Statement of Effectiveness - Saint John's Seminary
Celebrating 140 Years of Mission!  

Statement of Effectiveness

Saint John’s Seminary is fully committed to the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of its academic programs. The rector, administration, and faculty continuously endeavor to offer effective programs in preparing candidates for ordained and lay ministry and participation in the life and work of the Catholic Church.

Over the past twenty years, Saint John’s Seminary has ordained over 244 men to the Roman Catholic priesthood. In September 2021, Saint John’s Seminary welcomed 80 new and returning seminarians into seminary formation from eight dioceses, four institutes of religious life, and one ecclesial movement.

The Master of Arts in Ministry program for the education and formation of lay, religious, and deacons completed its twentieth year in May 2021 and, with the 2022 graduating class, has awarded degrees to 231 men and women.

The Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization program, which began in 2011 for the education of lay, religious, and deacons, has had 43 students successfully graduate from the program as of May 2022.

Pre-Theology Program

The Pre-Theology Program, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) or Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, (B.A., Phil.), provides a solid foundation for further seminary theological studies, as well as the opportunity for ongoing discernment of the vocation to the diocesan priesthood and/or religious life. In the past ten years, 81% of those entering the Pre-Theology program have completed it, and 68% have gone on to continued formation and study in the Theology Program.

Theology Program

The Theology Program, leading to the degree of Master of Divinity (M.Div.), is a coherent, comprehensive program for the formation of candidates to the priesthood. While studying for the Master of Divinity program, a civil graduate degree, most seminarians avail themselves of the opportunity to earn the Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), an ecclesial graduate degree. In the past ten years, 67% of those entering the Master of Divinity program at Saint John’s Seminary have graduated. While enrolled in these four year degree programs, seminarians are also able to earn a Master of Arts in Theology. For the last ten years, 6% of seminarians in the Master of Divinity program concurrently completed the Master of Arts in Theology degree. It is important to note that the graduation rates for degrees in both Pre-Theology and Theology signify the completion of academic as well as human, spiritual, and pastoral formation. Moreover, there are unique factors at a Catholic seminary, such as vocational discernment, which may significantly impact graduation rates.

The M.A.M. and M.T.S. Degree Programs

Of those who graduated from the M.A.M. and M.T.S. programs in May 2021, 4 out of 5, or 80%, reported that within six months of graduation they were employed in their chosen field.