The FTE Guide to Theological Education: Chapter 3
When you enter a theological school, you are entering a truly unique institution where intellectual rigor, experiential learning and personal faith intermingle.
Though each theological school is unique, they all employ faculty, maintain and grow libraries, admit students to advanced programs of study, grant professional and research degrees and have endowments. Most importantly, they bring together in one institution three activities essential for the well being of the church:
- They prepare leaders for religious vocations.
- They develop the art of teaching.
- They remember the past, evaluate the present and envision the future through theological research.
In their concern for preparing leaders, theological schools are professional schools that teach students practical skills for their work in church and society. They offer courses in areas such as pastoral care, preaching, worship, Christian education, and administration—fields that require both an intellectual grounding as well as specific skills. In this way, theological schools may resemble other professional programs in fields such as social work, counseling or education.
As a steward of teaching and research, a theological school is also a graduate school and an institution of advanced intellectual inquiry. Faculty members research and publish in their fields. Courses are organized according to academic disciplines such as biblical studies, philosophy, languages, ethics, history, and, of course, theology. Students write papers, receive grades and fulfill the requirements of a core curriculum. From this perspective, theological schools look like any other graduate program in subjects such as literature or history or philosophy.
The learning that takes place in theological schools, however, is not simply acquisition of intellectual knowledge and mastery of certain skills. As Dr. Dan Aleshire, Executive Director of the Association of Theological Schools, notes, it is first and foremost “learning to be Christian: truly, deeply, thoughtfully, intelligently, lovingly Christian.” Therefore, theological schools are also communities of faith, unique congregations of believers—and perhaps a few skeptics—who together engage in serious study of sacred texts, in worship and prayer, and in service and witness to the world around them.
Theological schools are faithful both to the church and to higher education but ultimately they are not entirely like either one. When you enter a theological school, you are entering a truly unique institution where intellectual rigor, experiential learning and personal faith intermingle.
Nothing can fully prepare you for what this experience will be like but this observation from Dr. Aleshire may come close:
“About the time that a student thinks that seminary is a church, he is confronted with a discouraging grade and discovers that he is in school. About the time that a seminary student is convinced that seminary is only a school, she is overpowered by some text of discussion or lecture that touches her soul, and she experiences in school what only church has done in her life previously.”[1]
What’s in a name?
If you’ve already begun to explore possible schools, you’ve discovered the variety of names for theological schools: seminary, divinity school, school of theology.
Is there any significance to these different names?
Well, yes and no. Regardless of name, all accredited theological schools offer courses and degrees that have been designed according to the standards and guidelines of the Association of Theological Schools. In that sense, there is no difference between a seminary, a divinity school and a school of theology.
The name a school has chosen for itself, however, is significant. It says something about the era in which it was founded, the commitments and concerns of its founders and about the faith communities it serves. Unfortunately, there is no simple rule that applies across the board to help you decode these differences.
The different names, though, do point to one particular difference that will be important as you try to choose the right school for you: Is the school university-based or independent?
A university-based theological school is one academic unit among many in a larger institution of higher learning. When you enroll in the school, you enroll in the university. Students have access to the broad resources of a larger university including library holdings, faculty and courses in other disciplines such as business, education, law and humanities. These schools also offer a wider range of facilities and student services.
In preparing leaders, theological schools are professional schools that teach students practical skills for their work in church and society.
University-based schools are influenced by the larger academic environments where they reside. Some university-based schools have a strong denominational identity and a commitment to preparing pastors and other ministers for that tradition. Others will be more ecumenical or nondenominational in identity and may emphasize academic fundamentals over formation for ministry. In either case, most university-based theological schools will have a very diverse student body with a wide range of interests and reasons for pursuing theological education.
An independent theological school may be on or near a university campus but it is a free-standing institution and not formally affiliated with a larger academic institution. These schools usually have a strong tie to a particular denomination or tradition and, although they are equally committed to academic excellence, they focus on the formation and preparation of ministers who will be ordained to serve as pastors, counselors, missionaries and in other vocations closely related to traditional congregational ministry. However, students do not have to be a member of the school’s primary denomination or tradition to attend.
Independent theological schools often have a well-defined or enclosed campus where students not only study together but live, eat and worship together also. These environments provide students with a close-knit learning community and a deep immersion in the theology and practice of the tradition the school represents.
Some schools may also belong to a theological consortium, where schools representing different traditions in the same city or region cooperate to offer a broader range of courses and opportunities for students. Through a consortium, some independent schools are able to connect their students with university-based resources.
The education that you receive at a university-based school and an independent school will be similar but the experience will be very different. The best way to discern the right kind of school for you is to visit in person and pay close attention to the environment and the setting.
