Seminary

Theological school for training ordained and lay leaders of the church. Those seeking to be ordained typically participate in a three-year course of studies leading to the Master of Divinity degree. First-year students are called “juniors,” second-year students are called “middlers,” and third-year students are called “seniors.” In addition to providing theological instruction and assisting with vocational formation, the seminary faculty evaluate the suitability of those seeking ordination for the ministries they seek. Some seminary students who do not intend to be ordained seek theological education for vocations such as work in Christian education or other forms of service. Many seminaries have also developed specialized programs in such areas as Christian education, congregational development, and Christian spirituality. These expanded programs are attended by clergy and laity seeking training for ministry and continuing education. The scope of these offerings varies from weekend seminars to extension courses to graduate-level degree programs. The accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church are the General Theological Seminary, New York City; the Berkeley Divinity School, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Bexley Hall at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, New York; the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, California; the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas; Nashotah House, Nashotah, Wisconsin; the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia; School of Theology, the School of Theology, the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee; Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois; and Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania. All Episcopal seminaries are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (A.T.S.).