On Campus
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Shape your ministry and leadership through Franciscan theology
Who is the MDiv Degree For?
The Master of Divinity at FST is ideally suited for those drawn to the teachings and charism of St. Francis of Assisi. Required for anyone who wishes to become ordained in the Church, lay persons who wish to develop their ministerial skills alongside seminarians in a world-class academic environment are also welcome. MDiv applicants range from recent undergraduates to established professionals. Applicants with an academic background in philosophy or religious studies will feel most prepared for the coursework.
MDiv Program Requirements
To successfully earn their degree, MDiv students must:
- Complete 72 semester units as described in the academic catalog, of which a maximum of 18 may be taken at the University of San Diego’s graduate schools.
- Engage in all field education requirements
- Maintain an overall 3.0 grade point average in all required and elective courses
- Be enrolled in the school for at least six semesters to fulfill the 3-year full-time tuition residency requirement
- Complete all work within six years of the first semester of enrollment
Special Requirements for Admission
Applicants to the MDiv program are required to have nine undergraduate semester credit hours in philosophical topics; for example, history of philosophy, ethics, systematic philosophy, etc. Candidates who wish to pursue the MDiv degree but do not meet this criterion should contact the Admissions office at admissions@fst.edu.
Ordination candidates must also present:
- A letter of approval from their ordinary or religious superior
- A certificate of completion issued by the applicant’s ordinary or religious superior stating that the applicant has taken a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of undergraduate philosophy or its equivalent as prescribed by the USCCB Program for Priestly Formation
Discover the Franciscan Difference
The Franciscan School of Theology embodies Franciscan theology in a diverse world, offering an optimistic, Christ-centered perspective. We integrate pastoral and academic learning, nurturing both mind and heart, and, in partnership with the University of San Diego, share a commitment to Catholic identity, academic excellence, social change, and global awareness. On-campus students benefit from small class sizes, experienced faculty, a supportive community, career-focused education, and access to USD resources.
MDiv Curriculum
The MDiv curriculum offers a foundation in Roman Catholic theology and pastoral ministry through the lens of Saint Francis of Assisi. Students study Scripture and theology and learn skills to succeed in ministerial settings.
Featured Courses
Program Faculty
Students of the MDiv program study with renowned scholars whose teachings are drawn from lives of active service in parishes, schools, and community involvement. With a small student-teacher ratio, every student gets access to a wealth of knowledge and lived experiences.
Biography
| Name: | Angela Zautcke, PhD |
| Specialization: | Sacred Scripture |
| Email: | angelazautcke@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619-574-5815 |
Angela Zautcke, PhD, a San Diego native and Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture at the Franciscan School of Theology. She received her doctorate in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity. While at Notre Dame, Dr. Zautcke received the Notebaert Fellowship, the university’s premiere fellowship for doctoral students. She was also awarded the Catholic Biblical Association’s Emerging Scholars Fellowship in 2023. Dr. Zautcke’s research focuses on the study of the New Testament within the context of Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. Dr. Zautcke also earned a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from the Franciscan School of Theology.
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Theology – University of Notre Dame
- MTS – University of Notre Dame
- MTS – Franciscan School of Theology
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy – University of San Diego
- BA in English Literature – University of Southern California
Courses
Introduction to Old Testament
After a brief introduction to the Bible as a whole and various approaches to it, this course seeks to present an overview of the Old Testament by studying its main literary works, theological traditions, and the historical contexts in which they grew. The primary focus is on theology and spirituality.
Old Testament Wisdom Literature
This course is a survey of the wisdom material of the Bible, focusing on the Old Testament. We will explore themes of Wisdom theology in the wisdom books and in other types of literature in the OT. With these themes in mind, the course also discusses how Wisdom theology appears in some works in the New Testament.
Luke-Acts
This course is a study of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. The course explores these documents from a literary and historical perspective. To this end, the course examines the historical, cultural, and geographical setting of the gospel and Acts as well as its authorship, audience, literary techniques and characteristics, theology and important themes. The course also compares the purpose, themes and orientation of Luke’s Gospel with the other synoptic gospels and compare Acts with other contemporaneous Greco-Roman literature.
Letters of St. Paul
This class introduces students to the Pauline epistles. Students will study the letters within the context of the Greco-Roman world and first-century Judaism to gain a better understanding of their theological message both for their original audience and today.
Psalms
This class introduces students to the language and literary form of the psalms. Students study the psalms in light of Old Testament theology, the canon of Scripture, communal worship and prayer.