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Accreditation
Accreditation is a rigorous process in which a school is evaluated by an external organization for educational quality and effectiveness. Accreditation provides a baseline of quality for theological degrees, ensuring that they will be uniformly accepted and recognized.
For graduate theological education, the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) serves as this accrediting agency.
To be accredited, a school undergoes an initial review that examines a wide variety of factors, including library holdings, faculty quality and financial stability. ATS repeats this process on a regular basis to make sure a school is maintaining an acceptable level of academic quality. When a school adds a new degree to its curriculum, that degree must be reviewed individually for compliance with accreditation standards.
Accreditation may seem like an obscure administrative matter but it is relevant to you as a student in two important ways.
First, accreditation protects your interests as a prospective student. As you search for the right program, accreditation provides a guarantee that the schools you are considering have been reviewed by their peers and have met long-standing and widely held criteria for excellence in theological education.
Second, accreditation also protects your interests beyond graduation. When you begin applying for jobs or for advanced degree programs, accreditation lets other organizations know that the degree you hold comes from a trusted institution.
All the institutions listed in this resource are fully accredited or involved in the initial accreditation process.
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Theological Degrees
When looking at theological schools, you will notice that there are many different degrees with names that may or may not make sense to you. The following sections will cover specific degree programs but let’s start with a general overview of theological degrees to help you make sense of your options.
The Association of Theological Schools lists four broad categories of theological degrees programs – two for master’s level degrees and two for advanced or doctoral degrees.
The categories for master’s level degrees are:
- Ministerial Leadership
- General Theological Studies
The categories for advanced or doctoral degrees are:
- Ministerial Leadership
- Theological Research and Teaching
If you are entering theological education for the first time, you should be looking at programs that fall into the first set of categories – master’s level degrees in ministerial leadership or general theological studies.
Ministerial Leadership
Theological schools offer degrees in ministerial leadership for students interested in some form of ministry as a profession whether as an ordained pastor in a congregation or in related fields like church music, youth ministry, counseling, chaplaincy and social services.
Most students interested in ministerial leadership enroll in a Master of Divinity program but in some schools you do have the option of a master’s level degree in a specialized area of ministry.
The degrees in this category have a common interest in the practice of ministry. They combine academic course work with experiential instruction in skills relevant to the profession the student is pursuing.
General Theological Studies
For students whose interest in theology is primarily academic, schools offer degrees in general theological studies. Students who pursue a degree in this category are usually preparing to teach or to pursue an advance degree in a theological discipline like biblical studies, church history or systematic theology.
Degrees in this category may offer practical courses in areas like teaching or research methodology but the curriculum does not include instruction in the practice of ministry.
To browse through a comprehensive list of degrees and the schools where they are offered, you can visit the Approved Degrees on the ATS website.
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Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity degree – or M.Div. – is the primary degree that prepares students for general pastoral and religious leadership in congregations and other settings.
The M.Div., however, is not only for students preparing for ordained ministry. Many pursue an M.Div. in preparation for other professions such as teaching, counseling, community organizing, human services and nonprofit leadership. The M.Div. is also the recommended first theological degree for admission into advanced programs for theological research and teaching.
The M.Div. serves all of these varied interests because it is the most comprehensive degree offered by a theological school. The degree standards published by the Association of Theological Schools say that an M.Div. curriculum must include course content in these four subject areas:
- Religious Heritage
- Cultural Context
- Personal and Spiritual Formation
- Capacity for Ministerial and Public Leadership
Within this broad structure, each school organizes its curriculum differently but here are the kinds of courses you can expect to take:
| Biblical studies | Preaching |
|---|---|
| Biblical languages | Worship |
| Systematic theology | Pastoral care |
| Church doctrine | Spiritual Practices |
| Church history | Christian education |
| Psychology of religion | Youth ministry |
| Sociology of religion | Church administration |
| Ethics | Community ministry |
| Contemporary social issues | Evangelism |
| Christianity in other cultures | |
| Interfaith relations |
If you plan to be ordained, your denomination may require that you also take certain courses that focus on the history, theology, polity and practices of your faith tradition.
Though the M.Div. is usually a highly structured degree with few electives, you may be able to customize your degree with a focus on a particular form of ministry (urban, youth, multicultural, missions, peace and justice) or on practical ministerial skills (counseling, education, preaching, music, worship).
An M.Div. also requires field education in a setting that provides students with direct ministry experience. Field education – also called contextual education – often takes place in a congregation, but some schools offer other placements such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and social service agencies. In most cases, field education also includes a small group component where students reflect on their ministry experience with peers and mentors, deepening their understanding of the ministry context and their role in it.
