Sacred Heart School of Theology

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Programs at Sacred Heart School of Theology

Sacred Heart School of Theology appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Theological Seminaries in the United States.

The primary program at Sacred Heart School of Theology is the Master of Arts degree, which offers three pathways for different types of students. Those pathways are labeled as “Lumen Cordis,” “Cor Unum,” and “Adveniat Regnum Tuum.” When translated into English, those Latin titles mean “Light of the Heart,” “One Heart,” and “Your Kingdom Come,” respectively.

The “Lumen Cordis” pathway offers daytime classes and features three possible concentrations that include scripture, spirituality, and systematic theology. Students can choose Plan A, which requires 33 credit hours and finishes with a comprehensive exam or Plan B, which requires 27 credit hours and concludes with a six-credit thesis. Classes include Fundamental Theology, Foundations of Christian Spirituality, Scriptural Foundations, and Fundamental Moral Theology.

For the “Cor Unum” pathway, students will take similar core classes, as well as complete five program components that include theological studies, spiritual formation, mass or Eucharistic adoration, development of powerful questions, and pastoral skills. The pathway features classes that meet each Monday in the evening, as well as sessions on the second Saturday of each month. Students will also receive supplemental material and instruction through the internet. The school expects that students can complete the program in two years. During the final semester of study, students will participate in a capstone project and create a portfolio.

For the “Adveniat Regnum Tuum” pathway, prospective students should be members of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart who live abroad and want to increase their theological knowledge. The program offers a global perspective in its classes and allows students to participate in their courses online. The summer session features live courses that students may attend in Wisconsin.

A unique program offered by the school is its Holy Land Archaeology Project, which features an archaeological excavation in the Middle East. The program was first offered in 2014 and took place in areas like Bethlehem, Capernaum, Jericho, and Nazareth. The school conducts the program in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school also offers programs designed for future and present priests with a Pre-Theology/B.A. – M.Div. program, a Master of Divinity, and a Certificate in Priestly Formation. Future priests who choose the Master of Divinity program will engage in traditional classroom learning, as well as participate in ministry placements. The M.Div. program at Sacred Heart School of Theology normally takes four years to complete.

About Sacred Heart School of Theology

Sacred Heart School of Theology is located in Hales Corners, Wisconsin and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The school was founded with efforts by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, which is a religious community within the church of lay brothers and priests. The seminary opened in 1932 and was originally known as Sacred Heart Monastery.

Students were able to take theology and philosophy courses as long as they were members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. The seminary would eventually change its focus from classes in theology and philosophy to the preparation of men who wanted to join the priesthood. Since that time, the school has undergone some changes with the addition of a Master of Divinity program for men who are interested in joining the priesthood and a Master of Arts that is available to women and men who are interested in studying Christian theology.

Sacred Heart School of Theology Accreditation Details

Institutional accreditation for the Sacred Heart School of Theology has been granted by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The school has also been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is the accreditation organization for colleges in 19 states across the Midwest. The school was first accredited in 1995 and undergoes a process of reaccreditation every decade.

Sacred Heart School of Theology Application Requirements

Applying to the Sacred Heart School of Theology requires several documents sent from the student, as well as from third parties that will send documents directly to the seminary. To apply, students must submit a resume or curriculum vitae that lists employment history and educational background. Applicants will also write an essay of 500 to 750 words that answers several questions posed by the school.

The application process also requires a non-refundable fee of $100, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and test scores from the Miller Analogies Test. The letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores must come directly from each agency or recommender when they are sent to the school. The school offers rolling admissions for each session, but there are still application deadlines that students must meet to enroll.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Master of Divinity at Sacred Heart School of Theology is $620 per credit. Each semester, full-time students will pay $9,835, and part-time students will pay by the credit. For the Master of Arts program, students will also pay $620 per credit with all students paying for each credit for any enrollment level. Some of the other fees students might pay include a $100 application fee, a $320 fee for auditing a class, and a $150 technology fee each semester.

Students who want to live on campus will pay $6,105 per semester for room and board. Spaces are available for all full-time enrollees. Students who don’t live on campus may also purchase meals in the dining room. Breakfast and lunch are $5 per entry, and dinner is $10 per entry. Off-campus students will purchase their meal tickets from the Finance Office.

The college indicates that there are generous scholarships for students with high academic performance, as well as financial aid that may be awarded on the basis of need. Some of the options include the SHSST Tuition Grant, which is a grant to students who have a financial need. The Finance Office requires that students submit a financial aid form to qualify for the grant. There are also options for students to participate in alternative funding from their home diocese and other sources.

Lay ministers who want to pursue graduate study may qualify for the Archbishop’s Scholars Fund, which offers tuition assistance through grants from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Students with high academic merit may receive the Leo John Dehon Scholarship when they attend the Sacred Heart School of Theology.

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