Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology
Encyclopedia
The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (often abbreviated DSPT) is a Roman Catholic college, seminary, and graduate school in Berkeley
, California
. It is located at 2301 Vine Street in Berkeley.
The DSPT is sponsored by the Dominican Order
(specifically, by the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
, also known as the Western Province). It is a member of the interfaith Graduate Theological Union
(GTU), and offers certificate and degree programs to lay men and women, Catholics and non-Catholics, as well as training for the Dominicans of the Western Province.
, and established a school to prepare the young men for the priesthood. In 1854, the School moved to Benicia
, but the traditional Dominican attraction to universities led the Order to seek a location closer to the University of California, Berkeley
. In 1932, the Dominicans incorporated the school as the College of St. Albert the Great
in Oakland
, just a couple miles from the UC Berkeley campus. In 1964, the College received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
(WASC) and in the fall of 1964 the College joined the nascent GTU, becoming the first Roman Catholic school to participate in that consortium. In 1978, the College began "doing business as" the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology.
From the time of its association with the GTU, the School had leased space for classes and faculty offices. In 2004, the School purchased a permanent campus site in Berkeley near other GTU member schools, and began offering classes at the new site in September 2006.
The Dominican School also accepts non-degree seeking students in its Special Student program. The School's programs are accredited by WASC and by the Association of Theological Schools
(ATS).
The Bachelor of Arts program was discontinued in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located at 2301 Vine Street in Berkeley.
The DSPT is sponsored by the Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
(specifically, by the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
Holy Name of Jesus
In Christianity, the Holy Name of Jesus refers to the theological and devotional use of the name of Jesus. The reverence and affection with which Christians have regarded the Holy Name of Jesus goes back to the earliest days of Christianity....
, also known as the Western Province). It is a member of the interfaith Graduate Theological Union
Graduate Theological Union
The Graduate Theological Union ' is a consortium of nine independent theological schools, and eleven centers and affiliates. Eight of the theological schools are located in Berkeley, California. The GTU was founded in 1962. It maintains the Graduate Theological Union Library, one of the most...
(GTU), and offers certificate and degree programs to lay men and women, Catholics and non-Catholics, as well as training for the Dominicans of the Western Province.
History
In 1851, Dominican missionary Francis Sadoc Vilarrasa and six Dominican novices arrived in Monterey, CaliforniaMonterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
, and established a school to prepare the young men for the priesthood. In 1854, the School moved to Benicia
Benicia, California
Benicia is a waterside city in Solano County, California, United States. It was the first city in California to be founded by Anglo-Americans, and served as the state capital for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population was 26,997 at the 2010 census. The city is located in the San...
, but the traditional Dominican attraction to universities led the Order to seek a location closer to the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. In 1932, the Dominicans incorporated the school as the College of St. Albert the Great
Albertus Magnus
Albertus Magnus, O.P. , also known as Albert the Great and Albert of Cologne, is a Catholic saint. He was a German Dominican friar and a bishop, who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Those such as James A. Weisheipl...
in Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, just a couple miles from the UC Berkeley campus. In 1964, the College received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
(WASC) and in the fall of 1964 the College joined the nascent GTU, becoming the first Roman Catholic school to participate in that consortium. In 1978, the College began "doing business as" the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology.
From the time of its association with the GTU, the School had leased space for classes and faculty offices. In 2004, the School purchased a permanent campus site in Berkeley near other GTU member schools, and began offering classes at the new site in September 2006.
Program offerings
The Dominican School offers the following degree and certificate programs:- Master of Arts (Philosophy)
- Master of Arts (Theology)
- Master of Divinity
- Concurrent Master of Arts (Theology) / Master of Arts (Philosophy)
- Concurrent Master of Divinity / Master of Arts (Theology)
- Master of Theological Studies
- Certificate of Theological Studies
The Dominican School also accepts non-degree seeking students in its Special Student program. The School's programs are accredited by WASC and by the Association of Theological Schools
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
(ATS).
The Bachelor of Arts program was discontinued in the 2009-2010 academic year.