St Marys Seminary Baltimore, MD SOT catalog 2019
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<strong>St</strong>. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute<br />
<strong>St</strong>. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute Graduates <strong>2019</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong>. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute(EI) is a division<br />
of <strong>St</strong>. Mary’s <strong>Seminary</strong> & University<br />
which offers accredited ecumenical theological<br />
education at the Master of Arts and DMin<br />
levels to qualified men and women in the<br />
greater <strong>Baltimore</strong> area. The EI provides<br />
opportunities for personal or professional<br />
enrichment; preparation for voluntary or professional<br />
leadership in a church, school, or<br />
community organization; and a basic theological<br />
foundation for ministry.<br />
The initial idea of an ecumenical program in<br />
theology in <strong>Baltimore</strong> for men and women of<br />
all faiths began in 1967. A small group of clergy<br />
and laity from a number of denominations<br />
was exploring the possibility of establishing a<br />
graduate theological program in the city.<br />
Based on these discussions, <strong>St</strong>. Mary’s<br />
<strong>Seminary</strong> & University agreed to offer to the<br />
public a graduate evening program in theology.<br />
The <strong>Seminary</strong> saw this as an important<br />
way to serve the <strong>Baltimore</strong> community as part<br />
of its response to the decrees of the Second<br />
Vatican Council (1962-1965). <strong>St</strong>. Mary’s<br />
<strong>Seminary</strong> & University began the Ecumenical<br />
Institute of Theology in the fall of 1968.<br />
Today the EI’s student body is both interdenominational<br />
and interracial. Many of the<br />
women and men who attend classes are<br />
enrolled in one of the two masters degree<br />
programs (Master of Arts in Theology or<br />
Master of Arts in Church Ministries) or the<br />
recently accredited doctoral (D.Min.) program.<br />
Some students are enrolled in an M.<br />
Div. partnership program, studying at the EI<br />
as part of their work towards a Master of<br />
Divinity through Lancaster Theological<br />
<strong>Seminary</strong>. Some are pursuing graduate certificate<br />
programs, including post-Masters<br />
Certificate of Advanced <strong>St</strong>udies, CONNECT:<br />
Faith, Health & Medicine or certificates in<br />
Biblical <strong>St</strong>udies or Spirituality. Other students<br />
are pursuing courses for credit or as auditors<br />
for personal enrichment. In a typical year,<br />
there are slightly more women than men.<br />
About one-third of the student body is<br />
African-American. The student body also<br />
includes Asian, Hispanic, and other minority<br />
students. With respect to religious tradition,<br />
the largest group of students is Roman<br />
Catholic. Over the years, many students from<br />
the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian/<br />
Anglican, non-denominational, Presbyterian,<br />
Lutheran traditions, Pentecostals, Disciples<br />
of Christ, Mennonites, Brethren, Quakers,<br />
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