Being called to combine spiritual strength with professional talent is a true blessing, but answering that call isn’t always straightforward. This is especially true for people whose journeys with Christ bring them to seminaries — graduate and postgraduate-level institutions that put as much emphasis on ministry as they do on book learning.
Figuring out how to choose a seminary can be daunting. What kind of degree should people in different faith-based fields pursue? Will a seminary’s atmosphere build and challenge one’s faith in enlightening ways? And, just as importantly, is going to seminary a professionally practical decision?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 43% of all workers with theology degrees have advanced degrees like the ones seminaries offer. These degrees can be big investments, so to help prospective seminary students make well-informed decisions, here are three things they should consider as they respond to God’s call.
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How to Choose a Seminary Degree
Choose A Seminary Program That Fits Your Calling
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.”
When figuring out how to choose a seminary, it’s important for prospective students to consider which degree is the most relevant to their calling. Each calling has its own responsibilities and requirements, but fortunately, seminaries offer degree tracks that can prepare students to serve Christ in different yet equally important capacities.
Master of Divinity
For people whose walks with God lead them to ordained ministry, getting a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree can be an important step. To prepare students to become ministers, pastors, or priests, MDivs provide academic theological education and real-world ministry opportunities over the course of a three or four year program. Many seminaries also offer residency programs where students can work in churches or other Christian organizations.
On top of opening doors to Christian leadership roles, a Master of Divinity can prepare students to earn Doctorates in Christian studies, become high-level Christian scholars, and enter any number of non-ordained church leadership roles.
Like other forms of higher education, an MDiv is a financial and time commitment. However, because Master of Divinity degrees are so versatile, about 40% of all seminary students choose them according to the Association of Theological Schools.
Master of Theology
Master of Theology (ThM or MTh) degrees are often more research-oriented and academic than their MDiv counterparts. Whereas an MDiv course load may focus on the social, real-world contexts of faith, ThM curriculum is often centered on historical and educational aspects.
In that way, Master of Theology programs can be a little more in-depth. They can help Christian scholars become experts in apologetics, church doctrine, Christian anthropology, and other faith-oriented scholarly subjects. Like a Master in Divinity, ThM programs prepare students for careers in college-level Christian academia and is often a step in acquiring a Doctorate in Christian studies.
Some Master of Theology programs require students to have a Master’s degree in Divinity, but many require only a bachelor’s degree. Depending on course requirements, a ThM can take anywhere between two and four years.
Master of Arts
Not every walk with Christ leads to ordained ministry or Doctorate-level theological studies. Some people’s talents are better suited for church support roles or for doing vital community ministry. For this group, earning a Master of Arts (MA) degree at a seminary could be an enlightening pursuit.
Seminary MA programs can often be finished in two years, online, or on a part-time basis. This can be great for working professionals that would like to use their talents in ministry or people already involved in ministry that would like to expand their roles.
For instance, a primary or secondary school teacher could pursue a Master of Religious Education so they can be prepared to work in Christian schools. A therapist may want to help families with both personal and spiritual struggles. The education provided by a Master of Arts in Family Ministry can give them the tools to do so.
The world of seminary Master of Arts programs is expansive, but some of the most popular programs help students prepare for faith-based careers in:
Working in some of these areas of ministry might require education and experience in other fields (social work, teaching, foreign languages, etc.), but when combined with a strong background in Christian studies, such careers can transform from mere jobs into rich vocations.
Remember That Faculty and Seminary Culture Are Important
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
How to choose a seminary isn’t just a question of what a seminary teaches, but who teaches it and the nature of the social environment. While faith is often a personal connection between God and each of His individual children, when His children come together, it can be much more than that.
Faculty Can Enrich One’s Faith In New, Exciting Ways
Though many potential seminary students belong to established Christian denominations, not all of them do. Remember that all denominations, however, approach Scripture and modern Christian life with different outlooks. A non-denominational seminary may have a different culture than a Presbyterian, Reformed, or Baptist one. Whatever seminary a student chooses, they may want to choose one that somewhat aligns with their beliefs.
However, challenging one’s faith in a supportive atmosphere can be rewarding. A faculty well-versed in non-Christian philosophy may help students discover aspects of faith they’ve never considered. When parts of the curriculum focus on other world religions, students may see their own faith in a new light.
For seminary students who feel called to lead missionary organizations, choosing a seminary with a diverse faculty and student body can be key. By building connections through Christ with people from around the world, doing His work can be a true act of love, empathy, and understanding.
A Seminary’s Culture Extends Beyond the Classroom
When researching how to choose a seminary, it can be easy to forget about non-educational components. But whether a student chooses to take full-time, part-time, online, or on-campus courses, their peers and extracurricular activities can be a defining part of the experience.
Some seminaries are residential and host rich, faith-centered social clubs. Others are more like commuter campuses where students live in their own homes — a feature that may be attractive to students with busy lives. Campuses in large cities or near other religious institutions may have robust volunteer and residency programs.
Even online seminary programs have their own social benefits. In digital spaces, students can interact with Christian scholars and students from all over the world. At the same time, online students can maintain strong relationships with their existing support networks and parishes.
Any of these features are perfectly valid criteria that influence how to choose a seminary. After all, when people are empowered to live Christ-like lives on a social level, their spiritual lives can flourish.
Don’t Neglect The Practical Sides of a Spiritual Education
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Attending seminary is usually an answer to a higher calling. However, that doesn’t mean students should forget about more practical affairs when determining how to choose a seminary. Rectifying spiritual matters with more worldly ones may take some time and prayer, but making a checklist of realistic considerations can be an informative part of the process.
For example, when choosing which seminary to attend or which kind of degree to pursue, ask:
- Are full-time or part-time classes better for my schedule? Do I have time for work, family, church, and my studies?
- Will getting an online seminary degree or an on-campus one meet my educational, spiritual, and social needs?
- Which seminaries fit my budget best?
- Will moving to another town be an enriching experience or should I seek a program closer to home?
- Which degree aligns most with my career goals and calling?
At this point, figuring out how to choose a seminary isn’t much different than choosing a medical school, law school, or business school. But being practical about the decision doesn’t reduce one’s calling to a business decision. It’s a pragmatic way of determining the exact nature of your future as a steward of God’s creation.
Explore the Rich World of Seminaries and Christian Degree Programs
It’s always the right time to answer God’s call, to lead a life of spiritual fulfillment that strengthens your own faith and brings light to the world. But today, there are more ways to answer that call than ever before.
After taking stock of your needs, talents, and circumstances, continue your walk with Christ by exploring 50 of the best online and campus-based Master of Divinity programs offered in the United States. If you’re looking for more flexible options, check out some of our editor’s picks for high-quality yet affordable online and on-campus Master of Divinity programs. No matter the nature of God’s plan for you, there could be a seminary out there that puts that plan in action.
