Full Answer
Seminary is hard academically. A Master’s level education in theology, biblical studies and ministry is no cake walk. Compared to your undergraduate program, the reading load is heavier, the writing demands are greater, and the thinking required is more difficult and abstract.
Over the years, a number of so-called rules of thumb have been developed, but the truth is that the number of hours you will need to study per class will depend upon the difficulty of the class and how efficiently you study. Taking a good look at these two factors can give you a reasonable idea of how much time you will need to budget for studying.
After completing the Basic Course of Study, a local pastor may choose to continue the process toward provisional membership through the Advanced Course of Study. It includes 32 hours of master’s level education in a seminary recognized by the University Senate. It must include studies in United Methodist history, doctrine and polity.
You should probably allow 3 hours per week to read/listen to the online content for each course you take. This doesn't include assignments outside of class. Graduate study is more demanding than undergraduate study, so you should plan for 3 hours offline prep for every hour you spend “in class.”
It includes 32 hours of master’s level education in a seminary recognized by the University Senate.
While the exact scheduling format varies by region, all schools are required to have a minimum of 80 contact hours with students. In this time, local pastor candidates receive clergy mentors, are assessed for basic skills and receive instruction in pastoral competencies and Methodist tradition.
For the curious student, the wide range of seminary courses is one of the most exciting things about attending seminary. Here is just a quick overview of the types of courses you'll study during your seminary training.
Since the main purpose of a seminary or divinity school is to prepare students for ministry in the church, you would expect to study the art and practice of preaching - that's homiletics.
Church History. Most seminaries will require at least two courses in church history, focusing on not only the development of doctrine and the importance of specific theologians and other figures, but also on the growth of the church itself, its missionary practices, and its relationship to the surrounding culture.
Aquinas, Kierkegaard). In seminary-based philosophy courses you will deal with questions of God's existence, the problem of evil, free-will vs determinism, and other serious questions.
Many seminaries require and all (as far as I know) offer biblical languages - Hebrew and Greek. Even if the school does not require languages for graduation, they are often requirements in one's governing body or local church. Many seminaries offer introductory biblical languages during an accelerated summer term.
Released time is an option where students leave campus to attend a religious course funded by parents or churches. Courses are generally taught by paid, professionally trained teachers employed by the Church Education System’s Seminary and Institutes program in a nearby purpose-built structure.
If there is a daily or early morning Seminary program in your area, don’t plan on hearing about this top secret program without pressing. When I volunteered to teach an online course after my regular class, the “official” online program was described to me like this:
Before/after school club – In this case, like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Seminary would be operated like a school club and follow school rules. Classes could meet on campus before or after school.
I’ve hesitated to post this information because I’m afraid of the flood of information that might ensue. Please not the following:
How much time will a master's-level course take? Most graduate courses are 3 credits. Traditionally, in 3-credit face-to-face courses you are in class 3 hours per week. You should probably allow 3 hours per week to read/listen to the online content for each course you take.
For each course, you should probably estimate: 9 hours doing the related readings, papers, etc. How much you need to study will vary, of course.
Figure two hours of study time for every credit hour for elective classes or classes in subjects that come easier for you. Plan four hours a week for every credit hour for difficult classes and three hours for the classes that fall somewhere in the middle.
Conventional wisdom holds that a B student should plan two hours of study each week for every credit hour and an A student should hit the books for three hours per week for every credit hour earned. This isn’t necessarily bad advice. However, most classes don’t require that much studying, and some actually require more.
That’s 24 hours of homework per week, leaving Gail with 16 hours per week for other things, which is a little more than two hours a day. That’s not a lot of time, especially if Gail has to do work study to pay for college. She could cut back on the sleep, but that’s not healthy. Of course, these are average numbers.
Gail is taking four classes online. As stated, she has 76 hours with which to work. Budgeting her time, and shooting for an A in every class, she studies three hours per week for each of her credits. That adds up to 36 hours a week of study, leaving her with 40 hours for other things, which equates to a little less than six hours a day.
You can dramatically reduce the amount of time you need to spend studying by studying at the right time. Allow yourself a half-hour before each log-in to review your notes and downloads from previous classes and schedule a half-hour after each log-in to go over what you have just learned. This will trim hours from your weekly study schedule. Each week, review all online notes and downloads, personal notes and old tests or quizzes. Read your textbook as you go along. It will make it much easier to understand the work. Complete all assignments by the date on the syllabus, even if they aren’t due until the class ends. These steps will usually take much less than the traditionally recommended 2-4 hours of study each week. However, you will need to schedule in extra study time before tests and quizzes.
You will spend roughly three hours in class per class each week. A standard load is 12 credits, which is usually four classes. That means that you will spend 36 hours per week in class, leaving you 76 hours for study and other things.
Online study gives people the option to do things are their own pace and still maintain their lives with minimal disruption. When it comes to graduate school, the workload will be much more intense.
As a professional degree, it is designed for people who are active ministry practitioners. A doctorate can open professional doors for you. Many larger churches give preference to pastoral candidates with doctorates, and overall, the credential adds gravitas to your resume.
Doctoral study is, in the words of Tolkien, “a hard path and a dangerous path, a crooked way and a lonely and a long. ”. Before you venture out, understand there are questions associated with doctoral study that require clear answers. Here are some of them:
Either way, getting a doctorate is like buying a car. You can purchase a Chevy or a Lamborghini.