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.
More than 750 alums of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute are making a difference in Baltimore, in Maryland and D.C., West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and around the world.
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.
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 to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study. (All qualified graduates of St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, regardless of degree or year of graduation, may apply.)
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 to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study. Students choose either the general track or the research track.
The 30-credit (10-course) program is composed of master’s courses augmented to a CAS-level, and one or more advanced courses specific to this program. It can be taken full- or part-time. With permission, students may take up to nine credits (3 courses) in St. Mary’s School of Theology. Tuition is the same as for the master’s program.
The CAS program requires ten courses, including at least one colloquium or seminar, and the requisite capstone course(s) for the chosen track. In consultation with the CAS Director or (for students in the Research Track) advisor, students construct their own curriculum following the program guidelines (and avoiding duplication of previous graduate work).
Students in the general track may take courses in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies (moral, systematic, and historical studies), or may focus on a specific academic area as an informal specialization. One course must be a seminar or colloquium, and students may take up to two approved independent studies. Students focusing on Biblical Studies (OT, NT, or both) may take beginning biblical language courses (up to twelve credits for students without advanced standing, six credits for students with advanced standing). The General Track capstone course, taken at the end of the program, is TH790 CAS Directed Reading. The course consists of guided reading (approximately 1,500–2,000 pages) on a topic approved by the CAS Director, together with appropriate writing projects, normally three–five critical reviews and a final paper analyzing and synthesizing the materials in the readings. (Note: Tuition for this course or an independent study is 50% higher than regular tuition.)
Students with demonstrated advanced research skills, whose primary interest is in theological research, whether simply as the focus of the CAS program or in preparation for doctoral studies, may pursue the research track. Students in the research track may specialize in a particular academic area, approved by the CAS Director, or follow a more interdisciplinary program. Areas for specialization include Biblical Studies (NT, OT, or both) and Theological Studies (moral, systematic, or both). In consultation with the Director of the CAS, students choose an advisor who guides course selection throughout the program. One course must be a seminar or colloquium, and students may take up to one two approved independent studies. Students focusing on Biblical Studies (OT, NT, or both) may take beginning biblical language courses (up to twelve credits for students without advanced standing, six credits for students with advanced standing) as well as advanced biblical language courses.
There are two options for the Research Track capstone. The first option is to take two courses of guided research (TH791 and TH792), each focused on the preparation of a substantive paper or other final project. The subject of the two research projects may be related, though they do not have to be. The second option is a thesis consisting of two courses and resulting in a thesis of approximately 75 pages or 30,000 words. (Note: Tuition for the research courses and the thesis is 50% higher than regular tuition.)
The learning goals of the CAS depend on the track selected:
All course work must normally be completed within five years from the date of the first course taken toward the CAS (excepting advanced-standing credits). A final GPA of 3.00 is required.
With the exception of biblical language courses (which are always 600 level), CAS courses are always taken at the 700 level. Typically, a CAS student selects one of the 600-level BIBL and THEO courses on offer, but registers using a 700-level code provided by the Registrar. When course instructors see the CAS student’s 700-level registration, they know to “scale up” assignments for the CAS student appropriately, by adding 200–300 pages of reading, and by either adding an additional evaluative instrument (typically written) or by substantially increasing an existing assignment (e.g. lengthening a final paper). There are also several kinds of regular 700-level courses available to CAS students at certain points in the program: CAS directed reading courses, CAS guided research projects, the CAS thesis, and the MAT Colloquium. All but the last option (the Colloquium) are subject to approval by the CAS Director. CAS students may take the Colloquium more than one time.
The CAS allowed me to both broaden some of my experience in areas of particular interest and continue to be guided by extraordinary faculty. Nathanael Briggs, CAS ’22