In general, the M.Div. takes three years to complete as a full-time student, though some schools have extended the requirements and therefore the time it takes to complete the degree.
Joint Degree Programs
Some schools offer programs that allow students to combine another master’s level degree with the M.Div., augmenting their theological training with a non-theological discipline.
A common combination is the M.Div. and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) but you will also find joint degree programs in music, education, public health, law and business administration.
Combining disciplines offers a unique and compelling educational opportunity but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Many joint degree programs prescribe a specific schedule to ensure on-time completion. For example, you may be required to take all of your first year courses in one degree and all of your second year courses in the other. A prescribed schedule will decrease the flexibility of the curriculum and limit the courses and electives that you will be able to take in either program.
A joint degree also will cost more than a single degree and will require additional time to complete. For that reason, it is important to consider carefully whether the real value of a joint degree program will be worth the added time and cost.
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Other Ministry Degrees
The Master of Divinity is not the only degree that prepares students for ministerial leadership.
Many theological schools offer degree programs in specialized areas of ministry for students who are focused on a particular type of profession within the church. Sacred music and Christian education are two of the most common areas of specialization and are offered under the following degree titles:
| Master of Arts in Christian Education | Master of Arts in Church Music |
|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Christian Formation | Master of Arts in Liturgical Music |
| Master of Arts in Religious Education | Master of Sacred Music |
| Master of Religious Education |
Students may also find specialized ministry degrees in areas such as counseling, family ministry, urban ministry, youth ministry and spiritual formation.
To choose the right degree, be as clear as possible about your plans following graduation.
Some schools also offer programs in general ministry studies. Students receive a Master of Arts in a broad subject such as Christian Ministry, Christian Leadership, Pastoral Ministry. In certain denominations and traditions, these degrees may allow students to be licensed, credentialed or ordained for ministry. However, they do not offer the same comprehensive preparation as the M.Div.
These degrees – whether general or specialized – develop out of the particular interests or commitments of individual schools, so there is great variety in how they are named and structured and in their availability.
In most cases, these degrees have fewer course requirements than the M.Div. and take two years to complete.
You can find a complete list of other ministry degrees and the schools where they are offered on the Approved Degrees page on the website of the Association of Theological Schools.
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General Theological Studies
Not all students at theological schools are preparing for professional ministry.
For students interested primarily in teaching or research, schools offer degrees such as Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts in Religion though their names vary from school to school.
Generally, these degrees are taken in preparation for advanced programs in the theological disciplines, such as the Ph.D. or Th.D. Therefore, these degrees usually specialize in a particular area while also giving the student a broad exposure to the academic study of theology and/or religion.
These degrees are oriented primarily toward the classical disciplines such as biblical studies, theology, ethics or history. They are academic in nature and do not offer the same practical or experiential elements found in an M.Div. curriculum.
In most cases, these degrees have fewer course requirements than the M.Div. and take two years to complete.
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Advanced or Doctoral Degrees
Many schools offer advanced theological degrees beyond the master’s degree level. Even though fewer than five percent of students at theological educational institutions are enrolled in advanced degree programs, their presence in an institution can be significant.
Again, the Association of Theological Schools lists two categories for advanced or doctoral degrees:
- Ministerial Leadership
- Theological Research and Teaching
The most common advanced degree in ministerial leadership is the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). This degree is designed for students with the M.Div. who wish to further hone a particular skill or approach to ministry. Some schools offer a continuous M.Div.-to-D.Min. program wherein students can complete both degrees in a four- or five-year time span. Most D.Min. formats, however, require students to have extensive practical experience in a ministry setting before starting the program. Regardless, the D.Min. offers advanced skills and perspectives to ministers and can be a useful credential for denominational leadership at the regional and national levels.
Theological schools offer the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) for students whose primary interests are research, teaching or other endeavors in higher education. At university-related institutions, the Ph.D. may be offered through the graduate school rather than the theological school. It is also often the case that some of the same faculty teach in both institutions, though the advanced degrees may not be listed at the theological school.
In the theological and religious disciplines, completion of a master’s degree is preferred before applying to doctoral programs, though this may not be required in every program.
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What degree is right for me?
To choose the right school, there are many factors you will need to consider.
To choose the right degree, however, there is only one question that you need to ask: what are my plans following graduation?
As we noted in the introduction, theological education is preparation for serving and leading in the church. The degree you choose should prepare you for the kind of service and leadership you are contemplating.
Below are a few guidelines that you may find helpful in discerning the right degree for you. In each section there are one or more personal statements. Read each one and find the one that best describes you.
General Theological Studies
“I am certain that I want to teach or pursue an advanced degree in an academic facet of theology, like biblical studies or the philosophy of religion. I’m active in my church but I don’t ever see myself working as a pastor or minister.”
