Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary
| Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary | |
|---|---|
| Short name | SOT/Sem |
| Type | Seminary and school of theology |
| Status | Open |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Operated by | Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University |
| Religious order | Order of Saint Benedict (Benedictine) |
| City | Collegeville, Minnesota |
| State / province | Minnesota |
| Country | United States |
| Address | P.O. Box 7288, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321 |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | Priesthood studies, diaconal formation, lay ministry formation |
| Degrees | Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity – Lay, Master of Divinity – Priesthood Studies, Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Liturgical Music, Master of Theology |
| Enrollment | 160+ students |
Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary is a Roman Catholic, Benedictine graduate school of theology and seminary located in Collegeville, Minnesota, on the campus of Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University. Founded in 1857 by the monks of Saint John's Abbey, it forms priests, deacons, and lay ministers for service to the church.
History
The school was founded in 1857 by the monks of Saint John's Abbey, one year before Minnesota received statehood, and is described as the most ancient element of Saint John's University. Its faculty attended the Second Vatican Council as periti, and the school was one of the first Roman Catholic Theologates to confer master's degrees to women. It was also one of the pioneering communities to offer formation for the permanent diaconate, hosted a major symposium with the USCCB on the role of the laity, and was represented by a faculty member on the theological commission for the Synod on Synodality.
Campus and Formation
The school is located on a campus of 3,000+ acres of prairies, lakes, and forests, offering residential students a contemplative environment for formation and vocational discernment within a Benedictine and Catholic community of prayer, study, and communal life. Its curriculum is grounded in the Collegeville Core, an integrated curriculum pioneered under the leadership of Fr. Dale Launderville, OSB, spanning the History of Christianity, Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, Liturgy, and Spirituality/Monastic Studies. The school also offers a Diaconal Formation Program and a 4+1 Program.
Academics
The school offers six graduate degrees: Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity – Lay, Master of Divinity – Priesthood Studies, Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Liturgical Music, and Master of Theology, delivered full-time or part-time through in-person, hybrid, or fully online formats. It also offers certificates in Benedictine Spirituality, Spiritual Direction, and Ministry, along with a Sabbatical Program. At the time of the source, the school reported a 99% placement rate within a year of graduation, ranked in the top 10% of over 270 ATS schools in minimizing student debt, and stated that 100% of degree-seeking students receive a scholarship. The dean of the school is Shawn M. Colberg, Ph.D.
Current Status
As of 2026, the school remains active, enrolling 160+ students and offering graduate theological education, seminary formation, and continuing education programs.