How do I Choose the Best Presbyterian Seminary?

Making good choices about attending a Presbyterian seminary is often a matter of considering the ordination requirements of your denomination, a school's curriculum and reputation, plus its location and cost. It is also important to consider your goals in attending seminary. If you plan to go to a Presbyterian seminary because you wish to be ordained for public ministry, your considerations may be very different than if you attend seminary to prepare for an academic or non-ordained ministry.

There are numerous Presbyterian denominations that operate independently of each other. Many operate their own seminaries, though they may recognize and approve of education received at other schools. If you plan on being ordained, ask your denomination for a list of approved seminaries. If you don't, you could end up attending a Presbyterian seminary that is not recognized by your denomination. This could delay or completely derail your ordination plans and ministry career.

If you don't plan on ordination, ensuring that the seminary you attend is approved by your denomination is less important, though it is still a consideration. For example, if you plan on a career in Christian education or pastoral counseling, agencies and churches that might hire you may be interested in the seminary you attended. If you graduated from a Presbyterian seminary that is more theologically conservative or liberal than your denomination or the denomination offering you employment, you may be asked to explain your choice of school.

Other considerations include a school's reputation and curriculum offerings. If you plan on a career in urban ministry, a school in an urban area with plenty of opportunities for ministry training and experience is likely to be a good choice. You should also verify that your Presbyterian seminary is accredited by the appropriate government body or private accreditation body. If you plan on an academic career, make sure that the school offers coursework and degrees in your area of interest.

Ask each Presbyterian seminary that you contact about its tuition and fees. You should also ask about its financial aid programs. Many schools offer in-house financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships, while others may simply have lower tuition rates. Location is also a factor. If you or your spouse needs to work while you attend seminary, it's important to check the employment opportunities in the area where the seminary is located.