Graduate School of Theology

Vatican Certification Core

Introduction to Theology (w/ philosophy emphasis)

Old Testament

New Testament

Church History

The Creed

The Sacraments

Morality

Prayer & Spirituality

Marriage and Family Life Specialization

Marriage and Family Life 1

Marriage and Family Life 2

Marriage and Family Life Practicum

Total Credit Hours: 33 Credits

The Marriage and Family Life program is also available in-part through Distance Learning.

The Graduate School of Theology (GST) & Program of Catholic Studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, in cooperation with the Office for Family Life at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, offers a Certificate in Marriage & Family (MF) as part of its Undergraduate Vatican-endorsed Theology Diploma program.

GSTs Marriage and Family certificate program is designed for all those engaged in parish marriage preparation teams and in initiatives that provide ongoing formation programs related to family life within parishes.

The courses in Marriage and Family are taught by staff from the Office of Family Life or by professors they designate who have expertise and experience in this area.

The goals of the joint Undergraduate Vatican Theology Diploma & MF Certificate program are:

• To foster a greater knowledge and a deeper appreciation of the Catholic Church, its theological traditions and its pastoral mission, with major emphasis on Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Church-related documents on Marriage and Family.

• To enrich the faith life and theological competence of those who are engaged in the service of Marriage and Family.

• To offer introductory training in the practical knowledge, experience, and requirements (including national and Archdiocesan guidelines) needed for those who coordinate or supervise areas of Marriage and Family in the parish setting.

• To provide practical and supervised training in various pastoral skills needed for those who serve in Marriage and Family.

• To foster the development of pastoral leadership among those who are engaged in the apostolate of Marriage and Family.

MF Program Requirements:

The MF program consists of a 24-credit Vatican-endorsed Diploma program of theology with a 9-credit specialization certificate in Marriage and Family (total of 33 credits). Students must complete both the Vatican Theology courses and the MF courses to receive the diploma/certificate, but are not required to take courses in any particular order (except the practicum as specified).

Regarding the Practicum course:

In order to qualify for enrollment in the practicum course, a candidate must have completed (or be enrolled in) all other course requirements for the MF certificate.

General Program Guidelines:

A maximum of 12 undergraduate credits in equivalent courses from other accredited programs in Theology may be accepted towards the diploma/certificate; courses taken more than ten years before the request is made, or in which a grade of at least C has not been attained, will not be accepted in transfer. Requests to transfer credits or to substitute an equivalent course for a required course must be directed to the Academic Dean of GST. The diploma/certificate program is normally completed within a four-year period of time. Credits accumulated from courses taken more than ten years past need the approval of the Academic Dean in order to be accepted.

Those who have completed the Certificate in Marriage and Family may also qualify to continue their theological studies toward another certificate in the Undergraduate theology program.

Applicants for the Certificate in Marriage and Family must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Those seeking admission to the diploma/certificate program should follow undergraduate admissions procedures.