Accredited Theological Seminary Schools

Most theological students attend seminary to serve as a pastor of a church.

The seminary is the beginning of instruction for many people who feel a call to ministry and service. There are also people who attend seminary merely to increase their knowledge of the bible and how to function in ministry. Accredited theological seminaries ensure that students receive legitimate degrees that will be recognized by the religious community. Many religious communities only accept ministers in their churches who have received formal ministry training and possess credentials from a recognized religious institution.

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University offers a master's degree in divinity, a master's degree in theological study and a doctorate of ministry.The master of divinity program prepares men and women for pastoral services in local churches. Courses include new and old testament studies, sermon preparation, pastoral counseling and additional studies in hermeneutics. The master of theological study (MTS) program prepares men and women for service in para-church organizations, Christian publishing and service ministries. Students have the option of earning the MTS degree online through the Palmer Theological Seminary. This program includes a majority of course material online with at least six residency sessions each year held on campus and at churches in partnership with the seminary.

Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology

The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology offers a master'd degree in divinity, a master's in Christian education and a doctorate of ministry. The master of divinity degree is a three-year professional degree that prepares men and women for leadership roles in ministry and religious institutions. Coursework includes introduction to sermon preparation, church and ministry, systematic theology, church administration and biblical studies.The master of Christian education degree program is a two-year professional degree that prepares individuals for ministry in Christian education and Christian publishing. Coursework includes Christian education courses, curriculum and theory and church and ministry. The doctor of ministry degree program prepares individuals for leadership in the religious community with a focus on the cultural context of the congregation that the individual serves. Coursework includes two annual residency sessions focusing on leadership, research and writing and church ministry.

Yale University Divinity School

Yale University Divinity School offers degree programs to get a master of divinity, a master of arts of religion and a master of sacred theology. The master of divinity degree prepares individuals for ordination and ministry in the local church. The program is a three-year professional study that focuses on the old and new testament studies, theological studies and Christian ethics. The master of sacred theology is a professional degree that prepares individuals who will serve in chaplain positions, university or college ministry or urban ministries. The master of arts of religion degree program prepares men and women for lay ministry within the local church. Individuals receive training in Hebrew and Greek text, church ethics and historical studies.

Payne Theological Seminary

Payne Theological Seminary was founded in 1844 and is part of the oldest African-American denomination in the United States, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Payne Theological Seminary offers degree programs for the master of divinity and doctorate of ministry. The master of divinity is a three-year professional degree program that prepares individuals for training in Christian ministry, pastoral ministry, chaplaincy and counseling. Coursework includes African-American studies, biblical studies, theological studies and practical ministry. A special feature of Payne Theological Seminary is the mMaster of divinity online program, which allows students to complete a majority of the degree program online in addition to two residency sessions each year.The doctor of ministry is a three-year program with a specific emphasis on individuals learning ministry from a global perspective in the context of the African experience. The program includes a partnership with Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, Washington.

References

• The Association of Theological Schools: Denominational Index of Member Schools
• Palmer Theological Seminary: Index
• Virginia Union School: Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology
• Yale Divinity School: Programs of Study
• Payne Theological Seminary