
Founded in 1950, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius was established to prepare clergy for the Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States. Its identity remains tied to that purpose, although its theological education also serves qualified students who are not preparing for ordination.
The seminary belongs to the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic tradition, an Eastern Catholic tradition in communion with Rome. That history matters to applicants: its worship, theology, and approach to formation differ from those of a Latin-rite Catholic seminary or a general graduate school of religion.
The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius is a specialized graduate theological school, not a university organized into multiple undergraduate colleges. Its central academic offering is the Master of Divinity, a professional degree associated with preparation for ministry. Graduate theological study also provides an option for applicants pursuing education rather than priestly formation.
Coursework centers on subjects such as Scripture, theology, church history, liturgy, and pastoral practice through the perspective of the Christian East. Applicants should distinguish the academic requirements of a degree from the additional formation and ecclesiastical approval that may apply to a candidate for ordination.
The seminary is at 3605 Perrysville Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the city's North Side. It has a focused seminary setting rather than a large, multi-campus university environment.
Pittsburgh offers access to parishes, cultural institutions, and other educational communities, but students should plan around the practicalities of travel to a single campus. Those expecting to commute should check their route and schedule before enrolling; those considering residence should confirm the seminary's current housing arrangements directly.
The seminary's stated purpose is to educate and form people for service in the Byzantine Catholic Church, particularly candidates for priesthood. Its academic and community life reflect the theology, liturgy, and spirituality of the Byzantine Christian tradition.
That religious identity is an educational consideration, not merely a campus affiliation. Prospective students should expect Eastern Christian worship and formation to have a more prominent role than they would at a nonsectarian graduate school. The academic degree a student seeks and any separate path toward ordination should be evaluated as distinct commitments.
Name of the institution
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and MethodiusLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, graduate with no undergraduate degreesInstitution size category
Under 1,000Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius is institutionally accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.