If this sounds like you, then a degree in general theological studies may be your best choice. You will have two years of intensive immersion in a particular theological subject. You may also have the opportunity – or requirement – to write a master’s thesis to demonstrate your mastery of the subject.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind, however. Even though a degree in general theological studies is designed to prepare students for advanced study, the Association of Theological Schools still recommends the M.Div. as the best preparation for an advanced theological degree because of the breadth of content that students encounter. Within general theological studies, you will be asked to specialize in a particular field, so you may not have the opportunity to experience the full range of theological study.
Specialized Ministry Degrees
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If any of these statements sound like you, then you may want to consider a degree in a specialized area of ministry. You will acquire knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to the ministry that you want to do. In general, the degree programs are shorter so you will be able to get into the work you want to do more quickly. You may also be able to take courses part-time or online so you can keep working and develop real world experience in your profession.
When you enter a theological school, you are entering a truly unique institution where intellectual rigor, experiential learning and personal faith intermingle.
Keep in mind that, while you are certain of your professional interests at present, people’s interests evolve and change as they work in a field. If you think that you may be interested in ordination one day, a degree in a specialized ministry may not meet the ordination requirements in your denomination or tradition.
Master of Divinity
“I’ve experienced a call to full-time pastoral ministry. My home congregation and the Commission on Ministry have approved my candidacy for ordination and I am excited about starting seminary.”
“I’ve thought about being a pastor but I might want to teach religion or be a college chaplain. I’ve spent the last few summers in Guatemala working at a school for Mayan children and I really wish churches were more involved in helping developing countries. So much is possible.”
If you are certain of your interest in ordination or pastoral ministry, then the Master of Divinity is your best choice. Its primary purpose is to educate and train students to lead congregations and communities of faith. You will receive a solid grounding in a broad range of academic subjects and hands-on experience in the art of ministry. An M.Div. won’t teach you with everything you need to know about being a pastor but it will give you a firm foundation for learning on the job.
The M.Div., though, is not just for students preparing for ordained ministry. With an M.Div., many students pursue advanced degrees in theological disciplines or professions in teaching, chaplaincy, counseling, nonprofit and community agencies – and even business.
In any given year, there are approximately 35,000 students enrolled at a master’s level in accredited theological schools in the U.S. and Canada. By far, the majority (70%) are enrolled in a Master of Divinity program. This is because the M.Div. provides the broadest experience in theological education and, with it, you can pursue almost any path in ministry or related professions.
Finally, if you don’t have any idea what you might do after you graduate, put off exploring theological schools for now and take some time to figure out what are your deepest interests and passions.
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Flexible Formats 
As theological students grow more diverse, many schools are introducing a range of flexible formats that make degree programs more accessible for students who cannot attend school full-time. A number of denominational schools also have tracks or degree programs designed especially for ordination candidates for whom a traditional degree program may be difficult or out of reach.
Here are a few options that may be offered by schools you are considering:
- Part-time Enrollment – If you live near a seminary, you may be able to take one or two courses each semester while you continue to work or fulfill other commitments.
- Extension Sites – Some schools operate satellite campuses to make courses and degrees accessible to students who cannot move to the main campus for an extended period.
- Online or Distance Education – An increasing number of schools are offering programs that allow a student to complete the majority of coursework online in conjunction with short-term, intensive courses on-campus.
For a list of theological schools with online programs, visit the Distance Education page on the website of the Association of Theological Schools.
These flexible formats may be a great opportunity if your circumstances make it difficult to relocate or enroll full-time. There are, however, a few considerations to keep in mind.
There will be financial trade-offs. You may reduce direct costs such as tuition or living expenses by pursuing the degree over a longer period of time and by continuing to work full-time. Scholarships and financial aid, however, are generally limited to full-time students, so you will pay full tuition for your course work.
In a flexible format program, you will not have the same spiritual formation that full-time students experience through studying, worshiping and living in a seminary community. You will also have less opportunity for social interaction with your classmates and many students find that the relationships they develop during seminary are as important to their preparation for ministry as the curriculum itself. Ask prospective schools how they attend to the spiritual and social formation of their students in flexible formats.
Check the schedule of courses offered in the flexible format to make sure the courses you want are available. Extension sites and online formats, in particular, may have far fewer options than a full-time degree program on the main campus.
All accredited degree programs require at least one year of residential study on the school's primary campus. This may requirement may be fulfilled in short, intensive blocks of time but students should factor in this time and cost when comparing traditional and flexible degree formats.
For part-time programs, the school may have a completion deadline – a timeframe within which all requirements must be completed to qualify for the degree.
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