Holy Apostles College and Seminary

What Holy Apostles College and Seminary does

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution of higher education founded in 1957 in Cromwell, Connecticut, and operated under the auspices of the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (MSA). It delivers accredited programs across the undergraduate (Associate and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Theology, Philosophy, History, English, and Sacred Art), graduate (MA in Theology with eight concentrations, MA in Philosophy with five, MA in Pastoral Studies with seven, Master of Sacred Scripture, and Master of Divinity), and now doctoral levels, with a PhD in Theology launching in Fall 2026. Seminary formation tracks including the House of Discernment, Propaedeutic Year, and Permanent Diaconate Program serve men preparing for priesthood alongside international seminarians.

Programs are delivered via two channels: 100% online asynchronous coursework through the Populi Learning Management System, with live synchronous seminars added at the doctoral level, and on-campus residential formation at the Cromwell campus (33 Prospect Hill Rd). The institution is dually accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), and authorized by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, making it eligible for federal financial aid and VA benefits.

The business model combines subscription-style tuition revenue across multiple degree tiers with one-time fees for graduation and regalia, federal and VA financial aid flow-through, auxiliary services, and charitable donations channeled through an annual Gala. Revenue generation is supported by personal admissions counselors, rolling admissions, and targeted marketing via the school's website, social channels, and earned media placements such as the Cardinal Newman Society Newman Guide (undergraduate since 2007, graduate since 2025) and Four County Catholic. The institution serves a globally distributed customer base of seminarians, religious sisters, lay Catholic professionals, undergraduates, and incoming doctoral students, with the online platform providing the primary growth lever beyond the U.S. residential program.

Name

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Legal name

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Website

https://holyapostles.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a private Catholic institution in Cromwell, Connecticut, offering accredited online and residential programs from associate through doctoral levels in theology, philosophy, pastoral studies, and seminary formation, serving seminarians, religious, and lay students globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Catholic Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Catholic higher education
• Theology graduate programs
• Online seminary formation
• Pastoral ministry training
• Philosophy graduate degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Cromwell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Holy Apostles generates primary revenue from tuition charged to undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate tuition has been frozen for four consecutive years (2024-2027) demonstrating commitment to affordability. Graduate tuition funds advanced degree programs including MA, MDiv, and upcoming PhD programs. Additional fees include graduation fees covering administrative costs, diploma printing and shipping.
2. Federal and State Financial Aid: The institution participates in federal financial aid programs including Pell Grants, student loans, and veteran VA benefits. Federal student aid represents a significant revenue stream and enables access for eligible students.
3. Donations and Gala Revenue: Annual Gala events and donation campaigns generate charitable contributions to support the institution's mission. The Gala at Saint Clements Castle & Marina nearly doubled support in 2026 compared to prior year.
4. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from auxiliary services including graduation regalia (caps, gowns, hoods), transcript requests, and other student services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a Catholic higher education institution offering undergraduate (Associate and Bachelor of Arts), graduate (MA in Theology, MA in Philosophy, MA in Pastoral Studies, Master of Sacred Scripture, Master of Divinity), and doctoral (PhD in Theology, launching Fall 2026) programs. Programs are delivered through both a 100% online asynchronous Learning Management System with global reach and on-campus residential seminary formation at the Cromwell, Connecticut campus, serving seminarians, religious sisters, lay ministers, and Catholic professionals.

