Degrees and Accreditation

The Seminary has been fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680) since 1921. It is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (10 Summit Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15275-1103).

On November 24, 1999, the Seminary was affiliated with the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and authorized to grant the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree. This affiliation was renewed on July 25, 2005.

The Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts degree programs are open to qualified diocesan, religious, and lay students. The Bachelor of Sacred Theology program is open to qualified priesthood candidates. Lay students and permanent diaconate candidates will find the specific admission requirements for degree programs under each degree. Priesthood candidates should see “Formation for the Priesthood” (page 14) for admission requirements unique to them.
Persons considering application to the Seminary are encouraged to come to the campus and experience firsthand the environment and the spirit of Saint Vincent Seminary.
Students for whom English is a second language are required to submit scores from a recent TOEFL examination, unless they have completed an undergraduate degree in an English language faculty. The Seminary accepts students who have a score of 550 on the paper examination and 213 on the computer examination. If anyone does not meet this requirement, they may wish to register for ESL (English as a Second Language) courses through the Seminary to prepare for entrance into the degree program of choice. Please see Courses of Instruction (page 39).
The Admissions Committee of the Seminary grants applicants acceptance into one or more of the Seminary degree programs. The Academic Dean notifies applicants of the decision of the Admissions Committee soon after receiving all required documents. Please address all correspondence to the Academic Dean.

Dual Degree Candidacy

Priesthood candidates have the opportunity to earn two degrees by the end of the priestly formation program. Dual degree candidacy may include any combination of two of the three degrees offered by Saint Vincent Seminary: Master of Divinity, Bachelor in Sacred Theology, and Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, or Monastic Studies. In order to maintain the integrity of each degree program, candidates must complete degree requirements for each degree, including comprehensive exams for each program where applicable. In addition, they must hold a G.P.A. of at least 3.25. Interested persons should contact the Academic Dean.

M.A. - M.Div.
After one semester of successful studies in the Seminary, Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students may request admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program.
Master of Divinity students who apply for dual degree status must meet the admission requirements for the M.A. degree and obtain a letter of recommendation from their sponsors.
Dual degree students must complete all requirements for each degree. Students normally complete the requirements for the M.A. degree first, after the third year of study or in their first semester of the fourth year. Students normally complete the requirements for the M.Div. by the end of the fourth year of study.

M. Div. - S.T.B.
After one semester of successful studies in the Seminary, priesthood candidates who are pursuing the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree may request admission to the Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) degree program.
Priesthood candidates who wish to apply for dual degree status must meet the admission requirements for the S.T.B. degree.
Dual degree students must complete all requirements for each degree. Students normally receive both degrees at the end of their fourth year of study.

M.A. - S.T.B.
After two semesters of successful studies in the Seminary, priesthood candidates who are pursuing the M.A. degree may request admission to the S.T.B. degree. These students must fulfill the admission requirements for the S.T. B. degree.
These dual degree students must complete all requirements for each degree, including taking separate comprehensive examinations. Students normally complete the M.A. requirements first, either at the end of their third year of study or in their first semester of the fourth year. The S.T.B. is awarded after the fourth year of study.

Memberships

Saint Vincent Seminary holds membership in the National Catholic Education Association, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the National Catholic Development Conference.

Cooperative Higher Education Project
Diocese of Harrisburg—Saint Vincent College Corporation

Together, Saint Vincent Seminary and the Diocese of Harrisburg work to enhance Catholic higher education in Central Pennsylvania. The Seminary offers courses each summer at the Diocesan Institute in Harrisburg. These courses provide certification for religious educators and enrichment to participants as part of the Cooperative Higher Education Project. A coordinator from the Diocese of Harrisburg and one from Saint Vincent Seminary jointly plan, monitor, and evaluate the project.