St. Mary Seminary logo

Saint Mary Seminary

& Graduate School of Theology

EST. 1848

Current Students

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester! 

MASTER OF ARTS (THEOLOGY)
AND CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS

Thank you for choosing to study at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology!

Academic 2025-2026  Attendance Calendar

Academic Bulletin – Spring 2026

*Note: Please see Financial Policies page for the 2025-2026 Tuition cost and Financial Policies, including Refund Policy.

*Please review the 2025-2026 Catalog for more information about the academic programs.

**Please review the Master of Arts/Continuing Education Handbook

New students, please contact the Registrar to begin the admission process.

For more information, please see the General Academic Policies.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BISHOP AND LOCAL CHURCH

Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology prepares candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood and serves as a center for advanced theological education. As an academic and formational institution subsisting within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, all students are publicly connected to the Bishop and the local church, and thus should accept this role with fidelity, loyalty, and integrity. Registered students, regardless of their future vocational or professional ministerial goals, should be living a public life which is in alignment with the ethical and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

Ethical Responsibilities

Saint Mary Seminary endeavor to treat people in ethical ways. The institution does not discriminate in employment or admissions except as required by Ecclesiastical Law, Canon Law, the sacramental nature of the priesthood, and the directives of the Program for Priestly Formation 6th ed. Pertinent information regarding sexual harassment and abuse is detailed in the Seminarian and Faculty Handbooks. In addition all employees, Seminarians, and students are accountable for compliance with the Diocese of Cleveland Child Protection Policies and Procedures. These are applicable to all persons and institutions associated with the Diocese of Cleveland and may be accessed at http://www.clevelandchildprotection.org/website/.

Candidates for Graduation 2026

Students who believe that they are nearing their MA degree completion in Spring 2026 should register for MA 700 Master of Arts Capstone Symposium (1 credit – No charge). Those who register will be contacted for an orientation to the symposium process.

All capstone symposia must be completed no later than March 15, 2026. Please be alert to communications regarding formal application for graduation and measurements for academic attire. There is a $300 graduation fee payable before April 1st. More information will be sent to the candidates for graduation.

Wireless Access Credentials

A fiber optic network supports campus-wide wireless access along with a secure Barracuda firewall. See the Librarians or the Registrar for the login credentials.

Populi Learning Management System

  • All students who are currently register are entered and activated in the seminary learning management system, Populi. If you are a new student, you will receive an activation email to create your password. Please create your password and log in soon after you receive the link (or it will expire). Note: if you are already a Populi user, you will use the same account for your classes.
  • On your profile, you should see your photo.  If you do not, please send me a photo in jpeg format so our faculty can get to know you. Please send it to: [email protected]
  • On the “Student” tab on your profile you will see the courses for which you are registered for Fall 2022. Click on the course name to see course information including required Be sure to order your books early so you have them in time for the first class. Books may be ordered anywhere you prefer.Saint Mary Seminary does not have a bookstore. If you do not see the required books listed for your class, please email the instructor directly to inquire.
  • Populi will be the platform for ordinary academic and financial communications. Additional features will be introduced as needed by your If you receive an email with Populi in the title, please pay attention and be sure that you white-list this address. (Not junk!) At times your instructor or a seminary administrator (e.g., Registrar, etc. will text or email a class roster or the entire seminary student body through Populi. Please DO NOT unsubscribe from these messages.
  • On the “Financial” tab you will find your semester invoice and a new payment portal for direct, secure payment. (Please wait until you are invoiced to submit any payments.) If you prefer, you may call Theresa Damel, Accounting Manager, (440-943-7668) who can take your credit card information over the phone. Payment by personal check is also an option. If a payment plan is needed, please discuss an arrangement with Theresa. If a third party (parish or employer) is responsible for tuition, please be sure they receive the payment invoice and access to the portal or Theresa’s phone number. Students are asked to make a deposit at the beginning of the semester, and the remaining balance by the end of the semester.

PERCORSO – NEW ONLINE INTEGRATED PORTFOLIO FOR MA DEGREE STUDENTS

The character and goal of seminary and graduate theological formation is missionary and evangelistic in all its forms and requires personal and communal accompaniment. In response to this, Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology developed an integrated online portfolio for the formative and summative assessment of students preparing for leadership in ministry. Beginning Fall 2022 semester, all degree programs will be using the Percorso online portfolio.

