After years of confusion and debate, I think I have decided that I want to teach in a seminary. I have lots of questions about it and am not sure where to start. Do I need to be ordained? What educational degrees do I need? I already have an MA in English and an MS in management; do I need an MA in theology in order to pursue a PhD in theology? Some university websites I have visited seem to imply that any master's degree will do for me to apply to the PhD. What do I actually need to do?
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It is usual for most professors at Episcopal seminaries to hold both an M.Div. and a PhD or ThD. Whether you should apply to PhD programs or to MDiv programs depends on your particular area of specialization, and upon your level of preparation in that particular area. Most seminary professors are also ordained ministers. The MDiv is the usual path toward ordination. But again, it depends on your intended focus. If Church History is your intended area of specialization, an MA in history (with a focus on European religious history, or Reformation history, or Late Antiquity in the Ancient Near East, for example) would be an adequate preparation for application to a PhD program. (Less relevant Masters degrees do not really prepare students for application directly to PhD programs. For example, you'll likely need either Greek or Hebrew AND either French or German to be considered a serious candidate for a PhD program. You can pick up Greek and Hebrew while doing an MDiv. I assume you already have either French or German.) If Pastoral Theology is your intended focus, an MDiv is essential. If Systematic Theology is your intended focus, then I'd also strongly recommend an MDiv first. Same with Biblical Studies. You should really contact places like EDS (Episcopal Divinity School in Massachusetts) and speak to someone in admissions about your intended focus. They will surely have great advice for you as well.
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