
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology traces its founding to 1932 and the Priests of the Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic religious congregation also known as the Dehonians. Its original purpose was preparation for religious and priestly ministry. That purpose continues to shape the graduate-level theology and ministry education offered at its Franklin, Wisconsin, campus.
The school's history matters to applicants because it is a specialized seminary, not a general-purpose college that happens to offer theology courses. Prospective students should evaluate its programs in relation to their intended ministry, academic goals, and, where relevant, the formation requirements of a diocese or religious community.
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology organizes its academic work around theology, ministry, and priestly formation rather than a collection of undergraduate colleges. Its graduate offerings include the Master of Divinity and graduate study in theology and pastoral ministry.
Students can expect coursework connected to areas such as Scripture, church history, systematic theology, moral theology, liturgy, and pastoral practice. A degree curriculum and a priestly formation program are related but not interchangeable: seminarians may also have spiritual, human, and pastoral formation obligations set by their sponsoring diocese or religious community. Applicants should compare the current catalog's degree requirements with any requirements imposed by their sponsor.
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is in Franklin, Wisconsin, in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Its setting is suburban rather than a downtown university district.
For students attending classes or formation activities in person, transportation planning matters. Milwaukee-area parishes and ministry settings may provide opportunities for practical experience, but travel time depends on the particular placement. Applicants expecting to commute should check their class and formation schedules before deciding where to live.
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology's stated purpose centers on preparing people for Catholic ministry through theological education and formation. Its identity reflects its founding connection to the Priests of the Sacred Heart and its work with candidates for ordained ministry as well as other graduate theology students.
That religious identity has practical academic implications. Students should expect theological study in a Catholic setting and should review a prospective program's learning goals, formation expectations, and approach to pastoral education. The institution's stated mission describes its priorities; it should not be read as a guarantee of ordination or employment.
Name of the institution
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of TheologyLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, graduate with no undergraduate degreesInstitution size category
Under 1,000Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology 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.
Postbaccalaureate certificate
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.