St. Mary's Seminary is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the nation: rich in tradition while focused on priestly preparation for the 21st-century.
These pages provide information on the history, personnel, environment, and formation (in the Sulpician tradition) at St. Mary's.
The three pages in this section of our site touch on the very basics of the formation process.
A major part of priestly formation is intellectual formation, accomplished through the pursuit of academic degrees.
Desiring to assist in the strengthening of Hispanic ministry and recognizing the need for well-prepared priests dedicated in-part or in-full to this ministry, St. Mary’s Seminary and University has established a specialized track in Hispanic ministry.
St. Mary’s Propaedeutic Stage implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition). It takes place in a revitalized and expanded structure on the historic grounds of the original St. Mary’s Seminary in downtown Baltimore. The McGivney House welcomes candidates from all dioceses and is not limited to candidates destined to enter St. Mary’s Seminary & University, but is the recommended program for those who will come to St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 by St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. St. Mary’s is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
The Ecumenical Institute invites people of all denominations into theological study that pursues excellence and promotes ecumenical understanding and respect. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute has a rolling admissions policy. Students may apply at any time for admission by submitting the appropriate materials.
The Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological programs for two master’s degrees, several graduate certificates, and introductory explorations.
The post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology (CAS) is designed for individuals who possess a master’s degree in theology (e.g., MAT.), ministry (e.g., MACM), divinity (e.g., MDiv), or a related field and who desire to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study.
The Doctor of Ministry program roots ministry in the mission of God, the ways God is working in your context, in your ministry, and in you.
Students have a host of resources available to support their theological education, from free parking and a great library to writing assistance and advising.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological education that is intellectually rigorous, personally enriching, and professionally empowering.
More than 750 alums of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute are making a difference in Baltimore, in Maryland and D.C., West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and around the world.
General communication and individual contacts
It is the mission of the Center for Continuing Formation to encourage bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers to engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth and to enable processes of growth that are ongoing, complete, systemic, and personalized.
Conference space rentals include a large room that will seat as many as 58 and smaller rooms that will seat from 4 to 30.
St. Mary's Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops' new Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU.
For more information about any of our conference facilities or space rentals, please contact our offices directly.
The Marion Burk Knott Library of St. Mary’s Seminary and University is the largest specialized theological library in the Baltimore area, with additional materials in the areas of philosophy, psychology, pastoral counseling and church history, among others. The library receives over 390 periodicals and maintains a collection of 20,000 volumes of bound periodicals. Other holdings include newspapers, microfilm, and audio-visual materials.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University opened in the spring of 2002. Located on the campus of the nation’s first Roman Catholic seminary, this program brings together the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (est. 1789), St. Mary’s Seminary & University (est. 1791), and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States (U.S. Province est. 1903), making it one of the most significant repositories for records relating to the early history of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Click here for more information about hours and visitor policies.
This section was created to provide researchers with a brief description of the open collections in the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Mary's Seminary & University, and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University has developed a genealogical policy responsive to individuals researching their Catholic roots.
We facilitate personal integration of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions necessary for authentic priestly witness and service in the image of Jesus Christ.
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Students admitted to a degree or certificate program (including C.A.S.) are program candidates. Program candidates lose their candidacy if they allow three terms, including summer, to pass without taking a course, unless they petition the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing for a leave of absence. A leave of absence may be granted for up to one year for a certificate (including C.A.S.) candidate and two years for a degree candidate. A student who takes a leave of absence must still complete the certificate or degree in the time period specified in the catalog unless he or she requests, and is granted, an extension due to extenuating circumstances.
If a leave of absence must be extended, it is the student’s responsibility to request the extension in writing from the Dean. Failure to return to classes at the end of one’s leave of absence ordinarily results in a loss of candidacy, unless the student has been in communication with the Dean or Associate Dean about his or her status. When a student loses candidacy, he or she must reapply for admission to the program and demonstrate commitment to its completion.
1. If a student has personal or academic concerns about any aspect of a course in which he or she is enrolled, the student should attempt to resolve the problem with the These concerns may be about course requirements, grades, necessary absences due to personal or business conflicts, or situations within the classroom. Most such concerns can be adequately addressed between the student and professor.
Any question concerning a final grade in a course or on a thesis must be resolved by the student and the professor within one month of the official notification of grades. Appeals beyond this are made first to the Dean (or to St. Mary’s Vice Rector if the professor in question is the Dean) and then to an appeals committee as described below. The decision of the appeals committee is final. A student who wishes to appeal the grade on a comprehensive exam must request the appointment of an appeals committee, as described below, within one month of the receipt of the disputed grade.
2. If, however, a student feels that an issue remains unresolved or cannot be appropriately discussed with the faculty member, he or she should discuss the problem with the Dean (or the Vice Rector if the professor in question is the Dean) as soon as possible and no later than one month after the conclusion of the term in which the concern emerged. If appropriate, the Dean (or Vice Rector) may ask the student to document the complaint in writing (no email) and/or to file a formal grievance. The Dean (or Vice Rector) will make every attempt to resolve the conflict through discussion with the student and/or professor and by other means as necessary and
3. If, after consultation among the student, professor, and Dean (or Vice Rector), a student believes that the situation remains unresolved, he or she may request (in writing with a signature [mail, fax, or scanned email attachment]) that the Dean (or Vice Rector) appoint an appeals or a grievance In this request, submission of a description of the issue in question or a formal written grievance is required. This written document must be submitted no later than one month following written notice from the Dean (or Vice Rector) of the status of the matter following consultation with the student and professor. The appeals or grievance committee shall consist of the following persons:
The committee, after hearing the testimony of both parties and after its own deliberation, presents its opinion based on a majority vote to the student and the faculty member. The decision of the committee is final.
Students who withdraw from a course are obligated to fulfill their financial obligations for the course. The schedule printed below lists the deadlines by which an official written and signed withdrawal notice (available online) must be received by the Registrar in order for the student to be eligible for the corresponding percent of reduction in tuition:
Any student who fails to withdraw officially or who is administratively withdrawn is not entitled to a reduction or refund.
A student may be administratively withdrawn from a course for failing to meet financial obligations, failing to meet minimum attendance requirements (including patterns of tardiness), or violating the Community-Life Agreement or the Community-Life Policies printed in the Student Handbook . Students who are administratively withdrawn receive no credit and no refund of monies paid. They are responsible for tuition costs, according to the schedule on the Payment Policies page, until the date of the administrative withdrawal.