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.
The regular registration period for current students is November 2 through November 13, 2026. Beginning November 14, a $90 late-registration fee will go into effect for current students. (The late fee does not apply to new students, auditors, or to students returning after 3+ years.)
Spring courses run from 1/11/27 through 5/10/27. See our EI Calendar/Year at a Glance for details.
*All classes, except where noted, will be available as dual synchronous access courses. Students can opt to attend either in person or online (via Zoom), and will choose their primary mode of attendance at registration.
PR = Prerequisite; CR = Co-requisite
BIBL500 Introduction to Biblical Studies Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Katherine Brown An introduction to academic biblical studies, with attention to the nature and development of biblical literature, tools for research, and methods of interpretation (exegesis). This course is a pre- or co-requisite for most other courses in biblical studies. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly BS600. Students who have successfully completed BS600 will not receive credit for this course.) PR = None. Full course description coming soon
BIBL502 New Testament Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Jennifer McNeel An exploration of the New Testament in its historical and social settings, focusing on the unique purpose and theology of each writing, with attention to the origins of the New Testament canon. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly BS622. Students who have successfully completed BS622 will not receive credit for this course.) PR/CR = BIBL500. Full course description coming soon
BIBL612 Biblical Hebrew II (online only) Mondays 7 – 8:30 p.m., and Wednesdays 7 – 8 p.m. Fr. Paul Maillet A continuation of BIBL611 Biblical Hebrew I. Full course description coming soon
MNST510 Spiritual Formation I, MNST511 Spiritual Formation II, MNST512 Spiritual Formation III The first, second, and third of three modules of required experiential learning. These 1-credit modules are guided learning experiences that integrate deepened spiritual practice with ministerial identity. They are sequential and should be taken in three successive semesters unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Required: MACM. MAT students may take as electives. These courses are offered on a pass/fail basis only. Full Course Description
MNST520 Mentored Ministry MACM students are required to do three credits of mentored field practica during their coursework, typically as 1-credit placements taken in successive semesters beginning, during or immediately following MNST500 Introduction to Ministry. Each practicum experience entails 30 hours onsite. (In exceptional circumstances, a student may do more than one credit in the same semester, with requisite increase in onsite hours.) Practica will be related to a student’s area of interest in ministry and are intended to assist a student’s growth in hands-on ministry, providing insight into his or her existing ministerial skills and areas for growth. There are no reading requirements. Students develop a learning contract, keep an activity log, meet regularly with a field mentor, complete a mid- and final evaluation, and write a 4-5 page reflection paper. The student meets once with the academic instructor. Required: MACM. PR/CR = MNST500
MNST652 What People Believe Matters: World Religions’ Views on Health and Illness (2 credits) April 15 and April 17; May 20 and May 22 (6-9 p.m. Thursday evening and 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday) Dr. Pat Fosarelli Students will identify the beliefs, prayers, and rituals surrounding illness and dying in major world religions, noting similarities and differences between those of Christianity and of non‐Christian traditions, and the spiritual practices that each religion encourages for health and flourishing, becoming competent to recognize the importance of these beliefs and practices, and to respond to them with humility, openness, and hospitality.
STL______ Revelation as Theology, Politics, and Liturgy Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Dr. Michael J. Gorman This seminar for STL and CAS students, as well as advanced MDiv and MA students with the instructor’s permission, will consider the New Testament book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) as a work of Christian theology, politics, and liturgy (worship). The seminar will focus on these three aspects of Revelation for both the first-century churches and the contemporary church, with some attention to the history of reception. Requirements include significant reading, one–three short papers to present to the seminar, and a final paper of 20 pages (STL, CAS) or 12 pages (MA, MDiv). Full course description coming soon
THEO503 Christian Ethics (online only) Mondays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Dan Bell An introduction to Christian ethics, including its historical, theological, and philosophical foundations, major contemporary approaches, and applied issues. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly MT600. Students who have successfully completed MT600 will not receive credit for this course.) PR = THEO500. Full course description coming soon
THEO654 Medicine and Morality: The Shape of Curing and Caring in The Christian Tradition (3 credits) January 22-23, February 19-20, and March 19-20, 2027 (6-9 p.m. Friday evening and 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Saturday) Dr. Joel Shuman An exploration of how the Christian moral tradition has understood the “good of the body” (i.e. health) and subsequently influenced the historical practice of so-called “western” medicine, in order to become competent to evaluate the moral conflicts that often arise between the Christian tradition and modern medical practice. (Formerly TH654. Students who have successfully completed TH654 or TH854 will not receive credit for this course.) Full course description coming soon
THEO799 Colloquium: Hospitality Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Rabbi Nina Cardin and Dr. Arthur Sutherland This course works toward articulating the nature and value of sacred hospitality, broadly defined, in contrast to the modern cultural and societal norms of hospitality. We will explore this question as seen through the lens of Judaism and Christianity and the interplay between the two. Students will develop an understanding of what constitutes hospitality in these traditions and how to achieve it in their own lives and communities. (Permission required for students who have not completed their THEO requirements.) Full course description coming soon
DM816 Leading Leaders (D.Min. students only) January 21–22, February 25–26, March 18–19, April 15–16 Thursday, 6 – 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Dr. Jason Poling Most ministry involves the exercise of leadership in some capacity. This course prepares students to meet the leadership challenges they are increasingly likely to encounter as their ministry matures. Instruction includes extended times of interaction with senior leaders from diverse denominational and ministry contexts. Full course description coming soon