Preparation for the diaconate typically consists of a four year formation program. The Byzantine Catholic Seminary’s School of Diaconate Studies has as its focus the intellectual pillar of formation while maintaining reference with the human, spiritual, and pastoral pillars. 

The Seminary’s academic program is a certificate program that includes two weeks of intensive classes (6 hours of class per day) on campus in the month of June for each of the four years.  These classes are followed, each year, by a program of distance learning through guided reading and the writing of papers. 

The on-campus program also includes meals and a full liturgical schedule (usually two liturgical services per day). The Seminary provides guidelines for pastors, mentors, and spiritual directors who provide for the remaining areas of formation as determined by the deacon student’s eparchy.