The decision to go to seminary can feel like a big step. For many who go to seminary, the education is part of a larger journey toward a call to lay or ordained ministry. At the same time, becoming a seminary student is a very personal step in your own personal faith journey.
Like any master’s degree, taking this leap can have a significant impact on your schedule and living situation. However, becoming a seminary student is unique from other graduate programs, in that it is an experience in both academic and spiritual growth. It’s vital to explore both the practical aspects of seminary alongside the spiritual development you’ll experience as you make decisions about pursuing a theological education.
What Is a Seminary Student?
Seminary students are individuals who are interested in digging in deeper to ideas and concepts about God, the Church, and humanity, and how the three are interconnected. They are students who are willing to ask questions and challenge themselves. One of the best aspects of following the calling to theological education is that ‘getting to know God’ becomes your full focus. While theology literally means ‘study of God,’ a theological education is much deeper and broader than that. Every class you take, every book you read, every homework assignment, and every paper you write centers around deepening your understanding and challenging you to think theologically about God, the Church, and humanity.
Every conversation with your professors and your peers helps you discover how to better communicate what you believe with clarity and confidence. You may find yourself singing hymns in class or starting each period with a word of prayer. Your professors are not only your academic guides, but are concerned with the wellness of your whole being, often offering prayers for students. A school of theology doesn’t just prepare you for ministry, but seeks to engage both the students’ faith journey, and challenge them to think deeply and theologically through academic rigor.
Like other master’s degrees, choosing to pursue a theological education can have a significant impact on your life. Thankfully, you have options! Of course, you’ll have to make a plan to work around class schedules, study times, commuting, and homework. Do you go full time or part time? Can you work it around your current job? All these questions are important to consider while you’re looking at going to seminary. This decision can be made easier if you are open to exploring online or hybrid seminary programs. The hybrid format can make theological education more accessible so you don’t have to commute or move cities to attend classes; and you can still meet up with peers for in-person intensive weeks. It really can be the best of both worlds!
"Being a full-time wife, mother, and pastor, the hybrid format has been invaluable! It has allowed me to balance my commitments to family, ministry, and personal growth in ways that wouldn’t be possible with a traditional, in-person format. Through my time at Perkins, I have been able to deepen my faith and grow in wisdom without compromising God’s calling over my life." Amanda Banda, M.Div. '27
What Theological Studies Will Teach You
Becoming a seminary student is both an honor and a responsibility. And like any other academic degree, you will get out of it what you put into it. The more you invest in your classwork, your reading assignments and your classmates, the more transformative your experience will be. Theological study teaches you not only the history of the church or helps you solidify what you believe, it also sets a rhythm for your life of integrating growth, empathy and knowledge into your daily experience.
It's an honor to grow close to God in a seminary setting, but your study should not place you in a silo. Theological study is about integrating all you learn back into your community, church, or wherever pasture you find yourself as shepherd. You may find that your time of study begins to change how you are viewed, as congregants or even friends may turn to you for your insight about God when they are sick, grieving or recovering.
Because of this, it’s important to take your studies seriously. What you learn will have a profound impact on how others perceive God and the Church. But don’t be afraid! Required classes are designed to prepare you for the most difficult conversations you’ll have as a minister.
Theological Study at Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is committed to covering what Christian ministers need to know to be successful leaders in the church of tomorrow. Our goal is to educate, equip, and empower students for faithful ministry and by doing so graduates go forth to strengthen the church, the academy, and world. Today’s church is in uncharted territory and Perkins looks to John Wesley and the history of the United Methodist Church to guide as a foundation for theological study.
Perkins classes emphasize the Wesleyan quadrilateral. You’ll be exposed to classes that emphasize scripture (biblical studies), tradition (church history), reason (systematic theology), and experience (practical theology). Even as the world changes around you, these four foundational principles will guide you as you lead the church in relevant teaching and practice across the course of your ministry.
- Biblical Studies: Covers the historical context and stories of the Bible.
- Church History: Explains why different denominations were created, what they believe, and how they practice Christianity.
- Systematic Theology: Explores how different theological beliefs fit together harmoniously.
- Practical Theology: Explores God’s work in different cultural and societal contexts and prepares you for leadership positions.
Depending on your degree, you may also take classes in the following areas:
- Biblical Languages: Covers translating Hebrew, Greek or Arameic.
- Preaching: Provides instruction and practice in giving engaging sermons.
- Christian Ethics: Provides a tour of Christian debates and explains how the topics can be approached.
- Worship: Educates on how to lead liturgy and the sacraments.
- World Regions: Provides an opportunity to study other religions and compare them to Christianity.
