Franciscan School Of Theology To Relocate To University Of San Diego Campus

San Diego, CA - The University of San Diego (USD) and the Franciscan School of Theology (FST) announced today that the FST campus, currently located on the grounds at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, CA, will be relocating to the USD campus in San Diego in the summer of 2019.

FST is the only freestanding, graduate-level school of Franciscan theology in the English-speaking world transmitting the rich heritage of Catholic theology flowing from the spiritual, social and ethical teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and developed by Franciscan theologians such as St. Bonaventure and Blessed John Duns Scotus.

In 2013, USD and FST entered into an affiliation agreement to expand USD and FST graduate student opportunities across the breadth of their respective graduate curricular offerings and advance their respective missions in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Through the affiliation, FST graduate students can enroll in selected and approved USD graduate courses offered through the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the School of Business MBA program, and in certain undergraduate courses in the USD department of philosophy. These courses enhance the capabilities of FST graduate students to serve in stewardship roles in the Catholic Church and other mission-oriented institutions.  Likewise, USD students may complement their graduate education with select coursework in theological studies through FST.

With FST’s Oceanside campus moving to the USD campus, FST and USD graduate students will have more convenient access to both USD and FST courses that complement graduate degree programs. The affiliation and integrated location also provides new opportunities for USD and FST faculty and students to collaborate in service, research and other scholarly activities. 

"Our move to the USD campus builds upon our relationship with USD and provides FST an opportunity to explore new ways of expressing and sharing our faith and service,” said Father Michael Higgins, TOR, president of the Franciscan School of Theology. "We are excited about bringing together the spiritual, theological and social riches of the Franciscan tradition and USD’s excellence in contemporary sciences, non-profit management, public service, peace work and more.  USD’s strong dedication to its Catholic heritage and its vibrant Catholic community create a supportive environment for graduate studies in theology in the Franciscan intellectual tradition."  

FST temporary facilities at USD will be located adjacent to the St. Francis Center for Priestly Formation.

"The affiliation between the University of San Diego and the Franciscan School of Theology offers opportunities for special academic and program collaborations that will benefit the faculties, students, and communities of both USD and FST," said University of San Diego President James T. Harris.  “As an anchor institution for the region, we look forward to warmly welcoming FST faculty and graduate students to the USD campus community in the coming months.”


About the Franciscan School of Theology
The Franciscan School of Theology offers graduate degrees in theology (Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts) for men and women, lay and religious, preparing for many different forms of ministry in the Catholic Church today. For more information about our graduate programs, contact our Department of Admissions: Gigi Betancourt (760) 547-1800 ext. 204; Christine Avella (760) 547-1800 ext. 226; Office of Admissions Fax: (760) 547-1807.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.