I'm looking at seminaries...What Should I Ask?

Questions You Should Ask as an Adult Entering Seminary

When looking at seminaries, most prospective students know to ask questions about location, tuition cost, size, student population, housing, etc. Although these are all important factors, other questions can better help match you with the right seminary.

No two seminaries are alike. Each one has its own unique emphases, philosophy, and theology. It is very important for you to compare your own needs, views, and goals with what the school believes and offers. Students who neglect to ask certain questions may find themselves in intimidating or disagreeable situations after they have already enrolled.

Our goal here is not to persuade you towards certain seminaries, but to help equip you to efficiently match yourself with the right seminary for you.

Questions to Ask Faculty & Other Representatives

• What are the student demographics?
• Where are your alumni working? (Get stats if possible).
• Why has the seminary chosen/not chosen to identify
  with a certain denomination?
• What is the primary function of the seminary?
  (e.g., training, education, etc.).
• Who financially supports the seminary?
• Who are the seminary’s heroes? What political and religious figures does the seminary applaud?
• What is the seminary’s stance on the ordination of women?
• Ask to read the seminary’s Code of Ethics.
• Does the seminary have a “Statement of Faith/Beliefs?” 
  (If so, ask to read it).
• What are professors required to sign or commit to
  in order to teach? (Ask to read any such documents).
• What is the process for approving a professor’s curriculum and textbooks? Are there any restrictions?
• Is there a certain translation of the Bible that
  most professors use? If so, is there a reason?

Questions to Ask Current Students

• What is the classroom environment like?  
  How much discussion is allowed?
• Who is your favorite professor? Why do you like him/her?
• What would you consider to be a controversial issue
  at this seminary?
• What is your view on women in ministry?
  Is your opinion in the majority or minority?
• What kinds of conversations did you hear among the students during the last presidential election? (Or, “What are students and professors saying about the current president?”)
• Would you consider the student population to be “diverse?”  Why or why not?
• Why did you choose this seminary?
• At this seminary, would you say that your faith has been mainly challenged or confirmed? What specifically has been challenged or confirmed?

Click here to see the degrees and programs offered by local seminaries and schools associated with the BGAV.

Recommended Reading

	Cetuk, Virginia.  What to Expect in Seminary.  Abingdon Press, 1998.
	Parker, Ronald E.  Do I Belong in Seminary?  The Alban Institute, 1998.