In early fall more information on this portfolio will be sent to all NEW MA (Theology) degree students and current MA students who are in the early phase of the degree program, i.e., 15 credits completed or less. In brief, think of Percorso as a secure online file drawer where students will be uploading examples of theological class work as well as periodic theological reflections to assist in their formational journey as a missionary disciple engaged in ministry leadership. Formation in the MA degree program is not only academic, but a formation in Christian Discipleship. It is not only an academic theological pursuit, but a journey of the heart, helping the student to develop the habit of reflecting on human experience from the perspective of faith. The seminarians have been using this platform for several years, and with Fall 2022 all degree programs will begin using this tool as well. A Percorse Handbook and video tutorial will be available shortly.

LIBRARY

New students are asked to stop in the library to obtain a library card. Returning students should have their card renewed for the new academic year. Please refer to the Library section of the seminary website: https://www.stmarysem.edu/library/ for an excellent orientation to the library collections, research helps, information literacy, and other services.

BUILDING AND SECURITY GUIDELINES

Because of the residential nature of the building within the Center for Pastoral Leadership, the following guidelines have been established to protect the rightfully expected privacy of the seminary residents and to allow for the greatest possible use of the seminary facilities by non-resident students.

Non-resident students should confine their activities and movements within the CPL main building to the public areas (e.g., first-floor classrooms, the administrative corridors, the Student Dining Room, and the library. Note: Resurrection Chapel is not available until the renovation is complete.). All corridors where resident student rooms are restricted to seminarians and priests only.

Students are always to be conscious of the security of the facility. All doors should be closed and secured when entering and leaving the building. Ground floor windows should be locked when rooms are vacated. Any criminal action or emergency situation must be reported immediately to available administrative staff or faculty personnel by contacting the receptionist at the front desk. All students and staff should make themselves aware of emergency assistance procedures and be able to quickly contact police, fire, or medical emergency help when the need arises. The local police and fire departments of the City of Wickliffe have immediate access to the campus. The facility is in compliance with fire and safety codes and the campus is regularly inspected for life-safety protocols and compliance.

Fall classes are in main CPL building.  A room schedule will be posted.  Room assignments are also entered on the Course Populi Profile. Students will enter by the front glass doors by the flagpole, facing Euclid Avenue.

Please remember that security is everyone’s responsibility. Thank you for keeping our campus safe and secure.

ENTERING THE PROPERTY AND PARKING

If you have class scheduled in the main Center for Pastoral Leadership building, please use the main entrance facing Euclid Avenue. Space availability is on a first-come basis. Please LOCK YOUR CAR and do not leave valuables visible.

TIMES ON CAMPUS

Non-resident students are welcome in the Center for Pastoral Leadership facility from 8:00A.M. until 10:00 P.M. for scheduled classes and use of the library (see posted hours). After 10:00 P.M. it is expected that all non-resident students will have exited the CPL campus for the night.

PHONES

Cell phones should be turned off or switched to vibrate when carried into the building. Please do not disrupt a class lecture or discussion by taking a phone call. If it is an emergency call, please quietly leave the classroom.

NON-SMOKING FACILITY

The Center for Pastoral Leadership is a non-smoking facility. There is to be NO smoking within 50 feet of any CPL building. Smoking is not permitted in any courtyard.

MEALS

Students who are on campus for consecutive classes may purchase lunch or supper. Meal tickets are available at the front desk. Cost of meal tickets is $7.00 for Lunch and $8.50 for dinner. As a courtesy, please call the receptionist before 9:00 a.m. to sign in for meals

PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE AND ATTIRE

Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology prepares men and women for formal ministry in the Church.  Therefore personal appearance and attire should reflect ministry standards.  Commuter students are expected to dress modestly and respectfully and be well groomed for class and while on campus. Seminarians follow the house dress code and guidelines in the Handbook. The administration and faculty reserve the right to determine whether a student’s appearance is acceptable.

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES – WEATHER RELATED

An individual professor due to weather, illness, or special circumstances may cancel a class. Students are notified by text of e-mail.  If a student is unable to attend class due to weather conditions, he/she should notify his/her professor directly. The student will not be penalized due to a bad weather absence, but he/she is responsible for making up the work and obtaining notes for the class.