Franciscan School of Theology
The Franciscan School of Theology (FST) has been a major part of California’s history. In fact, the Franciscans have been teaching theology and serving California’s diverse communities for over 154 years. Now located in Berkeley, California, the school has come a long way from the time it was chartered in 1854 as an apostolic college under the name of Mission of Barbara. Initially offering collegiate courses for lay men, the school developed a four-year high school seminary program in 1896. In 1901, the high school became an independent entity and in 1929, the college followed suit and over time expanded its curriculum and became a four-year liberal arts college. In 1968, the school was renamed Franciscan School of Theology.
FST aims to train students to become worthy professional ministers of the Roman Catholic Church and to prepare them in careers in theological education. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs through various majors. Some of the degrees offered by FST include Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts in partnership with the Graduate Theological Union, a consortium of independent seminaries and theological schools. Whereas the school began as only one of the many Franciscan seminaries in the United States, FST is now the only Franciscan seminary engaged in the training of professional ministers for the Church.
Cost of tuition for academic year 2009-2010 at FST is US$6,175 per semester for full-time undergraduate students and US$525 per unit for part-time. Financial Aid is available to qualified students in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. The cost of tuition does not include fees for on-campus housing which is available and offered to students who are interested to avail themselves of it.
For more information about admissions, financial aid or online learning opportunities such as distance education degree programs and online classes, please contact Franciscan School of Theology.
