Academic Calendar

Divine Word College, an undergraduate Roman Catholic seminary, educates young men who are seriously considering vocations as missionary priests or brothers in the Society of the Divine Word. To prepare these men for missionary service, we offer an education which combines a liberal arts curriculum and a comprehensive program of spiritual formation within an environment that teaches and honors the rich cultural diversity of our students and the world’s cultures. This academic and spiritual preparation serves the particular learning needs of our students, promotes their development as whole and responsible individuals, and fosters a lifelong commitment to serving God’s people.

• The Church is missionary by its very nature.

• God calls some to give special witness to the Church's missionary mandate.

• The missionary charism of the Society of the Divine Word, its history, heritage and hopes, is a significant contribution to the Church's missionary outreach.

• Service to the local churches through apostolic ministry demands the proper education and spiritual formation of future missionaries.

• Diversity - Student recruitment efforts, the cross-cultural studies major, the spiritual formation program, co-curricular activities, and the international teaching experience of the faculty foster and support cultural diversity at Divine Word College.  Students, faculty, staff and friends of the College grow in cross-cultural community reflecting the strong international mission of the Society of the Divine Word.

• Opportunity - A program of generous scholarship assistance, the Intensive English Language Institute, a low teacher-student ratio and other academic supports meet the learning needs of Divine Word College students, especially those from immigrant and refugee communities.  This commitment of College resources demonstrates an historic interest of the Society of the Divine Word in the United States in enabling the marginalized to assume their rightful place within the Church.

• Community - Active involvement by members of the Society of the Divine Word in the life of the College, the organization of students into small faith communities, the Friends Across the Nations program, and the interdependence among departments and personnel foster a close-knit community at Divine Word College.  College personnel in community portray the determination of the priests and brothers of the Society of the Divine Word to build community among themselves, their collaborators and those who they seek to serve.

• Spiritual Growth - An integrated program of spiritual direction, group retreats, daily and special liturgies, and regular prayer opportunities support Divine Word College students, faculty, staff and friends in the discernment of their call to Jesus Christ.  While pursued within community, spiritual growth is highly and intensely personal.

• Service - Outreach to the elderly at area nursing homes, to the poor in homeless shelters and at soup kitchens, to youth in religious education programs and to disabled children in local care facilities is an important aspect of Divine Word College's effort to follow the example of Jesus Christ who came "not to be served, but to serve."  Students and faculty members regularly put themselves at the service of the local and regional community.

• Integrity - Honesty in academic policies and practices, respect for each student's freedom in vocational discernment, the provision of just compensation and fair treatment for employees and an adherence to high ethical standards in fundraising efforts and financial reporting help ensure that Divine Word College lives its mission and delivers on its promise.

• Lifelong Learning - A liberal arts program opens students to new worlds of knowledge, broadens intellectual horizons and provides the critical skills increasingly necessary for informed leadership and service.  Carefully designed curricula in general education, philosophy and cross-cultural studies lead students to an appreciation of the complex and changing social environments of our time.  Educational programs open to the wider community demonstrate Divine Word College's commitment to lifelong learning as a key to effective religious and missionary service.

Our Vision

Divine Word College seeks to marshal the resources necessary to sustain an educational experience that serves the learning needs of its students, brings about a strong grounding in the liberal arts, appropriately integrates academic and spiritual formation, promotes a lived appreciation of cultural diversity, and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of the local community.  Toward these ends, the College community commits itself to the following goals and priorities:

• Increasing enrollment in seminary and special programs beyond current levels

• Providing a quality undergraduate education grounded in the liberal arts

• Providing seminary formation as outlined in the U.S. Catholic bishops' statements in the Program of Priestly Formation and SVD documents

• Practicing stewardship by providing just compensation to lay staff, careful husbanding of resources, and increasing financial independence through more intense development efforts and enhanced endowment opportunities

• Improving facilities at the Epworth campus through the ongoing program of scheduled maintenance

• Sharing the international mission of the Society of the Divine Word and the College with external constituencies through a series of special cultural and educational events, school visits, support groups and short-term visits to the College by external groups.

Divine Word College promotes an integrate development of the spiritual, physical, psychosocial and intellectual abilities of the students as maturing persons. The liberal arts program is designed to help students acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills in both traditional and contemporary study which can foster the student’s growth in personal maturity and committed faith and provide an orientation to future ministerial service among God’s people. It strives also to provide for the development of habits of creative and critical thinking as well as a facility in communication.

Each seminary student attending Divine Word College lives in an environment that enables him to make a firm, personal decision to commit himself to a life formed after Jesus Christ. More specifically, this would be in the form of becoming a priest or brother in the Society of the Divine Word.

While attending college, a student is in a period of ongoing, mature self-examination that leads to a sound and free decision to commit his life and career to the mission of the Society of the Divine Word.

