Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology

What Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology does

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is a private Roman Catholic seminary established in 1932 and operated as an apostolate of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ/Dehonians), an international religious community headquartered in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. The institution provides graduate-level theological education and priestly formation across four dimensions (human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral) following the Program of Priestly Formation, 6th Edition (PPF6), and is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the Higher Learning Commission, and NC-SARA, with SEVP certification allowing F-1 visa sponsorship.

Its core academic portfolio includes a four-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) priced at $12,575 per semester, three Master of Arts pathways (Lumen Cordis day program, Cor Unum evening cohort for lay leaders at $9,500 total, and Adveniat Regnum Tuum online program for SCJ seminarians abroad), a Pontifical Baccalaureate in Theology offered through an exclusive affiliation with the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and the only U.S. Propaedeutic Stage program for men 30+. Supporting offerings include the English and Culture Studies Program (ECSP) with Bridge and Accent Modification components serving roughly 40 international students from 20 countries, the Hispanic Ministry Preparation Program, and the on-site Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies.

The institution serves approximately 170 students sponsored by 30+ U.S. and Canadian dioceses and religious orders, with revenue derived primarily from tuition, room and board ($8,450/semester for non-SCJ residents), and donations. Enrollment is facilitated through direct diocesan and religious-order sponsorship channels, supplemented by vocation-director outreach, digital marketing (website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Mailchimp newsletter), events, and earned media in outlets such as Catholic Herald and Catholic News Agency. The seminary employs 51–100 staff and faculty on an 80-acre campus in Franklin, Wisconsin, 15 minutes from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and 75 minutes from Chicago O'Hare.

Name

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology

Legal name

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology

Website

https://shsst.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is a private Roman Catholic seminary in Franklin, Wisconsin that provides Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Pontifical Baccalaureate, English and Culture Studies, and priestly formation programs to approximately 170 students sponsored by 30+ U.S. and Canadian dioceses and religious orders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education and Priestly Formation

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD), Divinity Schools (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Priestly formation
• Master of Divinity
• English language programs
• Seminary degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Master of Divinity: M.Div. degree program charged at $12,575 per semester for Fall and Spring, plus per-credit fees for May and Summer Sessions
2. Room & Board: Full-time resident seminarians (non-SCJ) pay $8,450 per semester for housing and meals
3. Master of Arts Programs: Lumen Cordis and Adveniat Regnum Tuum pathways at $780 per credit; Cor Unum cohort program at $9,500 total for two-year program
4. English & Culture Studies Certificate: ECS Immersive Program at $9,610 per semester for sponsored students; $4,805 per seven-week session for scholarship/SCJ and commuter students; Accent Modification Program at $2,016 per program
5. Donations and Support: Accepts donations for seminarian support, lay ministers (Cor Unum), seminary operations, and Catholic-Jewish dialogue through The Lux Center

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is a Roman Catholic seminary offering graduate-level theological education and priestly formation programs. It delivers the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, and Pontifical Baccalaureate in Theology (S.T.B.), along with the English and Culture Studies Program for international clergy and specialized programs such as the Propaedeutic Stage, Hispanic Ministry Preparation, and The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies. Formational and academic programs serve sponsored seminarians from dioceses and religious orders as well as lay students pursuing ministry formation.

