Admissions

Theological Education for Life, Ministry, and Mission.

St. Peter’s Seminary provides spiritually grounded, academically rigorous programs for those pursuing priesthood, lay leadership, or deep theological study. Explore the path that’s right for you.

Master of Divinity

Master of Theological Studies

Permanent Diaconate Program

Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

Parish Nursing

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

1 Peter 4:10 (NRSV) “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

A comprehensive graduate-level program that integrates academic study, pastoral training, spiritual growth, and human formation. Designed for men preparing for ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood.

Admission Requirements for the M.Div. and M.Div. (Adv.)

Academic Admission Requirements for Candidates for Ordination

Bachelor’s Degree – Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate degree, preferably a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy or its equivalent, with a minimum average of 70%, from a recognized and accredited university.
Course Requirements for Ordination Students – Applicants who possess an undergraduate degree from a recognized university, but who lack the necessary core courses in Philosophy and Religious Studies or their equivalents, register in a qualifying year as special students of the University and complete the following requirements in one academic year, making them eligible for admission to the M.Div. program. Applicants lacking only one or two of the core courses in philosophy may take them concurrently while registered in the program of theology.

The core courses are:

Philosophy 1300E – Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy 2222E – Aristotelian Logic
Philosophy 2206W/X – Modern and Post-Modern Philosophy
Philosophy 2214 – Thomistic Philosophy I
Religious Studies 2550E – History of the Catholic Church

Academic Requirements for Lay Students

Bachelor’s Degree – Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate degree, preferably a BA in philosophy or its equivalent, with a minimum average of 70%, from a recognized and accredited university.
Course Requirements for Lay Students – Lay students are required to complete three core Philosophy and Religious Studies courses (or their equivalents).

The core courses are:

Philosophy 1300E – Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy 2214 – Thomistic Philosophy I
Religious Studies 2550E – History of the Catholic Church

Applicants who have not completed these courses prior to admission may complete them concurrently with their theological studies. In those cases, Philosophy 2214 and Religious Studies 2550E may count as credits toward the M.Div. degree.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants are expected to have proficiency in the English language, that is, the ability to understand spoken and written English, and to be able to communicate effectively in English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to submit proof that they have achieved a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent.

Exceptions

The limits or exceptions to these admission requirements are as follows:

if applicants are in the process of completing their Bachelor of Arts degree, but require 4.0 courses or less to finish, they may be enrolled in the M.Div. program provided that no more than 2.0 of the courses to be completed are philosophy or religious studies qualifying core courses, and that they have the written permission of the Dean of Studies;
applicants who have not obtained the minimum average of 70% in completing their BA may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Studies;
applicants who have not completed a BA, but who qualify as mature students at Western University (i.e., are at least 21 years of age or older and have not been in school for a minimum of two years), and have completed the qualifying year courses in philosophy and religious studies, may be admitted to the M.Div. or the M.Div. (Adv.) programs. The admission of these candidates may not exceed 10% of the combined enrollment of the M.Div. and M.Div. (Adv.) programs.

Formation Admission Requirements

Applicants for the M.Div. and M.Div. (Adv.) are also considered applicants for the program of priestly formation or lay leadership. They must fulfill the specific requirements for admission to the respective programs of formation in addition to the academic admission requirements. They should consult the section of this calendar entitled “Application to Priestly or Lay Formation” for these specific requirements.

Theology for Lay Leaders and Professionals

Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

This flexible graduate program is ideal for laypersons, religious, and ministry professionals seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic theology, whether for personal growth, parish service, or continued academic study.

Admission Requirements for the M.T.S. Degree

Admission Requirements for M.T.S. Degree

Bachelor’s degree – Candidates for the M.T.S. must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree, with a B average, from an accredited university.
Philosophy prerequisite – Since some philosophical background is essential for studying Catholic theology at this level, a full-year, two semester course in Thomistic Philosophy is required. This course may be taken concurrently with theology courses as part of the M.T.S. program.
Documentation – Applicants for the Master of Theological Studies must provide the following documentation:
- an official university transcript verifying completion of an undergraduate degree;
- two letters of recommendation;
- a brief life history giving reasons for applying for the program;
  
  An interview with the Dean of Theology, or his delegate, will be conducted after these documents have been received by the Seminary.
Application deadline – The deadline for applications to the M.T.S. program is July 15 for the Fall session and November 15 for the Winter session. Exceptions to this are considered on an individual basis. All documentation is to be submitted, along with a non-refundable Application Fee of $50.00 (Canadian funds) in cheque or money order, payable to “St. Peter’s Seminary”, to: The Registrar of Theology, St. Peter’s Seminary, 1040 Waterloo Street, London, ON N6A 3Y1.
Decision – Candidates will be notified accordingly in writing by the Rector, following a review by the Seminary’s Admissions Committee.

English Proficiency Requirements

Exceptions

The limits or exceptions to these admission requirements are as follows:

if applicants are in the process of completing their Bachelor of Arts degree, but require 4.0 courses or less to finish, they may be enrolled in the M.Div. program provided that no more than 2.0 of the courses to be completed are philosophy or religious studies qualifying core courses, and that they have the written permission of the Dean of Studies;
applicants who have not obtained the minimum average of 70% in completing their BA may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Studies;
applicants who have not completed a BA, but who qualify as mature students at Western University (i.e., are at least 21 years of age or older and have not been in school for a minimum of two years), and have completed the qualifying year courses in philosophy and religious studies, may be admitted to the M.Div. or the M.Div. (Adv.) programs. The admission of these candidates may not exceed 10% of the combined enrollment of the M.Div. and M.Div. (Adv.) programs.

