Educational Effectiveness

The University of St. Thomas School of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary is committed to providing the highest quality education for seminarians, permanent deacon candidates and students preparing for lay ministry in the Roman Catholic Church.  Regular outcomes assessment is used to evaluate the effectiveness of each course.  Faculty annually review outcomes data with the goal of modification of course content and of the overall curriculum, if necessary, to assure that students have the best possible intellectual formation.  In addition placement of graduates is monitored as an indication that the training of our graduates is consistent with the needs of our client dioceses.

From 2013-2017, 100% of graduates were ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood.  Outcomes assessment data and student success in meeting course goals indicated that 90% of graduates ranked very good in the 5 core theological disciplines (Scripture, Systematic Theology, Church History, Moral Theology, Sacramental Theology).  Ten percent of these students ranked excellent in at least 3 of the 5 major areas of study and no student ranked less than competent in any area of study.

Of the students who completed the non-ordination Master of Divinity degree, all are either working for the Church in some capacity or continuing their studies.  After completing work in the 5 major theological disciplines (Scripture, Systematic Theology, Church History, Moral Theology, Sacramental Theology) their average GPA was 3.61 on a 4.0 scale

Of the students completing the Master of Arts (Theology) from 2013 to 2017, 84% are active in either lay or ordained ministry and 9% have gone on for additional studies.  Outcomes assessment data and overall GPAs indicate that all MA students rank very good to excellent in the 5 core theological disciplines (Scripture, Systematic Theology, Church History, Moral Theology, Sacramental Theology).

From 2013 to 2017, 100% of the men who completed the MAPS degree as part of their diaconal formation were ordained to the permanent diaconate.  Of the remaining MAPS students, 61% are employed by their parishes or dioceses, 22% word in the Catholic school system and 17% completed the degree for personal enrichment.  Outcomes data indicate that all students were judged at least very good in all 5 theological disciplines (Scripture, Systematic Theology, Church History, Moral Theology, Sacramental Theology).