St. Mary's Seminary is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the nation: rich in tradition while focused on priestly preparation for the 21st-century.
These pages provide information on the history, personnel, environment, and formation (in the Sulpician tradition) at St. Mary's.
The three pages in this section of our site touch on the very basics of the formation process.
A major part of priestly formation is intellectual formation, accomplished through the pursuit of academic degrees.
Desiring to assist in the strengthening of Hispanic ministry and recognizing the need for well-prepared priests dedicated in-part or in-full to this ministry, St. Mary’s Seminary and University has established a specialized track in Hispanic ministry.
St. Mary’s Propaedeutic Stage implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition). It takes place in a revitalized and expanded structure on the historic grounds of the original St. Mary’s Seminary in downtown Baltimore. The McGivney House welcomes candidates from all dioceses and is not limited to candidates destined to enter St. Mary’s Seminary & University, but is the recommended program for those who will come to St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 by St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. St. Mary’s is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
The Ecumenical Institute invites people of all denominations into theological study that pursues excellence and promotes ecumenical understanding and respect. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute has a rolling admissions policy. Students may apply at any time for admission by submitting the appropriate materials.
The Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological programs for two master’s degrees, several graduate certificates, and introductory explorations.
The post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology (CAS) is designed for individuals who possess a master’s degree in theology (e.g., MAT.), ministry (e.g., MACM), divinity (e.g., MDiv), or a related field and who desire to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study.
The Doctor of Ministry program roots ministry in the mission of God, the ways God is working in your context, in your ministry, and in you.
Students have a host of resources available to support their theological education, from free parking and a great library to writing assistance and advising.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological education that is intellectually rigorous, personally enriching, and professionally empowering.
Stay connected with St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute after graduation through alumni resources, newsletters, events, library access, discounted audit opportunities, EI apparel, diploma frames, and transcript request information.
General communication and individual contacts
It is the mission of the Center for Continuing Formation to encourage bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers to engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth and to enable processes of growth that are ongoing, complete, systemic, and personalized.
Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) for the final stage of preparation for the priesthood.
Conference space rentals include a large room that will seat as many as 58 and smaller rooms that will seat from 4 to 30.
St. Mary's Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops' new Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU.
For more information about any of our conference facilities or space rentals, please contact our offices directly.
The Marion Burk Knott Library of St. Mary’s Seminary and University is the largest specialized theological library in the Baltimore area, with additional materials in the areas of philosophy, psychology, pastoral counseling and church history, among others. The library receives over 390 periodicals and maintains a collection of 20,000 volumes of bound periodicals. Other holdings include newspapers, microfilm, and audio-visual materials.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University opened in the spring of 2002. Located on the campus of the nation’s first Roman Catholic seminary, this program brings together the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (est. 1789), St. Mary’s Seminary & University (est. 1791), and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States (U.S. Province est. 1903), making it one of the most significant repositories for records relating to the early history of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Click here for more information about hours and visitor policies.
This section was created to provide researchers with a brief description of the open collections in the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Mary's Seminary & University, and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University has developed a genealogical policy responsive to individuals researching their Catholic roots.
We facilitate personal integration of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions necessary for authentic priestly witness and service in the image of Jesus Christ.
Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, with the following degree programs approved: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Doctor of Ministry. Delivery system approved: Distance Education.
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada The Commission on Accreditation 10 Summit Park Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110 412-788-6505
If you wish to make a complaint to the above Accreditor please use the above contact information.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Middle States Commission on Higher Education 1007 North Orange Street 4th Floor, MB #166 Wilmington, DE 19801 https://www.msche.org/
St. Mary’s Seminary & University is committed to institution-wide outcomes assessment in order that the Institution may facilitate and support the “Educational Effectiveness” of St. Mary’s degree programs in service to its mission:
America’s first Catholic seminary, St. Mary’s Seminary & University continues its tradition of excellence since 1791 in preparing candidates for the Roman Catholic diocesan priesthood. Adhering to the Sulpician Tradition of priestly formation, taking place within a single community of formators and seminarians sharing one rule of life with strong mentoring relationships, we facilitate personal integration of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions necessary for authentic priestly witness and service in the image of Jesus Christ.
Through its Center for Continuing Formation and Ecumenical Institute, St. Mary’s also provides for advanced theological study, the ongoing formation of those in ministry, and a center of preparation for missionary discipleship.
Educational assessment takes place on a yearly basis through the guidance and under the direction of the Faculty Council, the Faculty Assessment Committee, and the Dean of the School of Theology and the Assessment Committee, the Faculty, and the Dean and Associate Dean of the Ecumenical Institute. Direct and indirect methods of assessment and appropriate measurement instruments have been developed, refined, and continually evaluated to assist in assessing student learning outcomes linked to specific goals and designated standards. Ongoing assessment of coursework, syllabi, and faculty; peer and faculty reviews; field education supervision evaluations; comprehensive exams, theses, final colloquium papers, or capstone project evaluations; exit and alumni interviews; as well as programmatic reviews, mark some of the methods utilized in assessing St. Mary’s educational effectiveness.
Beyond this serious commitment to assessing student learning outcomes is the commitment of the Institution and its divisions to ongoing assessment of its governance, leadership, personnel, resources, internal and external operations and services as a means to fulfill its mission and to resource its educational effectiveness.
The class of 2025 received an overall rating of 3.07 on a 4 point scale in achieving the goals of the Master of Divinity program.
Over the last six years, 50% of students enrolled have completed the degree and 33% are continuing study. The attrition rate has been 16.7%.
Over the last six years, 80% of students enrolled have completed the degree and 42.9% are continuing study. The attrition rate has been 20%.
Assessment of EI graduates on accomplishing degree goals in the 2025 Exit Survey. On a scale from 1-4, with 4 being proficient, results for all goals were:
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