Serve with Knowledge and Compassion

Permanent Diaconate

Programs that prepare permanent deacons and lay leaders for meaningful roles in parish and diocesan life. Combining theological study, spiritual formation, and pastoral skills, these offerings support those called to serve in the Church.

Admission Requirements for Permanent Diaconate

Academic Requirements for Ordination Candidates

A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is preferred.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to undertake graduate-level theological studies.

Academic Requirements for Lay Students

Not applicable. This program is specifically for men who are candidates for the Permanent Diaconate.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language proficiency is required. This may be demonstrated through prior academic experience in English or standardized test scores where applicable.

Formation Requirements

Applicants must be formally accepted into the Permanent Diaconate formation process by their diocese.
Psychological assessment, letters of recommendation, and an interview process are part of the admissions discernment.

Theology for Lay Leaders and Professionals

Certificate In Pastoral Ministry

This three year program is offered for those who are seeking formation and training in ways that will foster and enrich their service in the Roman Catholic Church. Each year will focus on a specific theme.

Admissions Information for the Certificate In Pastoral Ministry

Program Format

Schedule: One Saturday per month, September to June
Duration: 3 years (Current Cycle: September 2023 – June 2026)
Location: St. Peter’s Seminary, London, ON

Registration & Contact

To learn more or begin your journey: Call Cathryn Hall at 519-433-6689 ext. 226
Email chall@dol.ca

Health Ministry

Parish Nursing

This program is designed to introduce fundamental concepts of the practice of parish nursing, which has its basis in the Christian faith and seeks health promotion with a preventative focus. It’s suitable for any registered nurse interested in integrating spirituality, health, and wholeness into their nursing practice.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Grow in Faith, Enrich Your Ministry

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, taken through King’s University College, provides the essential intellectual foundation for seminary formation. This undergraduate degree fulfills the prerequisite for entrance into the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies programs at St. Peter’s Seminary, ensuring students are well-prepared in critical thinking, ethics, and the Catholic philosophical tradition.

Admission Requirements for B.A. Philosophy

Academic Admission Requirements

Candidates entering the Seminary must meet King’s University College’s academic admission guidelines, including required high school courses and GPA. Seminary applicants begin with a Qualifying Year, fulfilling pre‑university prerequisites if needed.

Completion of first-year requirements. 1.0 course from Philosophy 1150E, 1300E, 1360E, 1361E or 1901E is recommended.

Academic Admission Requirements for Seminary Students pursuing a BA in Philosophy or the Qualifying Year Courses

Undergraduate students applying to St. Peter’s Seminary for the BA program in philosophy, or for the qualifying year, register through King’s University College and follow the requirements for students at the College, as indicated in their academic calendar or on their Web site, http://www.uwo.ca/kings.

As such, academic admission requirements for the program of Arts at the Seminary are the same as those at King’s, as published each year in the Western University calendar. They include:

applicants from Ontario require a high school diploma with a minimum average as determined by Western University;
applicants from outside Ontario must meet the requirements for university studies as determined in their own province and by Western University;
applicants seeking admission from an Ontario Secondary School must complete the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) form 101, provided by secondary school guidance offices and submitted by the school principal or guidance counsellor – on this form, it is necessary to specify the choice of university as Western University /King’s University College/Arts (the OUAC Code for Arts and Humanities is EKA);
out-of-province secondary school graduates, those who have completed a two- or three-year program at a college of applied arts and technology, mature candidates (those 21 years of age or older who have not been in school for a minimum of two years), and university transfer students, must complete the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) form 105 – contact the Registrar of Arts for specific details (the OUAC Code for Arts and Humanities is EKA);
applicants who have attained a Bachelor’s degree, and who are seeking admission as a pre-theology student should use the OUAC form 105 to register as a “special student.”

Studies to Include:

Module

6.0 courses

3.0 courses: Philosophy 2205W/X , 2206W/X, 2500F/G, 2700F/G
1.0 additional courses in Philosophy at the 2200 level or above.
2.0 additional courses in Philosophy at the 3000 level or above.

Seminarians must include the following courses for the Major module and formational requirements for priestly training:

English 1020E – Understanding Literature Today (or) English 1024E – Forms of Fiction
Philosophy 1300E – Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy 2222E – Aristotelian Logic
Philosophy 2205W/X – Ancient and Modern Philosophy
Philosophy 2206W/X – Modern and Post-Modern Philosophy
Philosophy 2214 – Thomistic Philosophy I
Philosophy 2203E – History of Scientific Thought
Philosophy 3013E – Thomistic Philosophy II
Religious Studies 1027E – Introduction to Catholic Theology
Speech 2001 – The Major Forms of Oral Discourse (strongly recommended)

Courses for the major module are offered at St. Peter’s Seminary as well as at King’s University College, Brescia University College, Huron University College, and the main campus of Western University.

Please Note:

When a seminarian applicant for the BA program in philosophy does not qualify for admission under the requirements of the University, he is normally asked to complete the requirements at a continuing education centre before applying to the Seminary.
When a mature seminarian candidate does not qualify for admission under the normal University guidelines, he may be admitted for exceptional reasons as a “special student” in preparation for theological studies. Such an applicant must qualify as a mature student (i.e., be at least 21 years of age or older and not have been in school for a minimum of two years), have experience in the field of work, and show an aptitude for post-secondary studies. He would have to have the recommendation of his Bishop and his Vocations Director as one suited for priestly ministry. He would be expected to complete the qualifying year of philosophy before embarking on theological studies.
Students of St. Peter’s Seminary are not eligible for entrance scholarships normally offered to King’s University College students. Though seminarians are students of King’s University College and Western University, these scholarships are reserved to students in residence at King’s.