Master of Divinity (MDiv)

A two- or three-year professional degree that prepares students for Church ministry, the Master of Divinity (MDiv) offers appropriate preparation for those intending to serve in ordained, service, and ecclesial ministries. Those pursuing ordained ministry in the Church must complete an additional year of theological and ministerial training. 

Note that completing the MDiv degree does not entitle the recipient to ordination. Admission to ordination is the decision of local diocesan ordinaries or superiors of religious orders who may have further requirements or expectations.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic documents and heritage of the Roman Catholic Church through instruction in Scripture, Church history, systematic theology, liturgy, and moral theology within diverse cultural contexts.
• Develop skills for ministerial leadership through pastoral training, liturgical preparation, preaching, supervised field education, and experiences with diverse cultural groups.
• Achieve personal and spiritual growth and integration through theological reflection, professional ethics training, and a personal ministry statement.

Upon completion of the MDiv program, graduates should be able to:

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the specified theological disciplines.
• Exhibit focused expertise in a chosen theological discipline.
• Exercise sound practices of compassionate understanding.
• Communicate coherently, effectively, and persuasively in writing and speaking.
• Collaborate in a spirit of openness, mutuality, and intercultural sensitivity.
• Manifest psychological health, display appropriate interpersonal boundaries, and understand the responsible exercise of power.
• Interpret and apply theological learning in religiously and culturally diverse contexts.
• Demonstrate an integrated spirituality formed by Scripture, theological reflection, and communal worship.

• Chaplaincy (hospital, military, prison, law enforcement, etc.)
• Education
• Spiritual counseling 
• Retreat organization and leadership 
• Community organizing
• Advocacy work
• Nonprofit leadership
• Catechetics
• Christian initiation (RCIA)

Step 1: Connect with an FST enrollment advisor. An enrollment advisor can guide you through the process, help request your documentation, and even get your application fee waived. 

Step 2: Create an online account to apply for FST graduate programs. The easiest way to apply to FST is to complete the online application, uploading the supporting documents as they are ready. 

Step 3: Gather your application materials. These include your official transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, and your Statement of Purpose.

Step 4: Complete and submit your application. Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. The Review Committee will recommend a decision within one week of your application being submitted.

Please remember to review all admissions requirements carefully before applying.

• Complete 72 semester units as described in the curriculum below, 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

Candidates for ordination are required to take a 24-unit Certificate in Priestly Formation covering the sciences and skills necessary for ordination in addition to the requirements of the MDiv program. Note that completion of the Certificate does not entitle the recipient to ordination. Admission to ordination is the decision of local diocesan ordinaries or superiors of religious orders who may have further requirements or expectations.

MDiv students participate in four ministry seminars, one each semester. The seminars are collaborative teaching and learning environments where students integrate theological, ministerial, and educational insights and understandings. The seminars draw from theology, sociology and psychology of religion, cultural and ethnic studies, and religious education.

Under the guidance of the Field Education Program Director, MDiv students are assigned to ministry placements made according to their professional goals in areas such as parish work, health care or prison chaplaincy, community organizing, justice and advocacy, retreats, catechetics, campus or university ministry, Christian initiation, or educational leadership.

In the final semester of the ministry seminar, students prepare a capstone project under the direction of a faculty advisor. They address theological questions of critical relevance to a multicultural church and society and apply them to a particular ministerial context and practice. Students give oral presentations incorporating multiple learning styles and multicultural sensitivity upon completion of written material.

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 (WASC).

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 WASC and ATS accrediting agencies.

Students of the Master of Divinity 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.

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. To find out more about these programs, as well as others, contact the Admissions office at admissions@fst.edu.

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.

Discover the Franciscan Difference

The Franciscan School of Theology is committed to embodying Franciscan theology in a religiously and culturally diverse world. Based on the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, Franciscan theology offers an optimistic and hope-filled view of this world and Christ’s central presence within it. 

In our living, our learning, our relationships, and our community, we address both the head and the heart by integrating the pastoral and academic dimensions of theological studies. In partnership with the University of San Diego, we share an affinity in Catholic identity, commitment to academic excellence, dedication to social change, and awareness of the unique challenges of living in a global world.

Learn with us and become part of the Franciscan Difference.

On-campus FST students can take advantage of:

• An immersive and personally fulfilling career-building education
• Accomplished professional faculty with extensive education/teaching experience
• Small class sizes with a low instructor-to-student ratio
• A strong community of dedicated, passionate, open-minded peers
• Access to the resources and services of a large research university