice, peace and the integrity of human life;
Communicates a well-rounded appreciation for and practice of varied spiritual traditions;
Manifests a developing and balanced life of prayer;
Competently prepares for and delivers liturgical rites according to the norms of the Church;
Demonstrates preaching that is biblically and doctrinally informed;
Understands and delivers effective pastoral care and counseling;
Integrates knowledge and practice attentive to the contemporary context;
Presents as a mature, well-integrated public person;
Demonstrates promise as a pastoral leader.
Spirituality Week
45:501 Foundations of Priestly Spirituality I (1 credit hour)
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)
10:550 Fundamental Theology (3 credit hours)
12:515 Liturgical Theology (3 credit hours)
22:530 Pentateuch and Historical Books (3 credit hours)
30:520 Early Church History (3 credit hours)
40:511 History and Culture of the Church in the Americas (2 credit hours)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
January Interterm
44:501 Evangelization and Catechesis (2 credit hours)
Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
10:525 Theological Anthropology (3 credit hours)
12:525 Sacramental Theology and Sacraments of Initiation (3 credit hours)
24:520 Paul in Early Christianity (3 credit hours)
30:525 Medieval Church History (3 credit hours)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
Summer
54:527 Clinical Pastoral Education must be taken during the summer following Configuration Stage I or II.
The alternate summer is free for the optional summer Spanish Immersion Program.
Spirituality Week
45:502 Foundations of Priestly Spirituality II (1 credit hour)
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)
10:536 Christology and Mariology (3 credit hours)
15:530 Fundamental Moral Theology (3 credit hours)
24:500 Synoptic Gospels and Acts (3 credit hours)
30:530 Modern Church History (3 credit hours)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
January Interterm
Human and Pastoral Formation-Mexican American Catholic College
Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
10:500 Ecclesiology and Ecumenism (3 credit hours)
42:535 Foundations in Homiletics (3 credit hour)
43:525 Pastoral Care and Counseling (3 credit hours)
46:545 Canon Law I (3 credit hours)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
Summer
54:527 Clinical Pastoral Education must be taken during the summer following Configuration Stage I or II.
The alternate summer is free for the optional summer Spanish Immersion Program.
Spirituality Week
45:503 Varieties of Spirituality (1 credit hour)
Fall Semester (16 credit hours)
12:535 Sacrament of Marriage (3 credit hours)
12:550 Eucharist (3 credit hours)
42:540 Advanced Homiletics (3 credit hours)
46:550 Canon Law II (3 credit hours)
54:540 Advanced Homiletics Practicum (1 credit hour)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
January Interterm
30:500 Patristics (2 credit hours)
Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
10:540 Trinity (3 credit hours)
15:545 Catholic Social Ethics (3 credit hours)
20:540 Johannine Literature and Thought (2 credit hours)
22:546 Prophets and Poetry (3 credit hours)
54:500 Theological Reflection Seminar (1 credit hour)
54:550 Practicum in Homiletics/Liturgics I (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
Summer
54:650 Summer Pastoral Internship
Spirituality Week
45:504 Spiritual Leadership (1 credit hour)
Fall Semester (14 credit hours)
12:560 Sacrament of Reconciliation (2 credit hours)
15:551 Sexual and Medical Ethics (3 credit hours)
43:550 Ministry to Families (3 credit hours)
45:540 Sacrament of Holy Orders (3 credit hours)
54:555 Practicum in Homiletics/Liturgics II (1 credit hour)
Elective (2 credit hours)
Total: 113 credit hours