Publications
- Book review of Literary Theory and the New Testament, by Mical Beth Dinkler, Ancient Jew Review, 6 December 2022.
- Co-Editor with Mark Elliott and Raleigh C. Heth, Studies in the History of Exegesis (Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2022).
- “Erasing the Gospels: Sinaiticus Syriacus and Patterns among Syriac Gospel Palimpsests,”Early Christianity 12 (2021): 85-102.
- Contributing author to Christopher Baron, ed. The Herodotus Encyclopedia, (Hoboken: Wiley, 2021).
Academic Awards
- Notebaert Fellowship – University of Notre Dame
- Dean’s Fellowship – University of Notre Dame
- Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship – Franciscan School of Theology
- Dean’s Scholarship – University of Southern California
Biography
| Name: | Yongho Francis Lee, OFM |
| Specialization: | Systematic and Comparative Theology. |
| Email: | yongholee@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619-574-5800 |
“My study of Buddhism definitely shed new light on my understanding of Christianity and even of Franciscan spirituality. It also brought me home, but the home I found is not only the Christian tradition but also the Buddhist. The journey to Buddhism is a way to my new home, where my adopted home, the Christian tradition, is now renewed and merged with my old home, the Buddhist tradition.” Yongho Francis Lee, OFM—Becoming a Christian and Practicing Comparative Theology for a Korean Theologian.
Yongho Francis Lee, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the Korean Province, is Assistant Professor of Systematic and Comparative Theology at the Franciscan School of Theology, where he joined the faculty in January 2024 after four years of teaching at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome.
He received his academic training at Boston College for Licenticate in Sacred Theology and the University of Notre Dame for PhD. His research focuses on the Church’s engagement with cultural and religious diversity, particularly the dynamic interactions between Eastern and Western religious traditions. He has a special interest in the dialogue between Buddhism and Franciscanism, as exemplified in his book, Mysticism and Intellect in Medieval Christianity and Buddhism: Ascent and Awakening in Bonaventure and Chinul, as well as in several journal articles. Through studying, living, and teaching in various countries, he has developed a strong commitment to intercultural learning and living. In addition to his work in intercultural and interreligious theology, he has developed an interest in the visual representation of Franciscan spiritual and theological concepts, examining their historical development and cross-cultural adaptation. His current research includes a study of the fresco cycle in the Luke Wadding Cloister at Saint Isidore College, Rome, and the Franciscan Allegory in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Theology, University of Notre Dame
- Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
- Bachelor in Theology, Catholic University of Korea
- Master in Science, Seoul National University
- Bachelor in Science, Seoul National University
Courses
Intercultural Theology
In contemporary theological discourse, scholars increasingly recognize the pivotal role of culture in shaping both theology and the Church. This course delves into the intricate interconnections between culture, the Church, theological frameworks, and the dissemination of Gospel messages. It provides an overview of mission history and diverse approaches to mission, while critically examining the significance of local cultural and religious contexts in the evolution of local theologies.
Theology, Church and World: An Introduction to Theology
An introductory course in theology which will discuss sources, methodology, relationship to the world, and an understanding of the Catholic magisterium. This course is intended for first-year theology students.
Franciscan Christology
This foundational course in Christology examines the historical development of Christological thought, from the biblical understanding of the identity of Jesus Christ to modern efforts to interpret his life and teachings in diverse contexts. The course also highlights the distinctive contributions of Franciscan thinkers in the High Middle Ages, grounded in Patristic theology and continuing to hold significant relevance today.
Introduction to Christian Spirituality
This course explores the historical development of Christian spirituality by examining the inspirational texts that have touched the mind and heart of Christians throughout history. The course also discusses the development of the definition of spirituality and various approaches to the modern studies of spirituality.
Intellectual and Spiritual Life in Christianity and Buddhism: Bonaventure and Chinul
This course examines the intellectual and spiritual legacies of two influential figures in Christianity and Buddhism: Bonaventure (c.1217–1274), a Franciscan theologian, and Chinul (1158–1210), a Korean Zen master. Both dedicated their lives to integrating intellectual inquiry and spiritual practice in pursuit of the ultimate goals of their respective traditions. A key focus of the course is the tension between two modes of religious discourse: positive (cataphatic) and negative (apophatic) theology. These approaches reflect different understandings of the divine or the ultimate, particularly in relation to its immanence and transcendence. The course fosters a meaningful dialogue between these traditions and between Western and Eastern perspectives.
