Several of the world’s universities offer religious coursework even if a majority of the education offered is secular in nature; however, many students want to further expand their spiritual focus and how much attention they pay to it and decide to attend a seminary or theological school. There are hundreds of these types of places of higher learning in this country alone with a considerable number also being located elsewhere in the world.
Etymology
This word dates to the Middle Ages when it described an area of land where seeds were planted and later grew into plants. Today, it describes students’ spiritual growth as they go through the programs as well as the expansion of religious ideals and principles.
What Can You Study?
A seminary is a school that is usually, but not always, part of a secular-focused institution that offers coursework and degrees in theological studies. These can include classes on the Bible in the case of Christian-focused seminaries, history of the religion being studied, examination of religious text and ethics. Practical courses are usually offered as well; these involve learning about become a spiritual leader and getting closer to that religion’s higher being or beings and helping others do so as well.
What Is Not Offered?
However, there are many things that seminaries do not offer. They cannot guarantee that those going through the program are upstanding people, and they do not provide hands-on experience with congregations, which should be done while completing the program and afterwards. Also, the student’s relationship with the religion’s higher body is a very personal one that can vary quite a bit from person to person although this coursework can definitely help strengthen it.
Why Should I Attend a Seminary?
What is learned while attending this type of education does provide tools not as easily found elsewhere, and significant benefits result from being immersed in this type of schooling. What you learn here will provide you with an impressive foundation of knowledge that you can pull from to help you react to any spiritual situations you encounter.
Accreditation
In the United States, the Department of Education recognizes these entities that accredit religiously focused institutions: Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools and Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
Attending Seminary
Those considering attending seminary should be constantly studying life, how people interact with each other and how spirituality plays into that. Engage in ministerial work if possible. When selecting a school, you should first look at the lists of accredited schools from one or more of the accrediting agencies listed above. However, do not simply rule out others if they fit your desires and where you believe you should be, but do note that if your chosen institution is not accredited, it may be difficult to continue your studies after your time there is completed. Either way, ensure that things like its faculty, library, student life, financial aid and theological commitments fit your desires and needs.
Just like with any other scholastic major or focus, realize that just because you have a spiritual focus in your coursework does not necessarily mean that you are locked into that type of life following your time there as several students head into a variety of professions afterwards. But a seminary is a great option for those who simply want to learn more about spirituality and to better incorporate it into their lives.
