We expect academic excellence from candidates with the view that they must thoroughly grasp the Church’s teaching as taught by the Magisterium. Our intellectual tradition is rigorous and guided by the goal of the pastoral life. The Mount takes a personalized approach to academic mentoring, providing an array of resources for both advanced students and those who may struggle to meet academic expectations.
The purpose of the intellectual formation program is that seminarians grasp the Catholic intellectual and liturgical tradition, are able to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Christ and to communicate the mystery of God to people today, and are equipped for the continuing pursuit of truth, PPF, 136-139.
This program embraces both degree and non-degree programs, all of which are supported by our Ordination Formation curriculum which serves as a base for intellectual priestly formation (PPF 191). Seminarians are expected to earn the Master of Divinity degree at the completion of the eight-semester formation program, and may also attempt one of our dual-degree options. A two-year Pre-Theology Formation certificate program is offered for those lacking the prerequisites for the graduate study of theology, during which students may earn the M.A.P.S. degree.
Eight-semester array of courses, formation seminars and workshops, practica and assessments, and pastoral field education requirements.
Two-year program for prerequisite philosophy and theology.
Offered at seminary and university.
A first professional graduate degree.
Candidates choose from four concentrations.
A first-level graduate ecclesial degree offered through affiliation with the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception.
Specific formation for priestly ministry to the growing Hispanic community in the USA.
An accredited support program for non-native English speakers.
Intellectual Formation is directed toward enabling and fostering the seminarian’s competence in philosophy and theology, that he might articulate credibly and intelligibly the Church’s faith, and proclaim and defend it in a way that reveals its inherent goodness, truth, and beauty. (Ratio Fundamentalis, 116). Intellectual Formation aims to form a man who:
Criteria:
Criteria:
Criteria:
Criteria:
To ensure academic achievement we offer an advanced technology infrastructure, writing specialists, student-to student tutoring, and a Learning Skills Department that can help identify and address learning challenges.
The Seminarian Handbook gives detailed information about Formation Advising, Academic Norms, MAPS procedures, Pastoral Formation, the SGA Constitution, etc.
The Rule of Life contains information regarding Spiritual and Liturgical life in the Seminary, as well as details on various Practices within the Seminary Community.
Learn more about this support program for our international seminarians.
Seminarians can make use of various resources offered by the University: Library, Learning Services, Information Technology
Learn more about such policies as Academic Integrity, Grading, and Transcripts/Grade Reports.
Find out how seminarian achievement is recognized through Academic Honors, as well as Memorial Awards and Prizes.