What Is Seminary? What You Study and How It Works

A seminary is a graduate school that trains men and women for ministry and for deeper study of Scripture and theology. Students usually start after a bachelor's degree and earn a master's degree such as the Master of Divinity. At Knox Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary founded in 1989, every degree can be completed fully online.

What You Study at Seminary

Seminary study works through four areas:

• Biblical studies: surveys of the Old and New Testaments, hermeneutics and, for pastors, Greek and Hebrew.
• Theology: systematic theology and ethics.
• History: the history of Christianity from the early Church to today.
• Ministry practice: preaching, worship, pastoral care and supervised ministry.

That is the shape of the Knox Master of Divinity, which is built to form ministers who are, in Knox's words, "biblically saturated, theologically discerning, historically rooted, and contextually sensitive."

What Degrees Does a Seminary Offer?

Knox offers four degrees accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS):

• Master of Divinity (MDiv): 90 credits, the professional degree for pastors.
• Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MABTS): 60 credits, an academic degree.
• Master of Arts (Christian and Classical Studies) (MACCS): 48 credits, for Christian, classical and home educators and leaders.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin): 30 credits, for pastors already serving.

Knox also offers five certificates of about one year each.

How Online Seminary Works

At an online seminary you study from home and stay in your church and job. At Knox, courses are asynchronous. A 3-credit course typically runs eight weeks. Each week you work through readings, video lectures and usually a quiz or paper, then submit by the end of the week. Knox enrolls year-round. See how Knox's online seminary works.

Is Seminary Free?

Not usually, and not at Knox. Knox tuition is $670 per credit hour for master's degrees and certificates and $755 for the DMin, and Knox lists every rate and fee. Knox does not accept federal student loans. Through the Church Partnership Program, tuition is split three ways between your church, Knox donors and you. Eligibility and terms apply.