Who can study at Saint Meinrad?
I haven't been in a classroom for years. Can I handle the coursework?
I'd like to teach. Can a Saint Meinrad degree help me?
I'm interested in studying theology, but I'm not sure if I'm called to work for the Church.
I live several hours from Saint Meinrad. How can I study there?
I can only study part time. How long will it take me to complete a degree at Saint Meinrad?
Does Saint Meinrad offer a total distance-learning degree?
I'm not Catholic. Can I take classes at Saint Meinrad?
I'd like to study full time. Does Saint Meinrad have on-campus housing?
Who can study at Saint Meinrad?
We prepare women and men, young and old, deacons and lay people for ministry and for spiritual growth. God calls all baptized Christians, whether lay or ordained, to cultivate holiness, live simply, serve others, and spread the Gospel. Saint Meinrad has traditionally prepared men for Catholic priesthood; however, our Graduate Theology degree and certificate programs are designed for deacons and laity who wish to pursue the study of theology.
I haven't been in a classroom for years. Can I handle the coursework?
The majority of our students are non-traditional students, coming back to school after several years spent in another career, raising a family and so forth. Our coursework is rigorous and challenging, but our professors also understand that many students might need some extra assistance, especially in the beginning of their study. Our Mader Learning Center also provides learning resources, tutorials and writing/research assistance for those who need it.
I'd like to teach. Can a Saint Meinrad degree help me?
Our Master of Arts (Theology) degree is an academic theology degree that can prepare you to teach at different levels (elementary, high school, etc.). The MA(T) also serves as good preparation for doctoral studies, if you wish to pursue a terminal degree.
I'm interested in studying theology, but I'm not sure if I'm called to work for the Church.
Many students at Saint Meinrad do not intend to seek professional ministry positions. Some are retired; some are already firmly committed to a non-Church-related career and vocation; some are still discerning how God is calling them to grow and serve. By its very nature, theological study includes a process of vocational discernment, and we offer opportunities to help you do specific discernment of where theological study is leading you.
Can I get financial aid?
Generous donors and the institution's commitment to Church ministry allows Saint Meinrad to offer generous financial aid to Graduate Theology students based on financial need (as determined by the FAFSA form), ministry involvement and academic record.
Students receiving financial aid must fill out a new FAFSA form each year. Saint Meinrad also offers grants that match the contributions of a parish or diocese toward a student's coursework, up to $150 per term. See Financial Aid section for more information.
Do I need to take the GRE?
Saint Meinrad does not require scores from the Graduate Record Exam for admittance to a degree program. However, the school does accept the scores, which can be helpful if, for some reason, a student's academic record does not provide an accurate picture of a student's academic ability.
I live several hours from Saint Meinrad. How can I study there?
A large percentage of Saint Meinrad's Graduate Theology students live at least three hours away from campus. The main course format for part-time students living some distance from Saint Meinrad is the weekend course. These courses consist of three all-day Saturday - Sunday weekends (with breaks for Mass and the Divine Office, of course), one per month for three months.
This compressed format gives students the same amount of classroom time as a conventional weekly course, but requires being on campus only one weekend per month. Weekend courses are offered year-round. Alternatively, you can take up to 75 percent of your courses online. Independent studies are also possible.
Intensive residency courses are another option. In these courses, you are on campus for five to six consecutive days.
I can only study part time. How long will it take me to complete a degree at Saint Meinrad?
Most of our Graduate Theology students are part-time-with families, full-time jobs in ministry or other fields, and other responsibilities and commitments. We have planned our course offerings carefully, so that if you take a combination of weekend, online and intensive residency courses, you can graduate in three years. Students coming in with an undergraduate major or minor in theology or philosophy may be able to complete the degree even sooner.
Does Saint Meinrad offer a total distance-learning degree?
Although we offer many online courses and the possibility of independent studies, we require that at least 25% of the required credits for a degree be taken at the Saint Meinrad campus, through weekday, intensive, or weekend courses. Therefore, you can complete up to 75% of your degree through other formats: a combination of online courses, independent studies, and transfer credit from other institutions.
I'm not Catholic. Can I take classes at Saint Meinrad?
Although Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition and classes are taught from a Catholic perspective, the school has a commitment to ecumenism and has both students and faculty from other Christian denominations.
I'd like to study full time. Does Saint Meinrad have on-campus housing?
Saint Meinrad offers on-campus housing and meal options to full- and part-time students in the MA (Theology) Program. Inexpensive off-campus housing is also available nearby. Click here for details about Room and Board.