School of Theology and Ministry

Mark S. Markuly, PhD, Dean
Faustino Cruz SM, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Life
Michael Trice, PhD, Assistant Dean for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

Preparation for Dynamic and Holistic Leadership in a Diverse World

Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry brings the wisdom and insights from historic spiritual and religious traditions into the core curriculum of its six graduate degrees in leadership, divinity, counseling/therapy, pastoral studies, and chaplaincy as well as specialized professional certificates.

Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry is committed to addressing the needs of an increasingly multicultural church and world. Students develop a greater capacity to live out their religious and spiritual commitments authentically, while also learning to respect persons and their differences, to foster the values of personal dignity, civility and mutual respect; and to model and defend these values. Internship sites and the curriculum within the School of Theology and Ministry provide a safe space for students to be mentored and emerge as more integrated individuals, capable of healthy, holistic service within many settings.

The School of Theology and Ministry uniquely expresses Seattle University’s core value of social justice, through the Jesuit tradition’s lens of a faith that does justice. Justice issues are infused into all areas of the curriculum, and faculty, staff, students and alumni are committed to practicing and cultivating a keen awareness of today’s world and its’ need for justice.  Contextual learning in community-based organizations and faith communities gives students the opportunity to practice in vocational settings the values and commitments they explore in the classroom.  The School provides students with the services and support they need to engage in disciplined, developmental, and holistic education and formation. Because faculty themselves are engaged in active ministry, they are able to address pastoral questions and articulate the pastoral implications of the theology and spirituality they teach.

The School has been accredited by the Association for Theological Schools since 1993 and holds professional affiliations for specific degree programs. Students learn to engage the unique challenges and problems of today through a uniquely integrated curriculum of the best in contemporary and ancient wisdom.  They also develop the skills needed to work for a more just and humane world through a faith that does justice.  The School represents over 17 religious traditions, including partnership with Reformed, Protestant, Evangelical, Unitarian, Roman Catholic, and Anglican faith communities, as well as Jewish and Muslim Communities. Over 2200 alumni from the School serve communities worldwide in a variety of vocations.

The student body of the School of Theology and Ministry is made up of adult learners who are seeking to develop spiritually, to know and appreciate their particular religious or spiritual tradition, and to become skilled ministers and spiritually and ethically-informed leaders in non-profits, business and government.  

Flexible Scheduling

Summer: The summer schedule offers one-week, two-week, and weekend intensives. Courses meet on campus daily and are scheduled all day long or mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Students who wish to live on campus during summer sessions must apply for housing via online registration through Conference and Event Services: seattleu.edu/ces/.

Weekday: Courses are offered on campus in weekly three hour sessions during fall, winter and spring quarters. Courses are scheduled during mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

Weekends: Weekend courses consist of a total of two weekends per quarter. Students can access only one course per quarter in this format.

Combinations of these scheduling options determine the rate of completion of the degrees. Internships, practica, spiritual direction, retreats, and independent studies allow commuting students to complete some of their educational experiences in their own geographic areas. 

Time Limit

All work toward a degree from the School of Theology and Ministry must be completed within six years. This limit includes transfer credit. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered for either summer or fall quarter entry. Admission is selective, and candidates are evaluated on their individual merits, rather than on a comparative basis. Application deadlines are as follows:

Christifideles applications due: Feb. 15.
MARPT, PMC-PL, and DMin applications due: March 1st. Programs start in Summer quarter.
All other STM degree and certificate applications:
     - April 1 for Summer admission
     - June 1 for Fall admission
International students:
     - Jan. 1 for Summer admission
     - April 1 for Fall admission

All applicants must provide the following for consideration:

• Completed Application for Graduate Admission and non-refundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
• Official transcripts reflecting a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and any post-baccalaureate coursework reflecting (those applying for post-master’s work must provide transcripts reflecting graduate-level degree completion): 
  1. Two undergraduate courses in theology or equivalent
  2. Minimum grade point average of 2.75 calculated from official transcripts of all post-secondary education institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree and any post-baccalaureate courses. Relationship and Pastoral Therapy and international applicants must have a 3.00 GPA. Post-master’s work must demonstrate achievement of 3.00 GPA or better. If GPA falls below the required minimum, then the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) is required for consideration of equivalency.
• Résumé reflecting two years of experience in some form of education, ministry, or service as a professional or volunteer (including experience in social service for admission to the Relationship and Pastoral Therapy program or leadership roles for the Transformational Leadership program.)
• STM recommendation forms completed by two ministry, leadership, or counseling-related professional individuals who can attest to readiness for the type of profession you are hoping to achieve through the degree or certificate application. (e.g.: counseling for admission to the Relationship and Pastoral Therapy program) or leadership capacity for the Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership degree.
• An autobiographical statement (5-8 pages) that includes:
  1. An account of important events and relationships in your life, highlighting the impact of these on your development (3-5 pages)
  2. Several paragraphs (2-5 each) that address the following:
     1. Impression of this program and your expectations of it,
     2. Discussion of the professional skills and understandings you seek through participation in STM and the areas of personal growth most important to you,
     3. Listing of formal and informal education you have engaged in over the last three years, e.g., workshops, institutes, reading, etc,
     4. Major ministry, leadership, or church-related experiences, noting whether they are part-time or full-time and the years you were engaged in them.
• Interview with an STM admissions committee faculty
• If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for exceptions. 