Product overview

Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is a Roman Catholic seminary offering a unified portfolio of theological education and priestly formation programs. The institution provides Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees (with three distinct pathways: Lumen Cordis for day classes, Cor Unum for lay evening cohort, and Adveniat Regnum Tuum for international online), along with a Pontifical Baccalaureate in Theology affiliated with Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. Supporting programs include the English and Culture Studies Program with Bridge and Accent Modification components, Hispanic Ministry Preparation, and The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies. Formation follows the PPF6 model through Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration, and Vocational Synthesis stages, with certificates and continuing education available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cor Unum: A Master of Arts pathway (One Heart) that identifies and develops lay leaders with the courage to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's reconciling love in word and action. It is a cohort-based evening program for lay students.
• Lumen Cordis
• Adveniat Regnum Tuum
• English and Culture Studies Program (ECSP)
• The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) A four-year graduate theological degree preparing men for ordination to the Catholic priesthood. Curriculum follows the Program of Priestly Formation 6th Edition with formation across four dimensions (human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral) and is taught by faculty holding doctorates from Notre Dame, Marquette, Catholic University, Cornell, and pontifical universities in Rome. Tuition: $12,575 per semester for resident seminarians.
• Pontifical Baccalaureate in Theology (S.T.B.) An ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) offered through Sacred Heart's affiliation with the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Sacred Heart is the only American seminary with this affiliated institute. The degree is granted to qualified students as recognition of theological study equivalent to the Roman pontifical standard.
• Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) - Lumen Cordis Pathway A flexible daytime Master of Arts in Theology pathway offering concentrations in Scripture or Systematic Theology. Classes run alongside M.Div. seminarians in fall, spring, and May sessions; completable in two years of full-time study or at a slower pace. Priced at $780 per credit for courses and thesis.
• Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) - Cor Unum Cohort Pathway An evening and Saturday cohort-based Master of Arts in Theology pathway for lay leaders, emphasizing systematic theology, evangelization, and pastoral leadership. Meets Monday evenings 6:10-9:00 pm plus monthly Apostolic Saturdays. Two-year cohort tuition frozen at $9,500 total.
• Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) - Adveniat Regnum Tuum Pathway A fully online Master of Arts pathway designed for Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ) seminarians living abroad who seek to deepen their theological knowledge through seven fully online courses. ATS-approved for comprehensive distance education delivery.
• Propaedeutic Stage Program The only Propaedeutic Stage program offered by any U.S. Catholic seminary, providing 12-month to two-year preparatory formation for men 30+ (second-career/later-vocation candidates). Emphasizes human and spiritual development, Catholic doctrine, Scripture, and spiritual traditions, and operates on campus at Dehon House or off-site at diocesan formation houses.
• Hispanic Ministry Preparation Program A formation program preparing seminarians and clergy for ministry in Hispanic/Latino Catholic communities. Focuses on intercultural ministry, pastoral language skills, and pastoral preparation for bicultural ministry.
• Certificate in Priestly Formation A certificate program providing ordination preparation for sponsored seminarians not pursuing the full Master of Divinity degree. Delivers the academic components of priestly formation aligned with the same PPF6 framework as the M.Div.
• English and Culture Studies Program (ECSP) A residential, fully immersive English language program for international seminarians, priests, and religious brothers and sisters. Offers instruction from beginner to advanced levels combined with intercultural preparation for Catholic ministry in the United States. Tuition: $9,610 per semester for sponsored students; $4,805 per seven-week session for SCJ/scholarship students.
• Accent Modification Program A 12-week pronunciation program for clergy and church workers to improve English pronunciation for preaching and catechesis. Documented outcomes include up to 70% reduction in mispronounced phonemes for typical students, with lifetime access to online resources. Tuition: $2,016 per program.
• ECS Bridge Program An academic English bridge program for international seminarians preparing to enter M.Div. or M.A. studies. Provides intensive reading and writing practice with dedicated faculty and a capstone project to support successful academic transition.
• The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies A center dedicated to deepening understanding, respect, and relationship between Catholic and Jewish traditions. Offers courses, guest lectures, interfaith dialogues, community outreach, formation enrichment, and pilgrimages, founded in the spirit of Nostra Aetate. Unique among U.S. Catholic seminaries.
