SCHOOL PERMITS AND ACCREDITATION

Divine Word Mission Seminary (DWMS) was founded in June 1934 and was originally known as Christ the King Seminary. It was renamed Divine Word Mission Seminary in 1964 but it still is popularly known as Christ the King Mission Seminary to this day.

In 1988, the seminary’s high school, established in 1949, was phased out since only eight percent of the graduates became priests.

The following School Year, the Senior College Department of the Divine Word Seminary- Tagaytay was transferred to DWMS. The Third Year and Fourth Year Philosophy students from other houses of formation, who were allowed to study with the SVDs, also followed. The number of affiliated houses and dioceses increased.

The Master of Arts Program followed after the Department of Education, Culture and Sports’ (DECS) approval on March 11, 1991. The move paved the way for the conversion of the Divine Word Mission Seminary as a center of Philosophical Studies for the entire Philippine SVD. The MA Program consists of 30 credit unit’s thesis.

DWMS has fully complied with the minimum requirement stipulated in DECS Order No.127, s. 1991: Policies and Standards for AB Philosophy/ Theology (For Seminaries, Bible Colleges, and Theological Schools).

In Compliance with CMO No.59, s.1996, DWMS revised its 4-year AB Philosophy curriculum effective AY 1997-1998. The seminary offers a 4-year college program in Philosophy (AB Philosophy) as a preparatory course for theological studies with a total of 48 units broken down into 30 units of basic philosophy courses, 12 units of seminars, and 6 units for the research paper. With the latest CMO No. _, s. 2005: Policies and Standards for Undergraduate Theological and Religious Studies (For Seminaries, Bible Colleges and Religious Education Schools) a total of 57 units broken down into 42 units of basic philosophy including the research paper and 15 units of seminars is required, effective AY 2005-2006.

There are also special programs for college graduates wherein separate philosophy classes are offered to seminarians who join the seminary after having finished any four or five-year degree course. The one-year program (24 Philosophy units) prepares them for theological studies. The two-year program (48 units in philosophy) allows them to have AB Philosophy as a second degree.

Being true to the spirit of our Founder St. Arnold Janssen, who had a special interest in assisting and building the local Church, DWMS admits seminarians from other congregations, dioceses and also nuns. At times, Protestant pastors attend classes. Further, there are cross-enrollees and laymen are admitted in the MA program.