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Admissions

Formation Starts Here

Mount St. Mary's Seminary has trained over 2,600 men for a lifetime of priestly ministry within the church. All prospective applicants for admission must complete the appropriate admission application packet. Find what is required for you.

All applications should be submitted by July 1.

We welcome qualified graduate-level candidates sponsored by a diocese or religious order to apply to study as a seminarian in the Ordination/Master of Divinity program, and also offer a pre-theology program to prepare qualified undergraduate candidates for these programs. Lay students interested in our Master of Arts in Theology or Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree programs are welcome to apply, although it should be understood that these programs are built predominately out of courses in the Ordination program.

Seminarian Requirements

Applicants for the seminary ordination program are required to have sponsorship from a bishop or religious community, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and have completed 30 credits of undergraduate philosophy and 12 credits of undergraduate theology coursework. Applicants must complete and submit the following by July 1:

  • Seminary Application
  • Official Transcripts

    Complete the transcript request form and send all official transcripts from previous academic institution(s).

  • TOEFL Test Results

    Results from the TOEFL exam is only required if English is not your native language.

Seminarian Pre-Theology Program

Applicants preparing for the seminary ordination program are required to have sponsorship from a bishop or religious community, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or evidence of enough transferable credits to complete such a degree within the two-year pre-theology program. Applicants must complete and submit the following steps by July 1:

  • Seminary Application
  • Official Transcripts

    Complete the transcript request form and send all official transcripts from previous academic institution(s).

  • TOEFL Test Results

    Results from the TOEFL exam is only required if English is not your native language.

  • Other Official Documents

    Official copies of evaluations and votes from previous formation programs, house studies (if applicable);  official church certificates and copies of personal certificates or decrees, and a recent color photograph.

Non-Seminarian / Lay Students

Applicants for the non-seminarian degree program are required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate philosophy coursework and permission from the seminary academic dean. Applicants must complete and submit the following by July 1:

  • Seminary Application
  • Official Transcripts

    Complete the transcript request form and send all official transcripts from previous academic institution(s).

  • Letter of Recommendation

    The letter of recommendation should come from your pastor or dean.

Additional Application Specifications

International Students
Transfer Students

International Students

International students must be sponsored by a diocese or religious order prior to application to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. For applicants needing extra ESL instruction prior to beginning theological studies, Mount St. Mary's Seminary has an ESL program which is accredited by CEA and is now approved for issuing the form I-20 for full-time ESL study.  Applicants should contact the Seminary Registrar as soon as possible, if needing to:
  • Receive an initial I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 Non-Immigrant Student Visa (for either full-time ESL or for beginning theological studies)
  • Transfer their I-20/SEVIS record from another school within the United States
  • Change from a different visa status to an F-1 Student Visa
Please note that an I-20 will not be issued until the applicant has been accepted by the Seminary. Processing time for the F-1 Student Visa can vary so please submit Seminary admission application materials as soon as possible.  Consult the US Embassy/Consulate in your home country for further details.

Transfer Students

Transfer Credits

Candidates may apply to the academic dean for advanced class standing in a seminary program based upon the completion of coursework at accredited institution of graduate study and priestly formation
  • Approved graduate credits must have at least a grade of "C" (2.0) or above
  • No more than forty-five (45) semester credits may be transferred toward the Master of Divinity degree
  • No more than thirty (30) semester credits may be transferred toward the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree
  • No more than six (6) semester credits may be transferred towards the Master of Arts (Theology) degree
  • Transfer credits will not be given for thesis work

Non-Discrimination Statement

It is the policy of Mount St. Mary's not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex or handicapping condition in recruitment or admission of students, or in the administration of the Mount's educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, and other Mount administered activities and programs. It is the policy of Mount St. Mary's to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in making its programs and facilities accessible.