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MASTER OF DIVINITY 3-YEAR HYBRID M.DIV DEGREE The Priestly Studies Program is designed for candidates to Holy Orders and others interested in advanced theological training who, due to personal circumstances, cannot commit to full-time residency at St. Sophia Seminary. It is also meant to provide theological coursework tailored for the specific needs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A (UOC-USA). The Hierarchs of the UOC-USA have directed that enrollment and completion of this program is obligatory for all candidates for ordination to the Diaconate and Priesthood in the UOC-USA. Students are accepted from all jurisdictions. COMPONENTS There are two parts to the Master of Divinity in Priestly Studies (MDiv): the Distance Learning component and the Short-Residency component. Distance Learning Component The first component of the Master of Divinity degree is the Saint Sophia Distance Learning program. This component consists of guided study, the writing of scholarly papers, and a comprehensive exam. Students are required to stay at the Seminary for two days at the end of each semester to take their exams, enjoy fellowship with faculty and other students, and participate in liturgical services. This residency, though brief, is a vital part of the student’s discernment and formation process. Prior to 2014, completion of the Distance Learning Programs at the Antiochian House of Studies (St. Stephen’s Course in Orthodox Theology), Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (ROCOR) Certificate Program in Theological Studies, and The Diaconal Formation Program (OCA), were accepted in lieu of the St. Sophia Distance Learning component. However, all UOC-USA seminarians are now required to complete the St. Sophia Distance Learning Curriculum. Seminarians who have advanced theological training may be exempted from all or part of the Distance Learning component. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The Distance Learning component satisfies the educational requirements for ordination to the Holy Diaconate. The Short-Residency (weekend) Component The second component of the Master of Divinity in Priestly Studies (MDiv) program is a Short-Residency component. It runs parallel to the Distance Learning Component (i.e. two semesters a year for three years) and may be taken concurrently with it. During this component, seminarians take part in classes and religious services once a month from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon at St. Sophia Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, New Jersey. Classes are held in a seminar format. Great emphasis is placed on extensive preparatory reading of assigned texts and the regular presentation of written assignments when classes are convened. This three-year Short-Residency component is offered to those who have completed or are concurrently enrolled in The St. Sophia Seminary Distance Learning component or who have completed a minimum of 36 credits from an accredited seminary. The latter will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Regardless, half of all credits for the MDiv must be completed at St. Sophia, and seminarians must spend at least two academic years at St. Sophia Seminary. Together, the Distance Learning component (or an approved alternative) and the Short-Residency Component confer the Master of Divinity in Priestly Studies (MDiv) and satisfy the educational requirements for the priesthood. COURSES Two courses are offered per semester in both the Short Residency and Distance Learning component, each course being a three-credit course over three years (six semesters). At the completion of this program, the students will have garnered 36 credits in residence over three years, in addition to the 36 credits obtained in the distance programs of theology or by credit transfer. Students completing 72 Credit Hours will receive the Master of Divinity Degree. For those that do not hold a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent, a Licentiate of Divinity Degree (LDiv) is conferred in its stead. CONSIDERATION FOR HOLY ORDERS The completion of the Distance Learning Component (36 Credits) or the equivalent at another seminary will qualify the candidate academically for ordination to the Holy Diaconate. The completion of the Master of Divinity Degree (72) credits will qualify the candidate academically for ordination to the Holy Priesthood. There is an additional requirement for the Holy Priesthood of one full year post-MDiv degree serving as a Deacon in a parish assignment. ORDINATION AND DISCIPLINE Above and beyond the academic and experiential requirements, candidates must qualify canonically to become candidates for ordination in the Holy Orthodox Church. Completing the Master of Divinity program in no way guarantees, offers, or implies attainment of Holy Orders. All matters of ordination are left solely to the decision of the ruling Hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. orr the seminarian’s jurisdiction. Enrollment in St. Sophia Seminary normally presupposes that the applicant subscribes to the goal of priestly or diaconal formation and professional preparation. The seminarian is expected, therefore, to conduct himself as a responsible member of the seminary community, adhering completely and without reservation to all seminary rules and regulations. Behavior on or off campus that discredits either the individual or the seminary will result in disciplinary action. The faculty retains the competency, in concert with the Church hierarchy and the disciplinary board, to review and make all decisions relative to such matters, employing ecclesiastical regulations, moral standards, and patterns of behavior traditionally required from seminarians in the Orthodox Churches. The faculty of St. Sophia Seminary, in concert with the disciplinary board, reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student for breaches in seminary discipline or deficiencies in attitude and/or academic achievement. ROOM AND BOARD Students are expected to reside at the Seminary during the Short Residency component and during final exams. They will be provided with a room at the seminary and all meals for a nominal per semester fee. Students may make alternate arrangements to reside off-campus and pay for individual meals at the seminary. Students that choose to reside off-campus must make themselves available for all services, classes, and activities. FEES (Regular tuition is $220.00 per credit hour for the regular resident program. The Priestly Studies Program is offered at a reduced rate). TUITION: $100 per credit (each course is three credits) APPLICATION FEE: $50.00 ROOM AND BOARD per semester: $250.00 (Short Residency Component) GRADUATION FEE: $100.00 TRANSCRIPT FEE: $10.00 In addition to the above, the student will be required to purchase necessary course texts and other books for seminary study. Personal and travel expenses are the responsibility of the individual student. FINANCIAL AID There is no financial aid offered to students in the Priestly Studies Program, although all students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. Short Residency Component
Distance Learning Component
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