Bachelor in Sacred Theology

Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) degree is granted in affiliation with the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and is open to priestly formation candidates. The curriculum follows closely the Program of Priestly Formation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and successful completion of the requirements for the S.T.B. degree prepares a seminarian academically for priestly ordination in the Catholic Church. This four-year program consists of five major areas: sacred scripture, systematic theology, pastoral and spiritual theology, church history, and pastoral studies. The program consists of eight regular semesters.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college;
• 30 credits in philosophy (consult the Academic Dean for a list of acceptable courses)
• 12 credits in undergraduate theology;
• A letter of recommendation from the student’s sponsor;
• 2 credits in New Testament Greek;
• 6 credits in Latin.

Degree Requirements

• At least 120 credits as specified under “course requirements for the S.T.B. Program”;
• A one-credit course in research methodology;
• A grade point average of 3.0;
• A minimum of 60 credits taken at Saint Vincent Seminary;
• Written and oral comprehensive examinations.

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.

S.T.B. Curriculum

Sacred Scripture: 19 credit hours
SC 810 Pentateuch and Exegesis 4
SC 811 Wisdom Literature and Psalms 3
SC 812 Prophetic Literature 3
SC 815 Synoptic Gospels 3
SC 816 Writings of Saint Paul 3
SC 817 The Fourth Gospel 3

Systematic Theology: 41 credit hours
TH 820 Fundamental Theology 3
TH 821 Christian Anthropology and Grace 3
TH 832 Christology 3
TH 833 Trinity 3
TH 834 Ecclesiology 3
TH 835 Eucharist 3
TH 840 Fundamental Liturgy 2
TH 850 Principles of Moral Theology 3
TH 851 Catholic Biomedical Ethics 3
TH 852 Catholic Sexual Ethics 3
TH 853 Catholic Social Ethics 3
TH 864 Mariology 3
TH 865 Theology of Priesthood 3
TH 866 Sacraments 3

Pastoral and Spiritual Theology:
13 or 14 credit hours
PST 720 Worship and Ministry 2
PST 734 Introduction to Canon Law 3
PST 735 Canon Law and Sacraments 3
PST 750 Pastoral Theology 3
PST 710/MS 800 Diocesan Priestly/
Monastic Spirituality 2/3

Diocesan seminarians are required to take Diocesan Priestly Spirituality, a two-credit course; monastic seminarians are required to take Monastic Spirituality, a three-credit course.

Church History: 12 credit hours
HS 870 Patrology 3
HS 871 Middle Ages, Reformation, Reason 3
HS 872 Modern Church History 3
HS 873 Catholic Church in the U.S . 3

Seminars: 7 credit hours
Three seminars in Sacred Scripture, systematic theology, church history, monastic studies, or
spiritual or pastoral theology, at least one of
which must be an M.A. seminar.

Pastoral Studies: 26 credit hours
PA 712 Catechetics 2
PA 721 The Bible and Liturgy 3
PA 722 Homiletics I 3
PA 723 Homiletics II 3
PA 740 Deacon Prep Lab 2
PA 751 Pastoral Counseling I 3
PA 759 Parish Leadership and
Administration 3
PA 767 Priesthood Prep Lab 2
PA 785 Pastoral Counseling II 3
MU 710 Liturgical Music 2

Elective: 3/4

Total 120