Product overview

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a NECHE and ATS accredited institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of faithfully Catholic educational programs. The portfolio includes undergraduate degrees (Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Theology, Philosophy, History, English, and Sacred Art), graduate degrees (MA in Theology with 8 concentrations, MA in Philosophy with 5 concentrations, MA in Pastoral Studies with 7 concentrations, Master of Sacred Scripture, Master of Divinity), and the newly launched PhD in Theology (100% online). Certificate programs at graduate and post-masters levels, seminary formation programs, and high school dual enrollment options round out the offerings. Programs are delivered both online via the Populi Learning Management System and on-campus at the Cromwell, Connecticut location. Library services provide extensive digital and physical resources supporting academic research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs (Associate and Bachelor of Arts) Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Liberal Arts, Theology, Philosophy, History, English in the Humanities, and Sacred Art, offered to high school graduates and adult learners.
• MA in Theology Master of Arts in Theology with eight concentrations: Bioethics, Bioethics NCBC, Church History, Dogmatic Theology, General Studies, Moral Theology, Sacred Scripture, and Thomistic Studies.
• MA in Philosophy Master of Arts in Philosophy with five concentrations: Christian Wisdom, Ethics, General Studies, History, and Systematic.
• MA in Pastoral Studies Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with seven concentrations: Apologetics, Catechetics, General Studies, Marriage & Family, Pastoral Counseling, Spiritual Direction, and Youth & Young Adult.
• Master of Sacred Scripture Master of Sacred Scripture graduate degree program for students pursuing advanced biblical and scriptural formation.
• Master of Divinity Master of Divinity (MDiv) program for seminarians and non-seminarians preparing for ministry and priestly formation, including the MDivNE (Master of Divinity in the New Evangelization) variant.
• PhD in Theology First faithfully Catholic 100% online PhD in Theology with four concentrations: Sacred Scripture, Thomistic Studies, Moral and Spiritual Theology, and Dogmatic and Historical Theology. Delivered via asynchronous coursework with live synchronous seminars. Accredited by ATS and NECHE.
• Seminary Formation Programs On-campus residential seminary formation including House of Discernment, Propaedeutic Year, Discipleship Program, Master of Divinity for Seminarians, Master of Divinity for Non-Seminarians, Permanent Diaconate Program, Bachelor of Arts – Philosophy, Certificate in Philosophical Studies, and Certificates of Propaedeutic Studies.
• Graduate and Post-Masters Certificate Programs Post-baccalaureate graduate certificates (Christian Wisdom, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Pastoral Counseling) and post-masters certificates in Theology, Philosophy, and Pastoral Studies for students who have completed master's degrees.
• High School Take Credit! Program Partnership with Angelicum Academy offering dual enrollment and college credit opportunities for high school and homeschool students, providing a pathway to begin Catholic higher education.
• Holy Apostles Library Services Digital and physical library resources including 60,000+ print volumes, eBook collections (230,000+ titles), 200+ databases, interlibrary loan services, research assistance, citation guidance, and unique Catholic collections (Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, John Paul II Bioethics).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 students enrolled with largest enrollment in history
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cardinal Newman SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with Cardinal Newman Society. Holy Apostles undergraduate programs featured in Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College since first edition in 2007. Graduate programs added to the Guide in 2025 for philosophy, theology, pastoral studies and more. Recognition requires upholding Catholic moral and doctrinal teaching, promoting faithful Catholic intellectual life, and ensuring faculty and curriculum remain loyal to the Magisterium. Patrick Reilly, president of Cardinal Newman Society, serves as adjunct professor at Holy Apostles.
• Angelicum AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for high school and homeschool programs allowing students to earn college credits through the Take Credit! Program. Provides pathway for young students to begin Catholic higher education.
• Four County Catholic (Archdiocese of Hartford)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured in Four County Catholic publication as a 'hidden gem in Cromwell' with global impact. Showcases unique mission and growing enrollment. Published by Diocese of Norwich.
• Saint Clements Castle & MarinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for annual Gala fundraising event. Located in Portland, CT. Hosts Holy Apostles community celebration, keynote speakers, Bishop of Norwich, and auction to advance the institution's mission.
• EBSCO Information ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides access to EBSCOhost databases including Academic Search Premier, ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials Plus, Philosopher's Index Full Text, Religion & Philosophy Collection, and eBook Academic Collection (230,000+ titles). Critical infrastructure for online and on-campus library resources.
• Diocese of NorwichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoly Apostles is located within Diocese of Norwich. Bishop of Norwich presides over annual Mass of the Holy Spirit marking academic year start and commencement ceremonies. Bishop Richard F. Reidy (Sixth Bishop of Norwich) participates in institutional events and gala.
• Pope John Paul II Bioethics CenterminorOthersUnique library collection dedicated to Pope John Paul II Bioethics, reflecting institutional focus on Catholic moral teaching and bioethics research.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Franciscan University of Steubenville: Catholic university known for faithful Catholic identity across undergraduate, graduate, and online programs in theology, philosophy, and counseling. Comparable to Holy Apostles in the Newman Guide, but operates at larger scale with a strong residential undergraduate base.
• Catholic University of America: The national university of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and the pontifical university. Overlaps with Holy Apostles in Catholic theology, philosophy, and seminary formation but operates at vastly larger scale with broader degree offerings including law, nursing, and engineering.

Direct peers

• Pontifical College Josephinum: A pontifical seminary and college in Ohio that forms priests through the Master of Divinity program. Direct peer to Holy Apostles' seminary functions, with similar Catholic identity, priesthood formation focus, and residential seminary model.
• Mount St. Mary's Seminary (St. Mary's Seminary and University): Catholic seminary in Baltimore, MD, offering Master of Divinity and theological degrees under the Sulpician tradition. Directly comparable in mission (priestly formation), accreditation (ATS), and Catholic graduate offerings.
• Christ the King Seminary: Catholic seminary in East Aurora, NY, offering priestly formation and lay ministry programs. Comparable in serving a specific U.S. region for seminary and graduate Catholic education.
• St. Charles Borromeo Seminary: Catholic seminary in Philadelphia affiliated with the Archdiocese, offering priestly formation and graduate theological degrees. Overlaps with Holy Apostles in seminary formation, Master of Divinity, and lay ministry programs.
• Augustine Institute: Catholic graduate school offering online master's degrees in theology, evangelization, and Catholic studies. A direct competitor in the online faithful-Catholic graduate education space where Holy Apostles pioneered delivery.
• University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary): Major U.S. Catholic seminary operated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, offering pre-theology, MDiv, and graduate theology degrees. Comparable in seminary formation scope and ATS-accredited theological education.
• Sacred Heart Major Seminary: Catholic seminary in Detroit, MI, accredited by ATS and HLC, offering formation for diocesan priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers. Comparable to Holy Apostles in combining seminary formation with lay ministry graduate programs.
• Catholic Distance University: Fully online Catholic university offering associate, bachelor, and master's degrees in theology, philosophy, and Catholic studies. Closest direct competitor to Holy Apostles' asynchronous online Catholic education model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HolyApostlesedu
• Facebookfacebook.com/363243014873
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/holy-apostles-college-and-seminary
• Instagraminstagram.com/holyapostlesct

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Holy Apostles College and Seminary