Throughout the curriculum a strong emphasis is placed on mission and cultural awareness. A cross-cultural major and minor point to this emphasis. The Ministry Formation Program directs the student toward community service outside the College. There the student serves God’s people in a number of ways and begins to acquire basic attitudes and skills required for future ministry.

The constant interaction among students and staff with different cultural backgrounds is a distinct advantage in preparing for a religious, missionary vocation.  A student has an opportunity on a daily basis to gain an appreciation of other cultures.

Saint Arnold Janssen, founded the Society of the Divine Word (SVD or Societas Verbi Divini in Latin) in Steyl, Holland, in 1875. Today there are over 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries working in over 60 countries throughout the world.  Divine Word priests and brothers may find themselves teaching school in a remote area of Papua New Guinea, bringing the sacraments to residents of a small village in the mountains of Mexico, helping communities in Ghana obtain a fresh supply of water or working with the elderly in a parish in the hills of West Virginia.

In 1931 the Society purchased property in Epworth, Iowa, and, on a campus that once housed a Methodist seminary and a private military academy, established St. Paul’s Mission House, an SVD high school seminary. In the early 1960s, the Society undertook a major reorganization of its seminary education programs and replaced St. Paul’s Mission House with a new Divine Word College. Since its dedication in 1964, Divine Word College has served as the principle site of SVD undergraduate seminary education in the United States.

During their final semester of undergraduate studies at Divine Word College, those young men who choose to continue their vocational journey with the SVD may apply for the Society’s one-year novitiate program at Techny, Illinois, near Chicago. Near the end of their novitiate experience, the young men may apply to profess first vows as members of the Society. Those who are candidates for the priesthood continue their studies at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, a graduate school of theology serving over 40 religious orders.

The main buildings, completed in 1964, contain classrooms, dormitories, a gym, a weight room, indoor swimming pool, library, dining areas, offices and living quarters for the SVD members. The chapel is the center of spiritual life within the College. Megan Hall, at the north end of the property, is the only building that remains from the original campus. Megan Hall currently houses upper division students and guests.

The Matthew Jacoby Library, with large windows overlooking the rolling Iowa countryside, provides a pleasant atmosphere for studying. Open stacks contain over 90,000 volumes on all subjects, and an adjacent reading room holds the current issues of the 350 magazines to which the library subscribes. In addition to its broad collection of recorded books and music, video tapes and CD ROMs, the Library also provides innovative resources on the College’s computer network. The library staff is glad to provide classroom and individual instruction as well as reference assistance with any aspect of library research. Divine Word College students have access to and borrowing privileges from the libraries of Dubuque-area colleges.

The 30-acre college campus provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation, including soccer, baseball and tennis. Nearby is the Heritage Trail for hiking, biking or cross-country skiing.

Divine Word College is located 15 miles west of Dubuque on four-lane U.S. Hwy. 20. Dubuque is a modern city with many cultural and recreational events available. Airline service is available to Dubuque.

   Telephone: (563) 876-3353              FAX: (563) 876-3407              www.dwci.edu

Correspondence should be directed to:

The College is accredited or affiliated with the following organizations:

• The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (Address:  30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504; Phone (312)263-0456 and (800)621-7440)
• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)
• American Association for Higher Education (AAHE)
• Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU)
• American Council on Education (ACE)
• Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU)
• National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)

The College is:

• Incorporated by the State of Iowa as an institution of higher education empowered to grant degrees and academic honors
• Approved under the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service as a school for attendance by non-immigrant students.

Divine Word College is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in admissions, education programs or activities and employment, as required by applicable laws and regulations. Inquiries may be addressed to: Director, Affirmative Action or the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Divine Word College, or to: Director, Civil Rights Commission, Washington, D.C.

Divine Word College makes an effort to attract students from diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of educational and admission policies or in scholarship, loan, athletic and other college-administered programs.

At the beginning of each school year, students attend several days of orientation to introduce them to life at Divine Word College. Students learn about the College curriculum, the requirements of the degree programs, College administration, the counseling service, student government and the formation program.

Students tour the library and learn about the technical equipment. New students will also take placement tests during orientation. Each new regular College student is also required to schedule an interview with the College counselor within the first six weeks of the semester.

• Counseling Service - through the services of a counselor, the student is provided with the opportunity for professional guidance.  The counselor may administer tests to facilitate greater self-understanding and clarify vocational choices.  The counselor is an integral part of the formation program and is a resource person for the formation directors.  Outside counseling services are also available.

• Student Health Service - Minor injuries and illnesses are treated in the College infirmary.  Physicians and medical facilities are available in Dubuque and Dyersville.  Red Cross First Aid and life-saving courses are periodically made available.  A physical examination is required before entry.  The health records of students are on file at the College.

• Student Activities - Extra-curricular activities are fostered to aid the total development of the student.  Among these activities are:  the Student Senate, student publications, apostolic work with the handicapped, the aged, the infirmed and ethnic minorities.