Internships are often included in the curriculum for seminary students, depending on the degree. This is an opportunity to experience how to apply classroom learning in a practical setting. At Perkins, internships come with a stipend and opportunities to meet with other classmates and faculty to debrief your context. If you are already serving in ministry, you may be able to arrange for your current position to stand in as your internship.
Perkins also offers you a variety of electives you can take, according to your calling and interests. Here is the 2024-2025 courses list from Perkins School of Theology as an example of the classes you might choose from at seminary.
The Personal and Professional Spiritual Transformation You’ll Experience
In addition to your academic formation, theological education works to create space for spiritual transformation in each class. You don’t grow closer to God just through reading books and entering discussion, but also by developing spiritual practices that daily affirm connection to God. Often, professors will start class with a word of prayer, meditation on scripture or a group hymn.
There are also specific courses or programs offered around spirituality and spiritual formation. These offerings are an opportunity to grow closer to God in a community of your peers, as you try out new practices together. Some common practices include: silence, imaginative prayer, lectio divina and visio divina, consolation and desolation, fasting or Sabbath. And while you are exploring new practices, you are also learning how to lead others in them so that you can guide a small group or congregation of your own in their spiritual journeys.
Spiritual Life at Perkins School of Theology
At Perkins School of Theology, spiritual life is incorporated into all that we do. One of the best examples, however, is our weekly chapel service. Worshiping in Perkins Chapel each week is a great way to participate in spiritual community. Services allow current students, graduates, faculty and guests of Perkins to lead worship for the school. Perkins has also introduced an Evensong service each week, where members of the community join together after dinner to worship.
Faculty are key to spiritual life at Perkins. They not only model robust Christian teaching but also demonstrate a rich contemplative life. In each class, professors lead their students in group prayer, worship, or meditation before diving into the lecture. This allows you to connect with God in the middle of everyday life and develop spiritual practices which will sustain you as you enter into ministry.
While at Perkins you will also have access to spaces and tools available to students to nurture their spiritual lives. In addition to Perkins Chapel, you will find a cozy prayer room in Selecman Hall. This room is supplied with comfy cushions; hymnals, Bibles, icons, and other spiritual aids; warm mood lighting; and soft music to aid you in your quiet time with God. It’s the perfect place to pray between classes, meditate on scripture, or simply to be.
The Ruben L.F. Habito Prayer Labyrinth is another wonderful place for contemplation. Located in the courtyard between Prothro and Selectman Halls, the labyrinth is an excellent place to pray while in motion. Not everyone likes to pray in complete stillness, prayer labyrinths, such as this, provide a river-like path to follow so you can pray, and leave your burdens behind you as you draw closer and closer to the center of the circular path and God’s heart.
Developing your Vocation and Becoming a Servant Leader
Seminary students also have the opportunity to develop professionally while at school. Not only do you have regular access to your professors, who are experts in theology, you also get to meet many important theological thought and denominational leaders. Seminaries will often invite representatives from partner denominations to talk to students. They will help you through the process of ordination and identify career opportunities. It's important to take advantage of the advice from people who are here to help you get ordained and start on a good footing with your future colleagues. Who knows, meeting with a visiting representative may set you on a new vocational journey?
In theological education, it is not uncommon for students to begin to compete for opportunities, entering into a ‘scarcity’ mindset. When students begin to replace their vocational calling with a careerist mentality, schools can forget to practice what they preach. That’s why the focus of any solid seminary should be learning to become like Jesus. In Christ, God, the Divine, chooses humility by becoming a person and living as a day laborer. Even when following began to amass around Christ, Jesus led by becoming a servant of all. John 13 gives perhaps the best depiction of servant leadership in Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. He shows them how to be servant leaders by example.
How Perkins Emphasizes Servant Leadership and Discernment
At Perkins, there is a painting on the ground floor of the building that holds all our classrooms. As students go to class each day, they pass the painting that depicts Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. You can see the shock and amazement in their eyes to have someone who is so much more worthy of lavish service than they being the one to offer them the kindness of service. This scene shows the special place servant leadership holds in the Perkins community. When you’re at seminary, keep an eye out for the students and professors who don’t only talk about God’s love but show it through servant leadership. Better yet, become a servant leader yourself. In a program full of people serving one another, we hope becoming a servant leader like Jesus becomes second nature.
At Perkins School of Theology, we keep this painting in the hallway as a daily reminder of what we are called to do. We seek to become a portrait of Jesus which opens up the classrooms, the dining hall, the library, and the offices to be spaces of service, love, and grace. Each professor, administrator, and student wants you to pursue your calling and to do so as a reflection of Jesus.
