Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley: Bachelor of Sacred Theology

The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a three-year Roman Catholic ecclesiastical degree, granted in the name of the Pope by The Jesuit School of Theology by virtue of its status as an Ecclesiastical Faculty accredited by the Vatican Congregation of Catholic Education. This degree ensures a solid grounding in the whole of Catholic doctrine. The Jesuit School, by means of the curriculum of the M. Div. program, establishes basic core requirements to achieve these ends and attend to the necessary sequencing of the courses. In addition, it offers suitable courses and seminars at an advanced level. The progress of each student is guided and supervised by an academic advisor. The entire program of study shall aim at developing in the students a solid knowledge of theology, a method of doing theological research, a personal synthesis of theology and a committed insight into the Mystery of Christ and the guiding presence of His Spirit in the history of Salvation. As an enhancement of the M.Div. program, the S.T.B. program has additional requirements.

Admission Requirements
The Jesuit School welcomes application of all qualified persons who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Sacred Theology program.

In addition to regular admission requirements, applicants must:

hold a degree of Bachelor of Arts or its equivalent with at least 24 semesters hours or 32 quarter hours of philosophy.

have a "suitable knowledge of the Latin language." This is understood to be a working reading knowledge sufficient to use ecclesiastical documents in Latin. This requirement can be met either by course work, generally two semesters, or by an examination.

possess the personal maturity and faith commitment commensurate with preparation for full-time ministry. To this end, preference is given to applicants who have at least one year of post-college work experience, and at least part-time, directly ministerial experience.

Applicants with Advanced Standing
A student who has taken graduate courses in theology no longer than six years prior to registration may petition for advanced standing in the Jesuit School's S.T.B. program. This petition may be included with the Application for Admission, or it may be submitted during the first semester of study at the Jesuit School. Ordinarily the maximum amount of advanced standing that is granted is twenty-four semester hours (two semesters of full time study). These units must be from courses which cohere with the courses taken at the Jesuit School for the M. Div. Petitions for advanced standing are available from the Assistant Academic Dean or from the Office of Admissions.

Modern Language Study
Academic credit for basic modern language study is not applicable to the Jesuit School degree programs. However, students are encouraged to take advanced, ministerial language courses while they are in the Bachelor of Sacred Theology Program.

Proficiency in Spanish is recommended for all Bachelor of Sacred Theology students.

Master of Divinity Students at the Jesuit School
Fulfillment of the requirements for the S.T.B. may be done simultaneously with fulfillment of requirements for the M.Div. The S.T B. has additional requirements as noted below in the section on Degree Requirements.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of all requirements for the M. Div. program.

Completion of the 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours of philosophy. Even though the normal fulfillment of this requirement will be done prior to residency, in some cases the student may be able to complete the requirement after admission to the program.

Composition of a research synthesis paper in some area of theology. This requirement is normally met by an extended research paper (20-30 pages) done during a course taken during residency under the supervision of the professor of the course.

Demonstration of a working reading knowledge of the Latin language sufficient to use ecclesiastical documents in Latin. This is a prerequisite for the program, but students will be allowed to complete the Latin prerequisite while in S.T.B. studies at the Jesuit School.

A grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) must be maintained for course work. Students will normally take courses on a letter-grade basis except those designated in the course schedule as pass/fail.