School of Theology and Seminary

Residential Living

A close-up of a brick building featuring a bay window with three arched windows. The bricks are patterned with green tiles. Sunlight illuminates the branches of a tree on the right side of the image, casting shadows on the building.

Select Page

Students in the School of Theology and Seminary have the best of both worlds. They live within a dynamic community of their own peers and participate in a wider campus culture of more than 3000 students at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University with all of their amenities.

Residential Living

Our students live in Emmaus Hall which is situated on the shore of Lake Sagatagan on the west side of campus. Within Emmaus Hall, there is a chapel, a library, classrooms, study spaces, shared kitchens, gathering spaces, laundry units, and many other amenities. Emmaus Hall is at the heart of the residential experience, serving as a hub for theological thinking, worship, and fellowship on campus.

Living in Emmaus

Emmaus hall offers multiple housing options for students. Each room comes fully furnished. All utilities: electricity, water, internet, etc. are included in the cost of housing per semester making the SOT/Sem particularly affordable compared to other graduate programs in metropolitan areas.

Emmaus Housing Options

Single Room

Single rooms are furnished with a bed, a desk with chair, lamps, a bookshelf, an easy chair, and a skink. Residents are expected to provide their own linens. Common bathrooms are down the hall.

Suite

Suites are larger than single rooms and include a private bath. The furnishings are the same as the single rooms.

Apartment

Apartments include a private bath, a small kitchen and dining room table with chairs, a sitting area, and the same other furnishings as single rooms or suites. Housewares are not included.

An Embedded experience

As a graduate institution embedded within Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict, our SOT/Sem students have access to both undergraduate campuses and their amenities. That includes two athletic complexes and fitness centers, two major dining halls, two pools, two libraries, as well as multiple fine arts centers and galleries, dining opportunities, counseling and health centers, worship spaces and chapels, and more.

An inspiring and contemplative environment. 

Students have access to 3,000+ acres of pristine  Minnesota lakes, forests, woodlands, and prairies. Saint John’s Arboretum is a particularly rich place for outdoor recreation and enjoyment. Since its founding in 1856, Saint John’s Abbey has been guided by the Benedictine principles of stability, hospitality and stewardship. This longstanding principle of stewardship led the monks to designate the abbey lands as a natural arboretum with a focus on conservation, education, research and spiritual renewal.  

Being just steps away from lakes, wooded forests, and hiking trails, it is easy to become quickly immersed in the natural beauty of the land. Through the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC), graduate students can explore the area using specialized equipment rentals to better engage in activities like:

  • Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Cross country skiing
  • Snow Shoeing
  • Biking
  • Ice skating
  • Hiking       
  • Fishing
A modern building with a cross on its facade rises above a line of trees near a calm lake, reflecting the building and greenery in the water under a pastel sunset sky.
Two people walk toward a small, wooden footbridge in a forest. The path is surrounded by vibrant autumn trees with golden leaves. The scene suggests a peaceful, scenic walk in the fall.
A narrow dirt path winds through a lush, green forest with tall trees and leafy branches, bathed in soft sunlight.
A brick building with arched windows, ivy climbing the facade, and a cross on the roof stands under a cloudy, purple-toned sky. Lit windows and a glowing porch light suggest it is evening.
A serene lake reflects trees and a dramatic sky at sunset, with clouds tinted purple and pink. A bolt of lightning is visible in the distance near the horizon above the treeline.
A concrete church with a unique modern design featuring large geometrical patterns and a prominent cross at the top of its façade. The sun is setting, casting a warm light on the building. Trees and a lawn surround the church, creating a serene atmosphere.
Four smiling people standing outdoors in front of autumn trees, holding books and wearing casual clothes. They appear to be students, with backpacks on their shoulders. The background features vibrant fall foliage in shades of red, orange, and green.