Transfer of Credits and Policies Regarding Previous Academic Work

St. Mary’s admits seminarians at least 30 years of age who do not possess an undergraduate degree but do possess transferable undergraduate credits. They complete the entire academic program envisioned by the Program of Priestly Formation, and typically within six years completes both undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts in either Theology or Humanities) and graduate (Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Theology) degrees.

Specific Policies Regarding Transfer Credits

 The Dean of the School of Theology and the University Registrar carefully assess the academic transcripts of each candidate, to ascertain the appropriate academic placement of students, and to guide any further courses of study necessary in preparation for theological study. In its review of transcripts, the Dean and Registrar are guided by the following policies:

1.      No grade below C is accepted as fulfilling any of the requirements for the Program of Priestly Formation.

2.      Graduate theological courses earned at other institutions are scrutinized for content.

3.      No undergraduate theology or religious studies courses are accepted as graduate theological courses.

4.      If a candidate’s previous course of studies is highly technical in nature, admission is conditional upon the completion of an undergraduate liberal arts core, including Humanities, Western Civilization, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and Pastoral Communications (Speech).

5.      Religious Studies courses are accepted in fulfillment of Program of Priestly Formation requirements as long as they treat an introduction to Scripture and the dogmatic and moral sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

6.      The acceptance of philosophy credits taken at non-Catholic colleges is judged on a case-by-case basis.

7.      The fulfillment of the Program of Priestly Formation Philosophy requirements of 24 credits is judged complete if those credits treat the following specific issues: Logic, Philosophical Anthropology, Philosophical Ethics, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Natural Theology, and a complete History of Philosophy.