The 128-132 credit Academic Program for Priesthood Candidates is the prescribed curriculum at ICSST for all seminarians seeking ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood, complying with the requirements of the Program of Priestly Formation, 4th ed., of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Students meeting the requirements of this program automatically fulfill the requirements of the M.Div. program. The prescribed seminarian curriculum is:
| First Year | |||||
| Fall Semester: 15 credits | Credits | Spring Semester: 18 credits | Credits | ||
| BIBL 6501 | Synoptic Gospels | 3 | BIBL 6503 | Johannine Literature | 3 |
| HSTD 6301 | Mediterranean Christianity | 3 | CETH 6101 | Christian Ethics I | 3 |
| PTHO 6011 | Oral Interpretation | 1 | HSTD 6302 | European Christianity | 3 |
| PTHO 6518 | Integrating Music and Liturgical Celebration | 2 | STHO 6201 | Contemporary Foundations for Theology | 3 |
| STHO 6202 | Revelation and Faith | 3 | STHO 6203 | Christology | 3 |
| STHO 6501 | Worship of the Church | 3 | STHO 6503 | Sacraments of Initiation | 3 |
Second Year |
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| Fall Semester: 18 credits | Credits | Spring Semester: 20 credits | Credits | ||
| BIBL 6505 | Pauline Literature | 3 | BIBL 6201 | Pentateuch | 3 |
| CETH 6102 | Christian Ethics II | 3 | CETH 6205 | Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| HSTD 6303 | World Christianity | 3 | HSTD 6807 | American Christianity | 3 |
| PTHO 6201 | Pastoral Psychology | 3 | PTHO 6109 | Introduction to Preaching | 2 |
| STHO 6207 | Ecclesiology | 3 | PTHO 6202 | Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| Field Education | 3 | STHO 6208 | Mission and Ministry | 3 | |
| Field Education | 3 | ||||
Third Year |
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| Fall Semester: 17 credits | Credits | Spring Semester: 15 credits | Credits | ||
| BIBL 6203 | Prophetic Literature | 3 | BIBL 6205 | Wisdom Literature and Psalms | 3 |
| CETH 6306 | Catholic Sexual Teaching | 3 | CETH 6407 | Catholic Social Teaching | 3 |
| PTHO 6112 | Preaching Practicum I | 2 | PTHO 6401 | General Canon Law | 3 |
| STHO 6204 | Trinity | 3 | PTHO 6503 | Liturgical Practicum | 2 |
| STHO 6205 | Christian Anthropology | 3 | PTHO 9102 | M.Div. Comprehensive Seminar I | 1 |
| Field Education | 3 | Field Education | 3 | ||
Fourth Year |
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| Fall Semester: 12 credits | Credits | Spring Semester: 14 credits | Credits | ||
| PTHO 6007 | Pastoral Spanish I* | 2 | PTHO 6008 | Pastoral Spanish II* | 2 |
| PTHO 6113 | Preaching Practicum II | 2 | PTHO 6715 | Spiritual Direction | 3 |
| PTHO 6405 | Canon Law of Marriage | 3 | STHO 6507 | Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick | 3 |
| STHO 6505 | Eucharist | 3 | STHO 6509 | Christian Marriage | 3 |
| PTHO 9103 | M.Div. Comprehensive Seminar II | 2 | Select one of the following two courses: | ||
| PTHO 6301 | Parish as Learning Community or | 3 | |||
| PTHO 6323 | Adult Catechesis | 3 | |||
*For seminarians for whom English is their primary language and who
are studying for dioceses which require Spanish language proficiency.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the above, seminarians must take at least three
additional credits in spirituality.
Joint M.Div.-M.A. Option
In the course of complying with the "Academic Program for Priesthood
Candidates," a student also meets all requirements for the M.Div.
degree. Because there are, however, about 50 credits in the "Academic
Program for Priesthood Candidates" not applied towards the M.Div., these
credits may be applied towards the M.A. in Theology, either in research
or general format. Credits cannot serve "double-duty." What is applied
toward the M.Div. cannot be used toward the M.A., however, if a student has
met all the requirements of the Academic Program for Priesthood
Candidates, he needs only the following additional credits to meet the
requirements in his concentration area for the M.A.: systematics -6;
moral theology - 12; Church history - 15; biblical studies - 15, plus
Greek and Hebrew requirements.
Remaining Requirements:
(I) For students choosing the research format: language reading
requirements, comprehensive examinations and thesis; (II) for students
choosing the general format: a passing grade in the M.A. seminar. In the four years of preparation for the priesthood, it is
possible to complete all course work requirements (in either degree
format) and, where applicable, language requirements. Students choosing
the research option normally complete comprehensives and thesis after
ordination. For more information on the joint degree option, contact the
associate dean at (973) 761-9576.