The focus of St. John’s curriculum is Great Books. Why Great Books? Because they express most originally and most deeply the ideas that have shaped civilization. These books are both timeless and timely; they illuminate the persisting questions of human existence that bear directly on the problems we face today. Although they span many subjects, these books transcend genres. Plato’s Republic, for example, is both a profound work of philosophy and a brilliant literary work. Euclid’s Elements is a mathematical text with deep philosophical implications. Emily Dickinson’s poems are both great literature and a way of looking into the deepest philosophical, theological, and experiential questions. These authors change our minds, move our hearts, and touch our spirits. The Statement of the Program  articulates the mission of St. John’s College and our Great Books curriculum for both undergraduates and graduates.

Every class in the Graduate Institute has fewer than 20 students, and every class begins with a question—a question formulated to foster a genuine investigation into the meaning of a text, not to elicit a ready-made answer. Where that discussion may travel during the class is unpredictable. It all depends on the moment-to-moment dynamism of human conversation in an encounter with a text of inexhaustible richness. The classroom experience is an adventure—and the graduate students a genuine intellectual community.

Students regularly meet with faculty in and out of the classroom. In addition, first and second semester students have a formal conference at which they discuss their work with all their tutors. The conference takes the form of a conversation about the student’s work in which the tutors present their perceptions of the student’s progress, and the student says how he or she thinks the work is going, how the tutors might provide additional help, or how the classes might be made more useful.

There are regular written assignments in addition to reading, discussion, and conferences. Students who wish to undertake a more extensive piece of written work may submit a proposal to write a Master’s Essay.

Students can complete each of our graduate programs online through low-residency enrollment where they experience thoughtful exploration alongside fellow students and our experienced tutors, from anywhere in the world.

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The Graduate Institute attracts students of varied ages, backgrounds, and experiences. While our students come from all around, they share a common passion for Great Books and learning.

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Students are assisted in their understanding of the great books by faculty members that are referred to as “tutors” rather than “professors.” The title “tutor” is used to signify that our faculty’s chief role is not to profess or lecture in their area of expertise, but to guide the students through the program of study. The tutors guide discussions by asking questions, supplying helpful examples, and encouraging students to explore the implications of their statements.

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With our dedication to affordability and transparency in pricing, we want to ensure these graduate programs are within reach. St. John’s offers one of the most affordable graduate degrees in the country. We offer generous need-based financial aid. We also offer grants dedicated to those in the field of education.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students in the Graduate Institute will always be Johnnies, but like their diverse backgrounds when they arrive, what they do after completing a graduate degree (or two!) has no limits.