"...unwavering fidelity to the Gospel message and the Church Magisterium…"

Seminarians proceed to the Graduate School of Theology after completing their formation at the Philosophy Department (seminarians who have finished their philosophy course in other seminaries may also be admitted on a case to case basis). They spend two years of theological studies, then a year of Pastoral Spiritual Integration Year (PSIY, which is a year of more intense pastoral and spiritual training to strengthen their commitment and decide upon), then two more years of theological studies. In these final years of their seminary formation, the students are given more immediate preparation for the priestly ministry.

As such, they are given a solid doctrinal foundation and are immersed more and more in the realities of the different aspects of pastoral work in the various sectors of the society.
In 1987, the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippine government gave San Carlos Seminary the faculty to grant the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.

This recognition paved the way for the creation of the Graduate School of Theology. This institution, while first catering to the seminarians housed within the San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, also provides quality theological training to other seminarians, priests, religious and laity from the Philippines and other countries.
The intense pace of academic formation offered is characterized by an unwavering fidelity to the Gospel message and the Church Magisterium. This serves as a solid foundation for the school's decidedly pastoral orientation, providing highly competent graduates imbibed with the needed human and spiritual qualities for the service of the local and universal Church.
The Graduate School offers the following Master of Arts programs duly recognized by the Philippine government through its Commission on Higher Education (CHED): MA in Theology, an academic degree with four areas of specialization, viz., Systematic Theology, Historico-Litugico-Pastoral studies, Pastoral Studies, and Spirituality; and MA in Pastoral Ministry and MA in Spiritual Life, both are professional degrees.