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Santa Clara University - Berkeley Campus
Jesuit School of Theology

Academics

Academics

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At the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, theological education and ministerial formation are informed by our rich Ignatian heritage and the lived stories of each member of our community. The academic experience at JST-SCU is one of becoming all God imagines for us, our communities, and our world.

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Navigate here to Graduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees

JST-SCU provides a variety of graduate degree paths that equip students for a diverse range of professions and vocations. These programs facilitate innovative theological education and ministerial formation experiences tailored to students' needs through hybrid/flexible course options, added certificates, and field education opportunities.

JST-SCU students
Navigate here to Ecclesiastical Degrees
Ecclesiastical Degrees

Embracing a synodal approach that empowers women and men, JST-SCU's ecclesiastical degree programs grant degrees in the name of the Holy See through the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University by virtue of its status as an Ecclesiastical Faculty accredited by the Vatican Congregation of Catholic Education.

Certificate graduates from IH
Navigate here to Continuing Education and Formation
Continuing Education and Formation
  • The Instituto Hispano offers theological and pastoral formation for Hispanic leaders through workshops, courses, and certificates. Over three and a half decades, more than 1,500 Hispanic pastoral leaders at the parish and diocese levels have gone through Instituto Hispano's programs.
  • The Renewal Program provides an ideal setting for renewal and replenishment for those planning a sabbatical centered around theological study.
  • The Non-Degree Program is recommended for persons who have as their primary objective an unstructured period for general theological renewal or pastoral training.

Unique Aspects of the JST-SCU

Academic Experience

 

With a faculty of renowned scholars and dedicated mentors, JST-SCU offers rigorous academic programs that foster spiritual and intellectual growth. Through our membership in the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and partnerships with UC Berkeley, JST-SCU students have access to more than 700 courses each year.

JST-SCU emphasizes a theology of justice and encounter, rooted in Jesuit tradition and committed to serving local communities. Our graduates are empowered to live theology and transform their world, working toward a shared future where the good news of the Gospel lives in the communities we serve.

JST offers generous institutional scholarship packages to all applicants. Every student that applies for a JST scholarship is guaranteed a partial-tuition scholarship. Additionally, JST awards full-tuition scholarships each year. To learn more about the JST’s scholarships and the application process visit our scholarships page.

As a member school of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and graduate school of Santa Clara University, JST-SCU students have access to a wealth of academic resources and ecumenical conversations. In addition to the GTU library, students have access to the libraries at SCU and UC Berkeley.

JST students benefit from SCU's unique blend of technology, social consciousness, and Jesuit values, providing a rich environment for theological reflection and engagement with contemporary issues.

With a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, JST-SCU is a unique place for intellectual, spiritual, and ministerial formation. This commitment to being a global center for the study of theology is a centerpiece of our strategic plan.

What are Students Saying?

 

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Being at JST, you hear different voices from different cultures, with different expressions of faith, and we gather together and learn from one another. This shared space has opened what I love about theology and ministry.

Hector Chavez, M.T.S. '23

I am grateful to study at JST-SCU because it continues to stretch my perspective to help me to grow. In a world that is so divided, it feels critical now more than ever to be in dialogue with other faith communities and to do so with an openness to be enriched by and listening to our whole human family.

Laryn Kovalik, VDMF, M.Div. '25
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