Additional Requirements for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Leadership:

• Master’s degree in a ministry-related program from an accredited institution (with 3.0 GPA on scale of 4.0) required. Equivalency and substitutions determined at discretion of Admissions Committee.
• Official transcripts of all graduate level coursework.
• Two recommendation from an endorsing official using STM form provided
• Autobiographical statement (5-8 pages) including:
  1. Account of your life and important events and relationships, highlighting impact of these your development (3-5- pages)
  2. Several paragraphs (2-5 each) that address the following:
     1. Impression of this program and your expectations of it,
     2. Discussion of the professional skills and understandings you seek through participation in STM and the areas of personal growth most important to you,
     3. Listing of formal and informal education you have engaged in over the last three years, e.g., workshops, institutes, reading, etc,
• Major ministry or church-related experiences, noting whether done part-time or full-time and years when engaged (for MATL applicants, major work experiences that has developed your leadership abilities)Ministry experience statement including the following:
  1. List last three ministry positions held; your position and dates
  2. Functions best describing present ministry

• Current program or activities, for which you have leadership responsibilities, best reflecting your vision and ministryFollowing review of application materials, qualified candidates contacted for interview 

Additional requirements for the Doctor of Ministry program:

• Successful completion of at least 7 months of Pastoral Leadership Certificate at Seattle University, including demonstrated capacity to conduct discipline appropriate research
• Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution (with 3.0 GPA on scale of 4.0) required. Equivalency and substitutions determined at discretion of Admissions Committee. Ministerial experience not considered equivalent of, or substitute for MDiv degree
• Evidence of minimum of three years of full-time professional ministerial experience subsequent to MDiv degree or its equivalent In March-April of Post-Master’s Certificate in Pastoral Leadership year, interview with Director of DMin to chart course for either completion of the PMC-PL or DMin
• If planning to study on an F-1 student visa, a completed Declaration of Finance form required and provided in packet

Transfer Credit

Students may petition to transfer graduate credits earned from another regionally accredited institution or a program accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) into the School of Theology and Ministry (STM).

Graduate course credits earned with a letter grade of B or above in academic work comparable to core course requirements at the STM may be transferred upon evaluation and approval of the associate dean for academic programs, the dean and the registrar. Courses that do not meet core requirement standards may be accepted as electives.

Up to 10 credits may be transferred toward the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) and the Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership (MATL) degrees, up to 24 for advanced standing in the Master of Arts in Relationship and Pastoral Therapy (MARPT)  and Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality (MATS) degrees, up to 57 credits may be transferred toward the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, and up to 15 credits may be transferred toward the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree. All non-credit formation requirements and related formation courses must normally be taken at Seattle University for work toward any degree.

Students who have completed the MAPS degree from Seattle University may petition the STM admissions committee to accept the earned degree in total or in part toward the MATS or MDiv degrees. 

Up to 21 credits for the Master of Arts in Relationship and Pastoral Therapy (MARPT) degree may be waived for advanced placement in the program upon approval of the degree directors and the associate dean. Students may waive up to 2 electives (6 credits), up to 4 theological foundation courses (12 credits), and up to one course in counseling or pastoral skills (3 credits) for a total of 21 credits. Applicants must submit transcripts related to a completed MA or higher in a theology and/or ministry field.

Degree Components

Each degree is rooted in the conviction that ministers and educators serve more effectively when they combine personal and professional growth with a Gospel vision of service to the community. Each degree integrates three major components:

• Academic depth in scripture, theology, and historical traditions
• Development of pastoral skills
• Personal and pastoral spiritual formation

Formation Components

Students are expected to participate in spiritual formation, which includes building community with their peers. Depending on degree programs, students are assigned according to degree program or evening/weekend status to one of four reflection groups which celebrate prayer, enter a commitment of faith sharing, and develop ways of caring for student needs. Orientation, days or evenings of reflection, spiritual direction, leadership experiences, and requirements for worship and hospitality help students practice ministerial competencies with each other while contributing to the deepening of adult learning communities. Upon admission, students are advised to join the reflection group appropriate to their course of study.