Admission requirements

Getting started is simple and straightforward. This program does not require a GRE for admission. Here are the steps to enrolling in the M.T.S. degree program:

• Arrange for your official transcripts, evidencing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrating a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, to be mailed by your undergraduate college or university directly to the M.T.S. program at St. Norbert College, 100 Grant Street, De Pere WI 54115.
• Prior to enrollment, you must have earned a minimum of six credits in theology/religious studies from an accredited institution. You may obtain these credits through Dayton University. Please talk to your director with any questions.
• Send in three letters of recommendation using our form.
• Complete the application form.
• Write a 500-word essay explaining what motivated you to apply to the M.T.S. program. Please also address your future ministerial hopes and expectations and how you see this program helping you achieve these goals. This essay will be used as an assessment of your writing skills.
• If you have not already done so, arrange a personal interview with the director at your preferred location, following the submission of the items listed above.

Note: The Admission Policy Committee will make admission decisions based on the above criteria as well as other guidelines it may establish to determine your readiness for graduate work in theology. Candidates are conditionally admitted until completion of nine credits. Six of the nine credits must be from core courses. After completion of nine credits, students are required to request formal admittance.

Transcripts and/or application fee can be mailed to:

St. Norbert College - Master of Theological Studies
100 Grant Street, Boyle Hall 417
De Pere, WI 54115 

Certificate of Theological Competency Admission Requirements

• Arrange for your official transcripts, demonstrating a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, to be mailed by your undergraduate college or university to the coordinator of the M.T.S. program at St. Norbert College, evidencing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Prior to enrollment, you must have completed a minimum of six credits in theology/religious studies from an accredited institution. You may obtain these credits through Dayton University. Please talk to your director with any questions.
• Complete the application form.
• Write a 500-word essay explaining what motivated you to consider the Certificate of Theological Competency? What are your future ministerial hopes and expectations and how do you see this certificate helping you achieve these goals?
• Arrange with the program coordinator at your preferred location a personal interview following the submission of the items listed above.

Non-degree Program Admission Requirements

St. Norbert College welcomes applications from all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds. All applications are carefully and thoroughly reviewed. We are committed to making a fair and timely decision on your application.

• Complete the application form. 
  Arrange for your official transcripts, evidencing a bachelor’s degree from and accredited institution, to be mailed by your undergraduate college or university directly to the coordinator of the M.T.S. program at St. Norbert College.

Audit Program Admission Requirements

Applicants may choose to audit any M.T.S. courses. For those choosing to audit, evidence of a bachelor's degree is not required as credits taken as an audit are not earned credits and no letter grade will be given for the course. The tuition for an audit is half the cost of the tuition for earned credits.

Complete the application form.

Students who pursue the full M.T.S. degree program may find themselves working for the church or diocese, or working as spiritual directors, chaplains, religious educators or teachers in an undergraduate program.

Core Courses (3 credits each for a total of 18 credits)

• THEO 501 Systematic Theology and Theological Method

• THEO 502 Historical Development of Christian Tradition

• THEO 503 Scripture and Biblical Interpretation

• THEO 504 Christian Ethics

• THEO 505 Christology

• THEO 506 The Nature and Mission of the Church

Elective Courses (2 credits each for a total of 10 credits) – Students should choose five of the elective courses.

• THEO 520 History and Models of Catechesis

• THEO 531 Spiritual Skills I (3 credits)

• THEO 532 Spiritual Skills II (3 credits)

• THEO 522 Faith Development

• THEO 540 Principles of Liturgy

• THEO 541 Sacramental Theology

• THEO 560 Models of Ministry and Leadership in the Church

• THEO 576 Theology and Practice of Pastoral Care

• THEO 578 Theologies of Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

• THEO 580 Foundations of Spirituality

• THEO 579 Enculturation and Evangelization

• THEO 589 Special Topics

• THEO 590 Independent Study (prior approval required)

• THEO 594 Theological Practicum (prior approval required)

Also required for degree completion

• THEO 599 Portfolio (0 credits)

• THEO 510 Integrative Colloquium (2 credits)

• THEO 512 Master’s Thesis Project I (1 credit)

• THEO 513 Master's Thesis Project II (1 credit)

• Maintenance of a minimum grade-point average of 3.0

These requirements must be completed within eight summers of the starting date in the program.

This is available if you have a bachelor’s degree in some other area and are seeking to enhance and enrich your theological background. You should have at least a foundational knowledge of Scripture and theology before entering the certificate program.

The certificate program requires you to complete the core theological courses (THEO 501-506) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

• THEO 501 Systematic Theology and Theological Method

• THEO 502 Historical Development of Christian Tradition

• THEO 503 Scripture and Biblical Interpretation

• THEO 504 Christian Ethics

• THEO 505 Christology

• THEO 506 The Nature and Mission of the Church

Final paper: The paper should demonstrate knowledge of the core areas of theology and the ability to apply that knowledge to a particular situation. The paper should be action-oriented, describe some plan of action in a special field and reflect a theological rationale. The action described and recommended should derive from and be consistent with a theologically informed opinion.

St. Norbert College will refund student fees (except those indicated as nonrefundable) according to the refund policy schedule set for each course; please contact the bursar’s office or the M.T.S. office for the specific refund schedule. Requests for refunds and notification of withdrawal must be made in writing and addressed to the coordinator or director of the M.T.S. program. Mere cessation of attendance does not constitute withdrawal.

Yes, students may start in the program during summer sessions. We make every effort to accommodate the needs of our admitted students with regard to entry points.

No; however, all students are required to have successfully completed a minimum of six credits in theology/religious studies from an accredited institution.

At the De Pere site, classes usually are held on campus on weekday evenings (Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays) or Saturday mornings. At the New Mexico site, classes usually are taught on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays. Classes are sometimes held virtually or in a hybrid format, depending on the course and the needs of the students.

Classroom attendance policies are set at the discretion of faculty; there is not a general attendance policy that applies broadly to the program. It is recommended that any schedule conflicts be discussed with faculty prior to registering for a course.

Thirty-two credits are required for graduation. Eighteen credits are earned through the core courses and 10 are earned through elective courses. The course work is completed with a two-credit colloquium course, which prepares students for the thesis. This course is typically offered only in the summer semester in De Pere and fall semester in New Mexico. The final two credits are earned with the completion of the thesis, which is split between the two semesters directly following the colloquium.

Each student sets his or her own pace for the program, based on personal and professional schedules. Under normal conditions, students at the De Pere site can complete course work in four to five semesters, and at the New Mexico site in six semesters with the thesis then taking an additional two semesters. Completion within seven years of the student’s start of the program is required, though a student may apply for an exception, barring special circumstances.

The Certificate of Theological Competency typically is for those students who already have a master’s degree in another area but lack a theological background. Students working toward the certificate take all six of the core courses and complete a final paper.

Courses from other programs may be considered upon individual review. Except under special circumstances, up to six credits can transfer.

At the request of the applicant, the program director will review the student’s or applicant’s request and determine if a course is transferable. The course description must be submitted as well as the course syllabus, if available. The official transcript from the granting institution will be needed to complete the approved transfer.