Athenaeum of Ohio - Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West
| Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology | |
|---|---|
| Short name | MTSM |
| Type | Interdiocesan Seminary |
| Status | Open |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Sponsoring diocese(s) | Archdiocese of Cincinnati |
| Partner dioceses | Archdiocese of Louisville, Diocese of Charlotte, Diocese of Columbus, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Diocese of Toledo |
| City | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| State / province | Ohio |
| Country | United States |
| Address | 6616 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 |
| Founded | 1829 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | Priesthood, Permanent Diaconate, Lay Formation |
| Degrees | Certificate Programs, Graduate Certificate Programs, Master's Degrees (Biblical Studies, Catholic Studies, Theology, Pastoral Ministry) |
| Pontifical status | No |
| Interdiocesan | Yes |
Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology, also known as the Athenaeum of Ohio and Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, is a Roman Catholic seminary and graduate school of theology in Cincinnati, Ohio, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It forms priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers, and serves the formation needs of several dioceses beyond Cincinnati.
History
Founded in 1829, Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology is described as the third-oldest Catholic seminary in the United States. It is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as the center for ecclesial formation for priests, permanent deacons, and laity.
Campus and Formation
The seminary is located at 6616 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230. It prepares men for ordination to the priesthood and to the permanent diaconate, with formation programs covering academics, formation, liturgy, and the path to ordination, including a specific path for permanent deacons. The campus is also home to the Sacred Music Institute.
Academics
The School of Theology offers certificate programs, graduate certificate programs, and master's degrees to both seminarians and lay students. Master's degrees are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools, and are offered in Biblical Studies, Catholic Studies, and Theology, along with a Master's in Pastoral Ministry for lay students. The School of Theology also offers lay formation and outreach initiatives, and uses the Populi student portal for enrollment and course access.
Current Status
Six dioceses entrust Mount St. Mary's Seminary with the formation of their priests: the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Archdiocese of Louisville, the Diocese of Charlotte, the Diocese of Columbus, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and the Diocese of Toledo. As of 2026, the seminary continues to hold public lectures, liturgical events, and continuing education offerings, including a scheduled Fall 2026 LeBlond Lecture, and had open enrollment for Fall 2026 School of Theology courses.