Matriculation Tracks
Track One: Postulant for Holy Orders
Students who successfully complete the 108 course units, including at least three electives (excepting those courses for which they might have received credit by transfer or by written waiver) are eligible to receive the Bachelor of Divinity or the Master of Divinity Degree from the St. Clement Seminary. Their eligibility for Holy Orders remains at the discretion of their Ordinary, but they will have completed the required academic training. The present course listing can be viewed by clicking here.
Track Two: Lay Theologian
Students who successfully complete 12 courses consisting of the three courses from the BI-100 series and two courses each from the following list of subjects shall be eligible to receive the Certificate of Lay Theological Studies from St. Clement Seminary:
- Biblical Studies
- Church History
- Theology
- Electives and Misc Courses
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Track Three: Casual Student
Students who wish to take courses purely for personal enrichment may certainly do so, yet they must still be formally admitted into the Seminary. Such students will not receive certification unless they formally petition for admission to either Track One or Two. Generally, no more than six courses taken as a Casual Student may apply to Track One or Track Two status.
Degrees and Certificates
Authority
• The degree of Bachelor of Divinity was authorized under the California Post-Secondary Education Act of 2010 as an exception for religious schools and is granted as a first degree upon completion of the appointed Program of Studies in Track One.• The degree of Master of Divinity was authorized under the California Post-Secondary Education Act of 2010 as an exception for religious schools and is granted to students already possessing a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution upon completion of the appointed Program of Studies in Track One and a Directed Research Paper. The MDiv and the BDiv degrees are not “honorary;” nevertheless, the Seminary is not accredited and it should not be expected that other academic institutions will grant credit for work accomplished here.
• The Certificate in Lay Theological Studies was authorized by the General Episcopal Synod of the UCC at the time of the formation of the Seminary in 2007 and is to be granted upon the satisfactory completion of the appointed Pro- gram of Studies in Track Two.
• All students receive a Certificate of Completion for each course satisfactorily finished.
Candidacy Requirements
Students who are a candidate for graduation leading to a Degree or Certificate must meet the following requirements:
l. For all students, successful completion of the units as outlined in the Program of Studies in the Catalog.
2. For students who have already earned a Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and are studying for the Master’s degree, a directed research paper is also required.
3. Certification by the Rector of the satisfactory completion of all candidacy requirements.
Courses of Study
The texts provided by or otherwise required by the Seminary and course examinations are required for each course. It is the responsibility of each student to pay for his or her own text unless it is provided with the course.
Courses are taken through distance learning under the supervision of academically-qualified mentors. Courses may be modified for a student according to the availability of texts, the facilities available to the student (internet, DVD player, etc.), and the discretion of the Rector.
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Ordination
As the catalog of the Seminary states: “eligibility for Holy Orders remains at the discretion of the…Ordinary.” The degrees granted by this Seminary are a means of preparation and training for Holy Orders. The final decision concerning ordinations is vested completely with the Ordinary Bishop of the Diocese or Province. Extensive altar training will be required. This would usually be accomplished during and after course LI-301 “Introduction to Altar Training” but, where the candidate resides near a parish church, it can take place throughout his or her studies, as appropriate to the student’s status (ordination to Minor Orders, for example).
For altar training it will be necessary to travel to a church center. This could be a major expense depending on distance, etc. A background check, paid for by the postulant, is also required.