Publications
You can find his publications here (https://fst-us.academia.edu/YonghoFrancisLee).
Biography
| Name: | Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD |
| Specialization: | Medieval Theology, Parisian School of St Victor |
| Email: | jmousseau@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619.574.5802 |
“One of the most important gifts we bring to our ministry is the truth of our faith and history. Historical studies help us know how blessed the Church is and how we have overcome challenging times throughout history.”
Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, completed her doctorate in historical theology at Saint Louis University in 2006. After teaching at Saint Louis University and the University of Dallas School of Ministry, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 2009. She served as a professor of church history at the Aquinas Institute of Theology from 2012 to 2021. During that time, she published on the twelfth-century Abbey of Saint Victor as well as contemporary issues in religious life. She made her final profession as a Religious of the Sacred Heart in January 2020. She became the Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2021.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Saint Louis University 2006
- M.A. Saint Louis University 2002
- S.T.L. Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University 2024
- B.A. Gonzaga University 2000
Select Publications
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat: Leadership in a Divided World (New York: Paulist, 2025).
Reseeding Religious Life through Global Sisterhood, edited by Susan Rose Francois, CSJP, and Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2024).
Prophetic Witnesses to Joy: A Theology of the Vowed Life (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2021).
Life at Saint Victor, edited by Frans van Liere and Juliet Mousseau, Victorine Texts in Translation 9 (Turnhout: Brepols, 2021).
In Our Own Words: Religious Life in a Changing World, edited by Juliet Mousseau and Sarah Kohles (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2018).
A Companion to the Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris, edited by Hugh Feiss and Juliet Mousseau, Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition (Leiden: Brill, 2017).
Biography
| Name: | Keith Douglass Warner, OFM |
| Specialization: | Ethics & Spirituality |
| Email: | keithwarner@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619.574.5800 |
Keith Douglass Warner OFM is a practical social ethicist in the Franciscan tradition, researching the role of ethics and spirituality in the transformation of people and social structures. He teaches moral theology, Catholic social thought, and Franciscan philosophy. He has written, taught, and presented internationally on Franciscan eco-spirituality in the encyclical Laudato si’. With Ilia Delio OSF and Pamela Wood, is co-author of “Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth Expanded Edition” (Franciscan Media, 2024, translated into Spanish and Korean).
During his two decades at Santa Clara University, he designed and led a global action research fellowship in social entrepreneurship, and designed leadership formation programs for ACWECA, a network of 30,000 East African Catholic Sisters, to transform subsistence farms into social enterprises. He designed and led the Franciscan Journey Institute, a program of Franciscan philosophy as a way of life, structured by Bonaventure’s Itinerarium Mentis in Deum. He is a long-time member of the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition, and is currently researching the globalization of the Franciscan charism since Vatican II. He is an affiliated scholar with Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC.
Degrees
- PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of California/Santa Cruz
- MA in Spirituality from the Franciscan School of Theology
Biography
| Name: | Christopher M. O’Brien, PhD |
| Specialization: | Sacramental and Liturgical Theology |
| Email: | cobrien1@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619-574-5713 |
Christopher M. O’Brien, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Sacramental and Liturgical Theology at the Franciscan School of Theology. He received his doctorate from The Catholic University of America in 2025 in Liturgical Studies/ Sacramental Theology. Prior to his time at CUA, he received a B.S. in Physics and an M.A. in Education from Stanford University, and an M. Div. from the University of Notre Dame. He also spent five years teaching physics and mathematics, mostly at Catholic high schools. His research, writing, and teaching aims to put liturgical-sacramental history and theology into conversation with lived experience of Christian worship. His articles on topics such as Christian initiation, Eucharist, children and liturgy, liturgical sacramental theology, ecclesiology, and ecumenism have been published in liturgical, theological, and ecumenical journals. His forthcoming book explores the history and theology of the practice of infant communion in Roman Catholicism.
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies/ Sacramental Theology – The Catholic University of America
- M. Phil. in Liturgical Studies/ Sacramental Theology – The Catholic University of America
- M. Div. – University of Notre Dame
- M.A. in Education – Stanford University
- B.S. in Physics – Stanford University
Select Publications
Infant Communion in Roman Catholicism (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press Academic). [forthcoming, 2026]
“Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children, Another Look: Context, Text, Reception, and Evaluation.” Ecclesia Orans 40, no. 2 (2023): 279-305.
“Ecology and the Eucharist: Pope Francis’ Liturgical Theology of Caring for Our Common Home.” Studia Liturgica 53, no. 2 (2023): 279-305.
