General Information (in English)

General Information on Sankt Georgen

Introduction

The Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen Frankfurt am Main (Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology) is an academic seminary acknowledged by the state and by the church. It was founded in 1926 and ever since has been conducting research and instruction in the entire range of theological study, including the philosophical disciplines, humanities, and social sciences in relation to the study of theology. The seminary continues the pedagogic tradition of the Jesuit Order (Societas Jesu) and offers a qualified academic program available to everyone with the skills and aptitude to pursue higher education. Students learn how to keep apace with the fast progress of knowledge in science, how to reflect deeply on history and modernity from a philosophical and theological viewpoint, and how to succeed in their profession.

In comparison to other German theological departments, one can note a special feature of the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen. Similar to colleges on the campuses of Oxford or Cambridge, most of the professors live on campus. Moreover, the seminarians, many foreign post-graduate students, and Jesuit scholastics (i.e., students of the Jesuit Order) also live at Sankt Georgen. In addition to joint education programs, studies, and research, there is everyday communal life.

Studies, Courses, and Terms

Studies at the Philosophisch Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen comprise the following:

Magister in Catholic Theology
The Magister/Magistra theologiae degree (Mag.theol.) is the basic professional degree in philosophy and theology. The program is typically completed in five years. It is designed as the academic formation for diocesan or religious priests, academically trained non-ordained pastoral assistants working in the Church and assistants in theological research and teaching. On the basis of a solid philosophical formation, students are given a comprehensive view of theology; they are enabled to apply scholarly methodology and insights; and they acquire the knowledge and skills required for the transition into professional practice.
With regard to the contents of the study programme at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, the main focus is directed to philosophy and systematic theology, especially dogmatic theology. As proof for the ability to do scholarly research, a thesis on a theological subject (ca. 50 – 100 pages) is required. Unless already proven at the moment of enrolment, knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew is to be acquired during the first years.
The degree exceeds to some extent the degree of the first cycle according to the Apostolic Constitution "Sapientia Christiana", as it entitles - under certain conditions - to apply for a doctorate program (without having to obtain a licentiate degree before).
Post-graduate Studies
Magister or an equivalent are presupposed for post-graduate studies. Together with additional studies or exams students receive the following:
- Licenciate (Lic. theol. = STL)
- Doctorate (Dr. theol. = STD)
- after completing the Doctorate (Dr. theol.) and corresponding efforts in research and teaching, Habilitation (Dr. theol. habil.).

All academic degrees are valid in the legal domains of the state and the Church.

In addition the following accompanying programs are offered (duration: 4 semesters):

Media and public communication
Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
Missionary Ministerial work

Graduation in numbers

In the last academic year (2010/11):

24 students passed the preliminary diploma (17 with the baccalaureate in philosophy; in addition, 7 student received the baccalaureate without preliminary diploma);
11 received their diplomas;
8 received the licentiate;
3 received the doctorate.

Overview of Classes

Each semester, about 50 classes (lectures, seminars, colloquia, and tutorials) are held in the following disciplines: philosophy, biblical studies, historical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology. In addition, there were courses in the classical languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew), as well as the modern languages (Italian, Spanish, French), and intensive courses (Blockveranstaltungen, within few days) and tutorials for programs accompanying studies like Media and public communication, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and Missionary Ministerial Work. During the summer holidays, the annual intensive Latin and Greek courses were offered.

In the summer semester 2011, the following were active at Sankt Georgen:

12 Professors (seven of them Jesuits) and 2 Honorary Professors (one of them Jesuit)
4 Assistent Professors ("Dozenten") (three of them Jesuits)
11 Temporary Professors or Lecturers (two of them Jesuits)
21 Teachers for special tasks
2 Instructors (for Languages and for Church Music)

Institutes

Seminary

In the summer semester 2011, 42 seminarians were working and living together in the seminary at Sankt Georgen for their formation to priesthood. The seminary is supported by the bishops of Limburg, Hamburg, Hildesheim, and Osnabrück, whose seminarians are sent to Sankt Georgen. About 30 priests are studying and living at Sankt Georgen in order to complete postgraduate studies.

Number of Students

The entire School had in the past sommer semester 488 students, male and female. 366 were enrolled as full-time students, while 122 were guest students or participants in classes.
Of the officially enrolled students, 190 were pursuing studies for the diploma (102 in basic studies, 88 in advanced studies) or magister (40 students), while 136 were postgraduate students (for the licentiate or the doctorate).
Among the full-time students, the percentage of women is 26%, the percentage of foreigners 28%.
The percentage of foreign students is quite high, because dioceses from the whole world want their priests and students to study at Sankt Georgen in postgraduate courses. As a result, they will be qualified to teach and engage in other tasks in their home countries.

Prospects for the Graduates

The studies qualify students for pastoral positions (priest, pastoral workers, etc.) inside the Church and in theological academies, as well as for professional activities in other spheres, such as journalism, school education, administrative tasks, adult education, publishing affairs, or personnel work.

More Information About Our Graduates' Jobs

Some are seeking their vocation outside the Church. Professions in the media are of great interest to many. Due to their social competence, theologians are in demand also in the fields of public service, and other economic and social arenas.

History

What was the motivation for the founding of the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen in 1926?
1. The Jesuit Order was willing to restore its presence in the academic surroundings in Germany.
2. The diocese of Limburg was in need of its own educational institution. Initial support from the beginning was assured by the governmental authorities.
3. The main curate of Frankfurt back then intended to establish a theological faculty inside Frankfurt University, to be transferred to the Jesuit Order later.
The 75 years since Sankt Georgen's founding can be divided into three periods, namely, 1926-1950; 1951-1975; and from 1976 to the present:

1926 - 1950
The students were exclusively candidates for becoming priests sent by the dioceses of Limburg, Osnabrück, Hildesheim, Aachen, etc. Inside Sankt Georgen existed a very transparent organization: the Rector, the Chancellor of Academic Affairs and the Headmaster of the seminary were unified in one person. These three tasks require today one person each, carrying out a full-time job.

1951 - 1975
The theological faculty of the Jesuits found its way to Frankfurt, after having been established in Valkenburg in the Netherlands and in Büren, Westfalia. Henceforth, not exclusively the dioceses´ candidates, but the Jesuit scholastics, also, were studying in Sankt Georgen. However, two institutions ran simultaneously and unconnected, with proper classes of their own, respectively, including part of their own professors: the Philosophical-Theological Academy (for candidates) and the Theological Faculty SJ (for the Jesuit students). They both were united by the 1970 charter.

From 1976 to the present:
In addition to the seminarians and the scholastics, a third group appeared: lay-theologians, i.e. external students. Today, they are the majority of the students. The community of Jesuits, the Graduate School and the seminary were divided for purposes of organization and became unities of their own. What was formerly done by Jesuit brothers was slowly transferred to employees.

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Heinrich Watzka SJ, Rector
Tel.: 069/6061-219 (Secretary); Fax: 069/6061-307
e-mail:

Homepage: www.sankt-georgen.de

Foundation "Stiftung Hochschule Sankt Georgen"
President of the Committee: Prof. Dr. Hans-Winfried Jüngling SJ
Offenbacher Landstr. 224, 60599 Frankfurt am Main
Bank connection: Credit Suisse (Deutschland) AG
Account Number (Konto Nr.) 00 701 126 328
BLZ 501 205 00