• Continuing Formation Programs Professional development programs for priests and lay ministers including the Fall Dehon Lecture or Symposium, Winter Preaching Conference, Summer Biblical Pilgrimage, and seasonal workshops and retreats for ongoing priestly and ministerial development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of MDiv graduates in 2024 and 2025 ordained and employed as priests
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSacred Heart received official confirmation from the Dicastery for Culture and Education approving affiliation with the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Gregorian University through the Institutum Theologiae Sint Unum. This allows qualified students to receive the Gregorian's ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Theology (S.T.B.). Sacred Heart is the only American seminary with this affiliated institute. The affiliation is ad quinquennium experimenti gratia (for a standard five-year period).
• Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ/Dehonians)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe seminary is an apostolate of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, an international religious community with US headquarters in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. The order's founder Venerable Leo John Dehon valued education, had a passion for priesthood, and was committed to social justice. SCJ provides financial support for students and operates the seminary as one of their apostolates.
• Nearby Catholic College (Unnamed)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSacred Heart collaborates with a nearby Catholic college for students who need to finish their undergraduate degree as part of the pre-theology program.
• Dioceses and Religious Orders (30+ Sponsors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 30 dioceses and religious orders send seminarians to Sacred Heart, including Archdiocese for the Military Services, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Diocese of Albany, Diocese of Hamilton, Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Diocese of Green Bay, Diocese of La Crosse, Diocese of Madison, and Priests of the Sacred Heart, among many others.
• International Religious Orders (ECS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational orders send clergy for English & Culture Studies including Priests of the Sacred Heart (Province of Congo, Province of Indonesia, Province of Brazil São Paulo, Province of South Brazil), Congregation of the Holy Cross (Province of Haiti), Salesians of Don Bosco (Vice-Province of Haiti), Order of Friars Minor (Capuchin, Province of Ethiopia), and others.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mundelein Seminary / University of St. Mary of the Lake: Major U.S. Catholic seminary offering M.Div. and pre-theology programs under the Program of Priestly Formation with wide diocesan sponsorship — the closest large-scale institutional comparator to Sacred Heart in scope and mission.
• Theological College (Catholic University of America): National seminary at The Catholic University of America providing priestly formation across PPF stages with broad diocesan sponsorship — directly comparable in U.S. seminary market positioning.
• Dominican House of Studies: Dominican-run house of formation in Washington, DC offering philosophical and theological formation for religious-order seminarians — comparable in religious-order sponsorship model and theological focus.
• Catholic Theological Union: Chicago-based graduate school of theology offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. for both clergy and laity, with strong ecumenical and lay formation focus — highly comparable to Sacred Heart's Cor Unum and Lumen Cordis lay pathways.
• Mount St. Mary's Seminary: Major U.S. seminary (Emmitsburg, MD) offering priestly formation under PPF6 for diocesan and religious-order seminarians — directly competes for the same sponsor dioceses sending students to Sacred Heart.
• St. John Vianney Seminary: Catholic seminary in Denver focused heavily on second-career and older candidates, directly overlapping with Sacred Heart's Propaedeutic Stage for Men 30+ niche and adult vocation formation.
• Pontifical College Josephinum: Pontifical seminary in Columbus, Ohio offering priestly formation including pontifical degrees — directly comparable to Sacred Heart on the pontifical-affiliation angle and U.S. diocesan sponsorship.
• Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology: Benedictine-run seminary offering M.Div. and Master of Arts in theological studies for both seminarians and lay students — directly comparable on program portfolio and dual-track (clergy/lay) model.
• St. Mary's Seminary and University: Oldest Catholic seminary in the U.S. offering the M.Div. and priestly formation in the same four pillars model, with strong diocesan sponsorship — directly comparable in offering and target market to Sacred Heart.
• Holy Apostles Seminary and College: Cromwell, CT seminary deliberately oriented to second-career and older candidates, including international seminarians — directly competitive with Sacred Heart's Propaedeutic Stage and ECS programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYi-dUVh-MltHb-xvCySdGg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/SacredHeartSeminaryAndSchoolOfTheology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shsst
• Instagraminstagram.com/sacred.heart.sst

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology