The goals of the program are as follows:

• Students will acquire an organic exposition of the whole of Catholic doctrine, together with an introduction to theological scientific methodology (Sapientia Christiana, 72);
• Students will obtain a solid, organic, and complete basic instruction in theology, which will enable them either to go on to the next cycle of higher studies or to exercise some office in the Church (Norms of Application for the Implementation of “Sapientia Christiana,” 52).

The admission requirements are as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college;
• 24 credits in philosophy
• 12 credits in undergraduate Judeo-Christian theology;
• A letter of recommendation from the student’s sponsor.
• 2 credits in New Testament Greek;
• 6 credits in Latin;
• dual degree candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 after two semesters of theology.

Click this link to view the degree and course requirements for the S.T.B. degree.

Each S.T.B. candidate is responsible for seeking an academic advisor from among the faculty of Saint Vincent Seminary.  The student obtains from the Academic Dean a copy of an agreement form that is signed by the faculty member and indicates that member’s willingness to serve as advisor.  It is the student’s responsibility to meet regularly with his faculty advisor to discuss the student’s progress in studies, seminar projects, research and preparation for comprehensive examinations.

Purpose of the Examination: The principal purpose of the written component of the S.T.B. examination is to test the candidate’s ability to articulate theological matters, especially as it concerns doctrinal formulation, scriptural basis, historical development and theological context.

The principal purpose of the oral component of the examination will be to test the candidate’s ability to order these materials towards a reasoned theological judgment or conclusion.

Structure of the Examination, Part One: A three-hour written examination in which the S.T.B. candidate will be asked to write on three areas, one each from the assigned areas of Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology and Moral Theology-Pastoral Studies.  In each area the candidate will be able to choose from three possible questions. Students are expected to provide thorough and exhaustive answers to each question.

Structure of the Examination, Part Two: The oral component consists of a forty-five minute examination.

The examination board for the oral examination consists of five individuals:

1. a representative of the Theological Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. who will preside over the oral examination board;
2. the Academic Dean;
3. a professor of Sacred Scripture;
4. a professor of Dogmatic or Fundamental Theology;
5. a professor of Moral Theology.

The oral component of the S.T.B. examination will be scheduled within two weeks of the written component. No student will be admitted to the oral examination without having passed the written examination.

During the oral component of the examination a complete set of study questions will be provided in the examination room for reference by both the examiners and the candidate.  A Bible will be provided for the oral examination. Note that questions on the oral examination will not be limited to the list of questions utilized for the written exam. These questions are intended as a study guide to prepare students to field a variety of theological questions from the three areas of examination.

Grading of the Examination: A percentage grade will be assigned for each part of the written exam in accord with the Seminary grading scale.  An 83% constitutes a passing grade on each section of the examination.

The average of the three areas of the written examination counts for 50% of the total grade. For the oral examination, each examiner will assign a grade evaluating only those questions of the examination which he/she presented. The average of the grades given by the five examiners in the oral examination counts for 50% of the total grade. The grades for both the oral and written examinations will be available from the Office of the Academic Dean. The final result of the examinations are recorded on the official transcript.

In case of failure in any part of either the written or the oral examination, the failed section can be repeated once.

The results of the S.T.B. comprehensives will be incorporated into the student’s cumulative G.P.A. for the S.T.B. course of studies according to the following formula:

• comprehensive exam - 25%
• course work - 75%

The results of the S.T.B. comprehensives do not affect the student’s G.P.A. for the M.Div. or M.A. degree programs.

The final results of the student’s S.T.B. grade point average will be recorded on the official transcript in the following way:

• Passed with highest honors, 96-100;
• Passed with high honors, 91-95;
• Passed with honors, 86-90;
• Passed satisfactorily, 83-85;
• Failed, 0-82