As you discern what your ministry will look like, remember that seminary is not a destination, but simply part of your journey toward becoming the person God created you to be. It can be easy to wait to take the first step toward seminary until you ”have it all figured out.” But that just isn’t how discernment works. Discernment is a long road you walk down with God at your side. God slowly reveals the path as you walk it. Don’t make the mistake of waiting to apply for seminary until the whole path is revealed to you. Only when you say yes to the next step God is encouraging you to take will you be able to see the next one.
Many Perkins students discover the ministry they are called to while they are attending classes. Often their call is to something they’d never even heard of before they started graduate school. So much of seminary is about allowing experts to help you experience new forms of ministry and dreaming about how you can give that experience to others. Open yourself up to new possibilities by simply taking the first step.
Applying to Seminary
Beginning your application to seminary can be daunting, but don’t let fear and self-doubt control you. God called you to ministry for a reason, so have faith and start your application by following these easy steps.
Choosing a Seminary Degree
A Master of Divinity is considered standard for those wishing to pursue ordination in most mainline Protestant denominations. If you are pursuing ministry as a pastor or chaplain, this degree may be a requirement.
For others, you may want to explore the benefits of other degrees in ministry. Browse this interactive guide to look at the degree programs Perkins School of Theology has to offer.
Starting Your Application to Perkins School of Theology
At Perkins, the application process generally includes the following:
- Biographical Information: Personal information, citizenship status and your denominational affiliation.
- Academic History: Submit official transcript(s).
- Recommendation Letters: Generally a personal, pastoral and academic recommendation.
- Resume: Include work experience, educational background and volunteer ministry experience.
- Essays: Several pages that tell your unique story, calling and life situation.
- Writing Sample: An essay or academic paper on your chosen field of study.
Look at Perkins School of Theology’s Application Requirements page for more details.
General Tips for Perkins Application Essays and Writing Samples that Communicate Your Ministry Goals
When you apply to Perkins School of Theology you will be asked to respond to a handful of questions. Although essay questions can feel daunting, breaking them down into what each question is really getting at can help narrow your focus. As you write your Perkins application, keep these concepts in mind.
Call Stories. Perkins will ask you to write about your call to ministry. This is an invitation to share not only how you were called but what you are called to and how Perkins in particular will help you on your journey. After you share a brief summary of your call story, focus the bulk of your writing on how a seminary education at Perkins will help you live into your calling. Remember your call is not a destination, but something that God reveals one step at a time. How will Perkins be a tool God uses to shape your call?
Specificity. Perkins is assessing if you’ll be an ideal candidate for our program. We want to know if Perkins’ strengths align with your goals and abilities. Spend time on the Perkins website. In your essays, explain how our unique programs, concentrations, or even individual professors will help you grow if you attend. Additionally, you’ll want to include the perspectives that have made you want to apply to Perkins. Reference specific theologians and books that have shaped your perspective on God, creation, and your goals in ministry.
Academic Writing. You’re applying to a master’s level program, so your writing should be refined. Make sure your writing is clear, concise, free of grammatical errors and that you cited your sources correctly. Do a quick grammar check through a software and have someone with a high level of education read it for clarity.
Writing Sample. Depending on your degree, Perkins may require you to include a writing sample in your application. As you prepare to write, choose an academic, theology topic that aligns with your degree, concentration and call. Select and read two to three primary sources on the topic. Create a thesis that you can provide evidence for in the required word count and that is a reasonable conclusion based on your sources. Save time by choosing a topic you’re knowledgeable in and have written about in the past.
Answering the Call of God, and Choosing a Ministerial Vocation
Having a call to ministry may mean you know exactly what vocation you are called to when you graduate from seminary. But many students start their seminary education with only a vague idea of what God is calling them to. Many people start classes simply knowing God is calling them to seminary itself , and use their time to discern what God has next.
There are a lot of creative options when it comes to careers in ministry, but most people are called into one of these categories: pastor, chaplain, missionary, academic theologian, theology communicator, worship leader, non-profit leaders, spiritual director, Christian counselor or lay leader. To find out more about these vocations or how to discern which one is right for you, read our article Am I Being Called to Ministry.
Start Your Seminary Student Journey at Perkins
If you’re thinking about becoming a seminary student, don’t bog yourself down by overthinking every detail. Just take the first step. It’s always easier to discern if something is right for you when you start gathering information.
At Perkins, you can prepare for ministry, pursue academic excellence or explore vocational fulfillment in a nurturing environment. To get started, reach out to an admissions counselor, take a campus tour or even submit an application. We’re here to support your journey — every step of the way.