Fan Club: The Divine Word College FAN-Club is an acronym for "Friends Across Nations".  The organization matches students with area families as a means of establishing off-campus social connections. Some on-campus events are scheduled, but most activities are left to the desires and interests of the individual student(s) and host family. Participation is voluntary.

• Athletics - Alertness, self-confidence, discipline and teamwork are characteristic of the missionary ideal.  Students may acquire these traits by participating in the various intramural sports activities available at the College such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, swimming and weightlifting.

• Tutoring Services - A range of tutoring services in available to students with time management, study skills and test taking- in all subjects with specific help available in math, writing and philosophy.  Faculty advisors are available to inform students of the exact nature of these existing services.

Members of the Society of the Divine Word who work at Divine Word College contribute their services as administrators, faculty and staff. Correspondingly, the College expects all students, as candidates for and beneficiaries of the Society, to contribute some of their time and energy supporting community activities or events and maintaining the College buildings and grounds. Students do not receive financial compensation for community service activities.

Students follow the Religious Formation Program of Divine Word College. This guide enables a student to become a healthy, integrated person, committed to a life formed after Jesus Christ, so that he can then make a free and mature decision regarding his vocation.

Through the Religious Formation Program, organized into Formation Groups and guided by a formation director, a student strives to grow in five areas:

• Human Formation - A student develops into a mature, integrated and committed person to discern his readiness and desire to live in a religious community.

• Spiritual Formation - Develop a faith-filled, discerning candidate, rooted in Jesus Christ and committed to personal and communal prayer as foundation for missionary service.

• Intellectual Formation - Instills in candidates a commitment to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for effectively communicating the Gospel.

• Cross-Cultural Community Living Formation - Enables a candidate to be rooted in his own culture and to cross over to other cultures with respect and sensitivity, while developing skills for religious community.

• Missionary Ministry Formation - Allows a candidate to begin to develop his ministry skills and to apply his gifts and education for missionary service.

The Religious Formation Program helps a student acquire interpersonal and intercultural skills. By participating in small group activities and meeting individually with his Formation Director, a student at Divine Word College learns to reflect honestly on his life and to share his vocational development with others.

Each student has a Spiritual Director.  During regular meetings with their director, students are encouraged to develop personal prayer as a means of growing in relationship with God.

All students participate in faith formation sessions in small formation communities to facilitate growth in faith prayer and Church teaching.

The purpose of the Ministry Formation Program is to facilitate the growth in maturity in each of the areas of education, commitment and service in a manner that helps to prepare the college student for the missionary apostolate of the Society of the Divine Word. This is achieved through active involvement in several different kinds of service, including visiting the elderly, working with the mentally and physically challenged, offering hospitality to those in need, feeding the hungry and homeless, working with the young in Epworth, visiting the Sisters in Dubuque and serving Latino and Vietnamese communities in the area. Twice a semester, the student participates in group reflections on these experiences with the Director of Ministry or his assistants.

Students regularly participate in liturgies. Music ministry and other special liturgical ministries, such as lector, acolyte, sacristan, cantors and minister of hospitality are performed by students according to their talents and level of growth. Training is provided for all these ministries. Students are required to attend a weekly liturgy preparation period which consists of instruction and discussion of liturgy, as well as rehearsal of liturgical music.

College regulations comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 requiring documentation of services and awareness for drug-free schools and communities. The College complies as defined in schedules "I" through "V" of Section 202 of the "Controlled Substances Act" (21 U.S.C. 812) and as further defined by regulations in 21 CFR 1300.11 through 1300.15.

All students, faculty and employees of the College receive copies of these policies and disciplinary action is taken if violated.

The College adheres to the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, Public Law No. 101-542. Statistical information on the completion of graduation rates of both A.A. and B.A. degree-seeking students is maintained and compiled by the College Registrar. This information is available upon request from the Director of Financial Aid.

The College Financial Aid Director prepares, publishes and distributes information annually, before October 1, on campus crime statistics to all students, faculty and employees, and upon request, to any applicant for enrollment or employment.

The College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment to all members of the College community. All criminal actions or emergencies are reported to the President and Dean of Students. These individuals shall refer the matter to the local law enforcement agencies, if warranted, and to the statistical coordinator of campus crime. 

Divine Word College provides all students, faculty and staff with copies of the Sexual Harassment Policy. The College is committed to providing students, faculty and employees a safe and secure environment.

Divine Word College periodically provides information to all students, faculty and employees on HIV Infection. A policy is established for updating and distribution of information and education on HIV Infection.

As mandated by Iowa Code, Chapter 709, Divine Word College provides copies of its policy on Sexual Abuse to faculty, staff and students. As defined by the Iowa Code, the policy on Sexual Abuse includes definitions, reporting procedures, prevention suggestions and counseling.