The Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology is located in Virginia Avenue, Berkeley, California. It was founded in 1851, by Fr. Francis S. Vilarrasa, O.P. and his cohorts. The purpose of the establishment was to prepare young men for priesthood. In 1854, the school was moved to Benicia and later relocated to the Berkeley/Oakland area. It was then known as St. Albert’s College. The school is dedicated to promoting the doctrines expounded by the Dominican theologizers and philosophers. The effective communication of philosophical and theological truth is implemented in service to the Gospel. The Dominican practice of disciplined inquiry and learned preaching directs the students of the school to the rich tradition of classical philosophy and Catholic theology. The aim of the school is to form a community of men and women who can think philosophically and theologically. The education provided by the school helps the students to handle any questions asked of them, critically and intelligently. In implementing its mission, the school seeks to formulate an understanding of the cooperative nature of lay, religious, and ordained vocations in the Church, with its governance, administration, and academic programs. The Dominican School offers a wide range of academic degrees and study options. Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, GTU Common Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Arts in Biblical Languages, Concurrent Master of Arts in Theology/ Master of Divinity, Concurrent Master of Arts in Philosophy/Master of Arts in Theology, and Completion Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy are the academic degrees. In addition, the Library of the Graduate Theological Union in the school, provides students and faculty with a rich and unique learning environment. It has a collection of nearly 700,000 theological-based materials. The school admits students from a diversity of backgrounds and variety of life experiences. The student body of the school is composed of members of religious orders as well as lay students. The religious orders represented within the student body include members of the Dominicans, Franciscan Capuchins, Franciscan Conventuals, Salesians, Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, and Daughters of Saint Paul. The Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology is an accredited Roman Catholic college/seminary sponsored by the Western Dominican Province. The school is a member of the interfaith Graduate Theological Union. It is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Additionally, it is recognized by the Master of the Order of Preachers as a Center of Studies for the Order.