Master of Divinity – MDiv.
Welcome to the MDiv. Program
Master of Divinity Degree Program & Certificate of Preparation for Ordination
The following course of studies represents what HACS resident seminarians take to fulfill the Program for Priestly Formation’s philosophy requirements for a pre-theologian. Taking these courses does not guarantee that they will meet the requirements of another seminary. This judgment is to be made by the sponsoring Ordinary and seminary.
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a professional degree designed for men preparing to be ordained to the Catholic Priesthood or permanent Diaconate. Successful completion of the Master of Divinity program attests to the recipient’s competency for exercising priestly ministry gained from a thorough grounding in Sacred Scripture, Dogmatic and Moral Theology, Spiritual and Pastoral Theology, Canon Law, Liturgy, Homiletics and Church History.
Some students who apply at a later age and do not have a Bachelor’s degree may, with the permission of their diocese or religious society, earn a Certificate of Preparation for Ordination for the Priesthood upon the satisfactory completion of four years of theology. All requirements for those in the certificate program are the same as those in the M.Div. program, including the philosophy pre-requisites.
Candidates for the M.Div. degree must achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
Admissions to MDiv. Program
Applicants for the M.Div. program should follow the Seminary Division Admissions Procedures.
Applicants for the M.Div. program must have a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university and 24 credits in 8 pre-requisite philosophy courses as given in the Theology program requirements described elsewhere in this catalog.
In cases where an applicant has been a seminarian in another accredited theologate, 60 graduate credits with at least a “C” grade may be transferred toward the M.Div. degree.
MDiv. Coursework
Degree Requirements
The theological program consists of 120 credits, of which 96 credits are applied to the M.Div. Degree. The program is consistent with the norms of the Program for Priestly Formation of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Electives include but are not limited to: Theology of the Body and the Recent Magisterium, Catechetics, Philosophy for Theologians, Documents of Vatican II, Catholic Bioethics.
MDiv Degree Plan
Master of Arts in Theology for Seminarians
With the permission of the Faculty Senate, and his ecclesiastical or religious superior, an exceptional student may be allowed to earn a Master of Arts degree in theology, in conjunction with the M.Div. degree.
The Master of Arts degree in Theology requires 36 semester hours of graduate course work beyond the M.Div. requirements. A student who plans to pursue more advanced graduate work in the future may elect write a Master’s Thesis or develop a Special Project. The Master’s Thesis and Special Project may be done for program credit. All students must complete four core courses and complete a summative evaluation.
The degree concentration may be in one of the following areas: Apologetics, Bioethics, Church History, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, or Sacred Scripture.
Students in the Seminary Program should consult the Academic Calendar for registration dates.
Seminary Information Request Form
NEWS
From Wall Street to the Priesthood
Very Reverend Daniel Reehil, V.F., is the Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in the Nashville area and has a fascinating story about his journey to the priesthood. As a Wall Street banker in Manhattan in the 1990s, he was invited to take a trip to Medjugorje in...
Community Gathering
On Thursday, October 12, we gathered in our chapel for the Mass to celebrate Blessed Carlo Acutis on his feast day and as a reminder of the passion, powerful mystery, and gift that receiving the Eucharist is for us all. A plaque was placed in the chapel to honor...
Holy Apostles Alumnus Elected Provincial Superior
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2023 Congratulations to the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, on the news that he is the newly elected Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United...