“Children and the Eucharist at the Council of Trent.” Theological Studies 83, no. 3 (2022): 379-399. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405639221113461.
“‘Urbi et Orbi’ and Digitally Mediated Liturgy: Embodied Participation and Ecclesial Formation.” Anaphora 15, nos. 1-2 (2021): 59-70.
A full list of Dr. O’Brien’s publications can be found here. https://fst-us.academia.edu/ChristopherOBrien
Biography
| Name: | Shannon M. McAlister, PhD |
| Specialization: | Theology of God; Spirituality; Moral Theology and Ethics |
| Email: | smcalister@fst.edu |
| Phone: | 619.574.5717 |
Shannon McAlister is Associate Professor of Theology and Spirituality, and Director of Field Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Theology from The Catholic University of America, and is also a trained and practicing spiritual director. She taught at Fordham University in New York City for 13 years before joining the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego, and she currently serves as the President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.
Dr. McAlister’s research focuses on feminine-gendered language for God—and the portrayal of God as a woman and mother—within the works of the Fathers, saints, and Doctors of the Church in the Latin West. Her work with Latin texts overturns a widely held, scholarly narrative which mistakenly portrays feminine language for God as disappearing after the days of the early Church.
Her publications have shown that God was widely portrayed as a woman and mother all the way through the height of the Middle Ages—a tradition which was carried forward even into the nineteenth century in those places where the works of Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great, and Thomas Aquinas were read. Her 2018 article on “Christ as the Woman Seeking Her Lost Coin: Luke 15:8-10 and Divine Sophia in the Latin West” was the most-read article in Theological Studies two-and-a-half years after it was published; and her book on the history of a discussion in the Middle Ages about calling God the Father a “Mother” and God the Son a “Daughter” is under contract with Notre Dame Press.
Degrees
- Ph.D., Systematic Theology, School of Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America, May 12, 2012
- M.A., Historical and Systematic Theology, The Catholic University of America, January 31, 2008
- Certificate, Spiritual Direction Institute: Art and Practice of Spiritual Direction, Mercy Center, Burlingame, California, November 9, 2019
Accreditation
The Franciscan School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The Franciscan School of Theology regularly assesses its academic programs to ensure that they continue to provide the desired depth and breadth of theological education and that they conform to the standards of the WSCUC and ATS accrediting agencies.
Admissions
Step 1:
Create an online account to start an application and apply to FST graduate programs. Review the Steps to Apply page to see all requirements.
Step 2:
Connect with an FST enrollment advisor. An enrollment advisor can guide you through the process, coordinate a campus visit, and even get your application fee waived.
Step 3:
Gather additional application materials. Request official transcripts and the contact information for your letters of recommendation.
Step 4:
Submit your application. Once all application materials have been received, the Admissions Committee will review your application, and the Admissions team will contact you with the decision.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The Franciscan School of Theology utilizes the University of San Diego’s financial aid department to provide financial aid guidance and support to our student body.
FST offers scholarships based on financial need and academic merit. Additionally, we offer two special programs for employees of Catholic institutions and professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order (full-time, on-campus degree programs only).
FST also participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
We recommend that applicants begin the financial aid process when applying for admission.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Franciscan School of Theology admit lay persons?
Our students come from all walks of life, both lay and religious. Our Requirements Page gives more information about requirements for our degrees and non-degree programs.Do I have to be Catholic to attend FST?
The Franciscan School of Theology gladly welcomes people of all beliefs to share in the Franciscan Spiritual and Intellectual Tradition – you do not need to be Roman Catholic to attend. FST is a Roman Catholic institution.What do graduates do with their MDiv degrees?
Many MDiv graduates will become ordained priests in the Catholic Church or enter lay ministry in faith-based or secular organizations. Other graduates work in chaplaincy, education, community organizing, justice and advocacy, retreat centers, catechetics, or Christian initiation.Does FST offer financial assistance?
Yes. The Franciscan School of Theology offers financial aid in scholarships, tuition assistance, programs for employees of Catholic institutions, and a program for professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order. In addition, FST participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, open to US citizens and permanent residents. Alumni can also audit courses as Clare of Assisi Scholars at a discounted rate.Does the Franciscan School of Theology admit International Students?
Yes. The Franciscan School of Theology has a long tradition of welcoming students from around the world. Students have joined us from countries such as Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Guam, Spain, China, the Philippines, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and Mexico. FST is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students.Explore Our Additional Programs
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