Franciscan School of Theology

What is the history of Franciscan School of Theology?

Franciscan School of Theology (FST) is a Catholic graduate theology school whose roots reach back to Franciscan theological education in California in 1854. Its history helps explain why a small, specialized institution now operates in San Diego rather than as a conventional undergraduate college.

The school was based in Berkeley for many years and later operated at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. It subsequently relocated to the University of San Diego campus. Those moves matter when reading older descriptions of FST: a reference to its Berkeley or Oceanside facilities may not describe the resources available to a student studying in San Diego today. FST retains its own institutional identity despite its location at the university.

What are the faculties and departments at Franciscan School of Theology?

Franciscan School of Theology is organized around graduate theological study, not a collection of undergraduate colleges or majors. Its academic work centers on theology, ministry, Scripture, Christian history, ethics, and Franciscan thought.

Its degree offerings include the Master of Divinity, a professional preparation route often relevant to ministry, and graduate study in theology through a master's program. Applicants should compare the current catalog's degree titles, course requirements, and field-education expectations before choosing a program. Attending classes on the University of San Diego campus does not, by itself, make an FST degree a University of San Diego degree.

What is the location of Franciscan School of Theology?

Franciscan School of Theology is located on the University of San Diego campus in San Diego, California. This is an urban-region setting with access to the university campus, but FST is a distinct school with its own academic and administrative policies.

For commuters, the practical questions are where FST classes meet, what parking or transit privileges apply, and whether a particular university facility is included in FST students' access. San Diego International Airport serves the area. Applicants relying on older directions to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside should confirm the location of their classes and any required in-person activities.

What is the mission and vision of Franciscan School of Theology?

FST describes its educational purpose in Franciscan and Catholic terms: theological study joined to spiritual formation, service, and engagement with the wider world. Its religious identity is central to the curriculum rather than an incidental campus affiliation.

That orientation may be especially relevant to students preparing for ministry or interested in Franciscan theology and ethics. Prospective students need not assume that every class has the same vocational goal, however; the appropriate degree depends on whether they seek ministerial preparation, academic study, or another form of professional development. The school's stated values describe its aims, not independently measured outcomes.